I recently bought cooked food items at a local hypermarket. The food concerned was quite tasty and reasonably priced.
As with a lot of good concepts, sometimes the potential is very much reduced by the attitudes of the staff who face the customers. I am referring to the staff who manned this food counter, especially the older Malay lady who cooked the food. Her attitude left much to be desired, in fact it bordered on the outright rude. On the first occasion when I enquired if the food were ready at around 11.30am, she brusquely replied 'lepas pukul dua belas!' - (after 12.00 pm!). Okay, so I was early – it wasn't my fault to ask. On the second occasion, I asked her if a particular dish was chicken or fish, she practically shouted “ikan!” (fish!) at me. I had to ask her as the dish was non-descript – I couldn't tell if it was chicken or fish. Was it too much to ask such a question? Was it her attitude that those who purchase such affordably priced food had no right or dignity to enquire?
I have always felt that if a person wasn't happy with the job or felt the work was beneath her, she could always quit and apply her talents elsewhere. I am sure she is not there by force. There are probably lots of people who would gladly fill her shoes and smile in the process too. So I wrote up a complaint note and prepared to email it off to the management of the hypermarket concerned. As fate would have it, my complaint couldn't get through their server – was it possible they purposely set it up to reject complaints? No complaints coming through means that everything was hunky-dory, right?
Anyway, I went there a third time, determined that it would be the last and final time I would go to that counter – the abuse wasn't worth it after all. Surprise, surprise – the same woman was at the counter, instead of glowering at me, she was actually smiling and struck up some small talk with me. I am sure she didn't get a talking to by her management as my complaint didn't get through their computer server. I came away feeling non-plussed with this about turn of attitude, even more confused about the moods of people in this world. At the same time too, I was glad my complaint didn't get through – God only knows how many dependents she has to support from this job. It wouldn't bear well with my conscience if she got sacked because of my complaint. Oh well, live and let live.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
X-rated food???
How can food be x-rated? Do they resemble various parts of the human anatomy?
Ah, I've likened them to be x-rated due to abuses inflicted unto the hapless victims by their human captors. Two of these include the stingray (ikan pari) and the ubiquitious squid or sotong. There are probably more along the line.
An acquaintance of mine was a crew member of a fishing trawler during his teenage days. He swore that he saw his fellow crew members sexually abuse the ikan pari (female only) that they landed. From that day onward, he stopped eating ikan pari – whether as ikan bakar or in asam curry; no matter how delicious they looked.
Another friend of mine said she will not eat sotong or squid outside her own home. She will only buy sotong with their heads intact – ie. attached firmly to the thorax and cook them at home. This is because she heard some horror stories about fishermen tearing off the heads of suitably sized squid, extricate the innards and then performing unmentionable acts on the thorax pod. The said abused squids were then thrown back into the pile to be sold to wholesalers.
Ugghh! What vile acts of debauchery! It is bad enough abusing the poor creatures under the guise of catching them for food; what more passing them to unknowing buyers down the road after the disgusting perversions were done.
Ah, I've likened them to be x-rated due to abuses inflicted unto the hapless victims by their human captors. Two of these include the stingray (ikan pari) and the ubiquitious squid or sotong. There are probably more along the line.
An acquaintance of mine was a crew member of a fishing trawler during his teenage days. He swore that he saw his fellow crew members sexually abuse the ikan pari (female only) that they landed. From that day onward, he stopped eating ikan pari – whether as ikan bakar or in asam curry; no matter how delicious they looked.
Another friend of mine said she will not eat sotong or squid outside her own home. She will only buy sotong with their heads intact – ie. attached firmly to the thorax and cook them at home. This is because she heard some horror stories about fishermen tearing off the heads of suitably sized squid, extricate the innards and then performing unmentionable acts on the thorax pod. The said abused squids were then thrown back into the pile to be sold to wholesalers.
Ugghh! What vile acts of debauchery! It is bad enough abusing the poor creatures under the guise of catching them for food; what more passing them to unknowing buyers down the road after the disgusting perversions were done.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Buy local II
This is an expansion on the preceding post about shunning local products. I wrote this on Campbell Malaysia's online feedback form.:
I recently bought a can of Campbell's Tomato soup, proudly made in Malaysia by Campbell Cheong Chan's factory. It turned out to be a real let-down.
I have been consuming Campbell's condensed soups since childhood. In the good old days, they were all imported. And they were all of good quality, especially the chunky varieties.
When Campbell announced a few years ago that it was acquiring the Malaysian plant of Cheong Chan with the aim of making the canned soups locally. I told my friends - “I think we had better switch to Heinz soups or learn how to make our own blended soups.
