Air Nira a natural drink derived from the fresh nectar or sap of palm trees (coconut, nipah palm, sugar palm etc.), is a popular beverage in Malaysia, particularly in the eastern and northeastern states of Peninsular Malaysia. Tappers collect the sap by cutting the flowers of palm trees and extracting the sweet liquid.

Malaysia is renowned for its palm sugar, which is produced by slowly boiling the palm sap. With an abundance of palm trees in the country, it was only a matter of time before someone discovered that the freshly collected sap could be a refreshing thirst quencher and a potential source of income.

The fresh sap tends to be very sweet and non-alcoholic. Due to natural yeasts in the air (often spurred by residual yeast left in the collecting container), palm sap will start its fermenting process after collection, turning its high sugar content into alcohol and lactic acids. The tappers have learned to add a tiny pieces of cengal tree barks into the collecting container to inhibit fermentation. Putting the collected sap onto an ice bath will also slow down the fermentation.Placing the collected sap in an ice bath also slows down the fermentation process. If left to ferment, the sap can become highly alcoholic and sour, which can then be sold as alcohol or vinegar.

In states like Kelantan and Terengganu, Air Nira is also known as “tuak.” It is non-alcoholic or low in alcohol content, suitable for consumption by the majority Muslim population in those areas. However, it’s important to note that the term “tuak” typically refers to non-Halal alcoholic rice or palm wines in other regions like Borneo or Indonesia, causing some confusion.

In addition to its refreshing taste and ability to quench thirst, Air Nira is believed to have medicinal properties, including relieving stomach pain, reducing fever, and strengthening the body. The demand for Air Nira significantly increases during the fasting month. To ensure it is sold quickly before extensive fermentation occurs, it is commonly sold in jugs, bottles, or plastic bags at palm plantations or roadside stalls.