Sweet Winter Mornings

N rural Bangladesh, it's quite a common thing to see farmers chipping off trunks of date trees in winter evenings, driving a tube through the fresh cuts, and hanging a pitcher. Overnight, the pitcher fills up with a delicious gift of nature. The sweet juice harvested in the morning is a real treat. It is used for making molasses, a key ingredient in the traditional pithas you so love. But a glass or two of this fresh, raw date juice is something to look forward to in chilly winter mornings. The photos were taken from Khajura in Jessore late last month. Photo: Rashed Shumon