I bet the quality sure suffers as is the case with all locally produced foodstuffs.'
Sure enough, I was right. The above can of Tomato soup is testimony of my assertion that locally made products are just not up to the mark. Where the Campbell Tomato soup I was used to was a creamy tomatoey colour and consistency, the locally made one looked like thin tomato ketchup in color and consistency. Please don't try to give me any ballyhoo about catering to local tastes, etc. Eating tomato soup is an acquired taste for Malaysians, nothing local about it - nice try though. The can of soup when made according to directions tasted just like what we can make from a bottle of tomato ketchup, and more cheaply at that.
I'll bet ol' Joe Campbell would turn in bis grave if he knew what you chaps are doing to his brand of soups.
Believe me, I am not ever buying any Campbell canned soups again. The quality and high costs make it an insult to my intelligence. Even my own version of Tomato soup made from fresh tomatoes tasted much better than your canned soup. I hate to be insulted and made to pay for shoddy quality. Campbell soup? Never again.
AND, THIS WAS THEIR REPLY :
Dear J.
Re: Feedback on Campbell's Tomato Soup
Thank you for your feedback regarding Campbell's Tomato Soup. We are sorry that you didn't enjoy our soup as much as you have hoped.
We work hard to make sure we meet our consumer expectations and provide them with the quality and taste they have come to expect of our products. For example, we continuously talk to consumers to seek their feedback on our existing product range, for opportunities to further improve our products and gather concepts for new ideas,. Hence, whilst we are disappointed that you dislike this product we very much appreciate your feedback.
Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch with us. Campbell's Soups values consumer feedback that enable us to continually grow.
Regards,
Campbell's Soup Customer Service
- There you have it.
Alright, where's the recipe book for those good old blended soups?
I recently bought a can of Campbell's Tomato soup, proudly made in Malaysia by Campbell Cheong Chan's factory. It turned out to be a real let-down.
I have been consuming Campbell's condensed soups since childhood. In the good old days, they were all imported. And they were all of good quality, especially the chunky varieties.
When Campbell announced a few years ago that it was acquiring the Malaysian plant of Cheong Chan with the aim of making the canned soups locally. I told my friends - “I think we had better switch to Heinz soups or learn how to make our own blended soups.
I bet the quality sure suffers as is the case with all locally produced foodstuffs.'
Sure enough, I was right. The above can of Tomato soup is testimony of my assertion that locally made products are just not up to the mark. Where the Campbell Tomato soup I was used to was a creamy tomatoey colour and consistency, the locally made one looked like thin tomato ketchup in color and consistency. Please don't try to give me any ballyhoo about catering to local tastes, etc. Eating tomato soup is an acquired taste for Malaysians, nothing local about it - nice try though. The can of soup when made according to directions tasted just like what we can make from a bottle of tomato ketchup, and more cheaply at that.
I'll bet ol' Joe Campbell would turn in bis grave if he knew what you chaps are doing to his brand of soups.
Believe me, I am not ever buying any Campbell canned soups again. The quality and high costs make it an insult to my intelligence. Even my own version of Tomato soup made from fresh tomatoes tasted much better than your canned soup. I hate to be insulted and made to pay for shoddy quality. Campbell soup? Never again.
AND, THIS WAS THEIR REPLY :
Dear J.
Re: Feedback on Campbell's Tomato Soup
Thank you for your feedback regarding Campbell's Tomato Soup. We are sorry that you didn't enjoy our soup as much as you have hoped.
We work hard to make sure we meet our consumer expectations and provide them with the quality and taste they have come to expect of our products. For example, we continuously talk to consumers to seek their feedback on our existing product range, for opportunities to further improve our products and gather concepts for new ideas,. Hence, whilst we are disappointed that you dislike this product we very much appreciate your feedback.
Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch with us. Campbell's Soups values consumer feedback that enable us to continually grow.
Regards,
Campbell's Soup Customer Service
- There you have it.
Alright, where's the recipe book for those good old blended soups?
Monday, June 22, 2009
Buy local, be patriotic, blah, blah
Buy locally made products? Not likely!
It is all very well to exhort one and all to buy locally made products – ostensibly to save foreign exchange and support the local manufacturers. That may well be true but where does this leave the individual consumer?
Let me say this – he is left holding the short end of the stick; as usual. In short, he's being
conned again.
No need to look far and wide. A few examples are housing where we pay through our noses for mediocre quality houses that are grossly overpriced vis-a vis earnings capacity & potential. The national cars are overpriced which brings a cascading effect of inflating prices of foreign cars to a level where we pay some o9f the highest prices for cars in the world.
Well, we buy a house and a car once in a while but we need to eat everyday, don't we? Food, yes glorious food in all its forms. Local fare is blessed with a plethora of flavours and styles, enough to please all but the most fastidious of palates. It is the manufactured and packaged food that I am driving at here, be it biscuits, confectionery like chocs, noodles, etc.
Some of the sins of local manufacturers are :
1.Concocting names that are nothing but a jack-off of an imported brand. Imitation is not the best form of flattery here, it jusy shows that you are devoid of ideas amd inspiration.
2.Packaging and get-ups that brainlessly and shamelessly simulate that of established brands. I have always felt that the worst offence in this direction is the veritable ketchup and chilli sauce bottle. The guy who originally designed the narrow necked bottle is a heckuva dumbass – it is so difficult to pour from it. How do you expect people to consume more if they can't pour fast enough? A wide necked bottle should be used instead. Case of the blind leading the blind. Haven't they heard of Aji-no-moto's success in ramping up sales simply by making bigger holes in the bottle stopper that allowed more flavor enhancer to be dispensed each time?
3.Weights and volumes are so inconspicious as to be virtually invisible. The print is in such small size and non-contrasting colors that you need a magnifying glass to decipher it. The reason is make a would-be buyer unable to compare weight/volume against prices. Isn't it devious and despicable all at the same time? It is a phenomenon affecting local products only, look around you. Imported products have their weight and grammage conspicously located on the package, not hidden in some little nook as in the local item. The packaging of local stuff will most often than not be flamboyant and wasteful. It is only when you weigh it in your hand that you realise that you are being taken for a ride. Shortchanged, that's what it is. Quick, put it down and look for something else.
4.Quality and pricing that are not commensurate when compared to imported products. Imported products are not really that expensive considering their better quality, such examples as chocolates and noodles; the local versions are practically inedible – their only redeeming feature being 'cheaper' than corresponding foreign items; helped substantially by import tariffs. Look at the ingredient list and see the difference. Instead of modified palm fat and dried milk powder, read real cocoa butter and full cream milk in imported chocs. Similarly, see how what goes into flavouring packs of imported noodles- you see what I mean? Local noodles are just not worth the money, just a con job to make us part with our money. Even house brands of hypermarkets like Tesco (imported from UK) are better than locally made products, very often cheaper too. Which makes me suspect that local manufacturers are making super profits and duping the consumers at the same time. Time to stop being fools, eh?
5.Products that become worse when locally made. Case in point being Campbell's canned soups, now made in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Just as I predicted, quality deteriorated, I have sworn off Campbell soup forever. Insult to injury, they are actually much more expensive locally made even when you factored in increased costs and exchange rates. What happened? Are we really such pathetic suckers?
I am not being unpatriotic in urging against consuming local products. As consumers, we are only concerned with getting value for our money, with quality to boot. If imported products are worthwhile buying bearing in mind quality and costs, then so be it. Who cares if local manufacturers cannot compete and survive? We are not fools. Time to stop the duping, let's wise up. It is the only way local manufacturers will buck up and give us value for money. Good luck to them. Me? I will always give local products a miss and opt for the imported item. No snobbery involved, just plain common cents (pun intended). Too bad for the local manufacturers, but that's the way it is.
It is all very well to exhort one and all to buy locally made products – ostensibly to save foreign exchange and support the local manufacturers. That may well be true but where does this leave the individual consumer?
Let me say this – he is left holding the short end of the stick; as usual. In short, he's being
conned again.
No need to look far and wide. A few examples are housing where we pay through our noses for mediocre quality houses that are grossly overpriced vis-a vis earnings capacity & potential. The national cars are overpriced which brings a cascading effect of inflating prices of foreign cars to a level where we pay some o9f the highest prices for cars in the world.
Well, we buy a house and a car once in a while but we need to eat everyday, don't we? Food, yes glorious food in all its forms. Local fare is blessed with a plethora of flavours and styles, enough to please all but the most fastidious of palates. It is the manufactured and packaged food that I am driving at here, be it biscuits, confectionery like chocs, noodles, etc.
Some of the sins of local manufacturers are :
1.Concocting names that are nothing but a jack-off of an imported brand. Imitation is not the best form of flattery here, it jusy shows that you are devoid of ideas amd inspiration.
2.Packaging and get-ups that brainlessly and shamelessly simulate that of established brands. I have always felt that the worst offence in this direction is the veritable ketchup and chilli sauce bottle. The guy who originally designed the narrow necked bottle is a heckuva dumbass – it is so difficult to pour from it. How do you expect people to consume more if they can't pour fast enough? A wide necked bottle should be used instead. Case of the blind leading the blind. Haven't they heard of Aji-no-moto's success in ramping up sales simply by making bigger holes in the bottle stopper that allowed more flavor enhancer to be dispensed each time?
3.Weights and volumes are so inconspicious as to be virtually invisible. The print is in such small size and non-contrasting colors that you need a magnifying glass to decipher it. The reason is make a would-be buyer unable to compare weight/volume against prices. Isn't it devious and despicable all at the same time? It is a phenomenon affecting local products only, look around you. Imported products have their weight and grammage conspicously located on the package, not hidden in some little nook as in the local item. The packaging of local stuff will most often than not be flamboyant and wasteful. It is only when you weigh it in your hand that you realise that you are being taken for a ride. Shortchanged, that's what it is. Quick, put it down and look for something else.
4.Quality and pricing that are not commensurate when compared to imported products. Imported products are not really that expensive considering their better quality, such examples as chocolates and noodles; the local versions are practically inedible – their only redeeming feature being 'cheaper' than corresponding foreign items; helped substantially by import tariffs. Look at the ingredient list and see the difference. Instead of modified palm fat and dried milk powder, read real cocoa butter and full cream milk in imported chocs. Similarly, see how what goes into flavouring packs of imported noodles- you see what I mean? Local noodles are just not worth the money, just a con job to make us part with our money. Even house brands of hypermarkets like Tesco (imported from UK) are better than locally made products, very often cheaper too. Which makes me suspect that local manufacturers are making super profits and duping the consumers at the same time. Time to stop being fools, eh?
5.Products that become worse when locally made. Case in point being Campbell's canned soups, now made in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Just as I predicted, quality deteriorated, I have sworn off Campbell soup forever. Insult to injury, they are actually much more expensive locally made even when you factored in increased costs and exchange rates. What happened? Are we really such pathetic suckers?
I am not being unpatriotic in urging against consuming local products. As consumers, we are only concerned with getting value for our money, with quality to boot. If imported products are worthwhile buying bearing in mind quality and costs, then so be it. Who cares if local manufacturers cannot compete and survive? We are not fools. Time to stop the duping, let's wise up. It is the only way local manufacturers will buck up and give us value for money. Good luck to them. Me? I will always give local products a miss and opt for the imported item. No snobbery involved, just plain common cents (pun intended). Too bad for the local manufacturers, but that's the way it is.
I m baaack!
I am back, sheesh- it sounds real corny! Laid off writing for quite some time. Now I am back to my old shenanigans. Let's see, what is there to grouse about.......................
Friday, February 29, 2008
Favorite Hobby
My favorite hobby since childhood days remains scale modelling; making scale models of tanks, cars, and ships. Later on when the purse strings permitted, I branched out into radio control airplanes.
I was never a top notch modeller capable of producing show pieces that win competitions. Neither was I a proficient flyer of model planes; I guess my brain-to-hand coordination was just plain lousy. But these pursuits satisfied an urge inside me of things mechanical. I am always happy to see youngsters indulge in this healthy hobby rather than spend their time hanging around shopping complexes and video gaming centres.
It is a bit sad to see that the modelling hobby does not seem to have permeated a larger portion of youngsters and those young at heart. Part of the reason is probably the existence of other forms of entertainment such as video gaming and of course handphone texting. However I feel that the major reason is one of cost. Model kits and supplies remain among the highest in the region. When I used to reside in JB, I made regular trips to Singapore to get my modelling stuff. Even with present exchange rates, it is still worthwhile to buy them in Singapore. There is wide disparity between prices in Singapore and Malaysia. When I asked a Malaysian dealer why prices are so much higher here, he replied it was because of higher taxes. This is all BS to me! I did some checking and found that plastic scale model kits attract only 5% import duty and 10% sales tax; yet prices can often be 50-60% higher here. Radio control model kits and equipment are not taxed at all but prices are at least 50% higher than in Singapore. It is common practice for modellers in KL to make occasional trips to Singapore for all their supplies. Still worthwhile even after incurring the travel expenses and road tolls. They also get to see the latest kits and equipment there. Some even make online orders from established internet outlets like Tower Hobbies; I did and found their pricing and service second to none.
So what is happening here? It would seem that local dealers are making excessive profits and in the process discouraging new entrants to this absorbing hobby. Perhaps they need to make more to cover operating expenses due to lower sales volume. There are also not many dealers here who compete among themselves. It is certainly not due to higher rentals when compared to Singapore. When modelling supplies are priced high, less people are inclined to take up the hobby. With low volume import orders, local dealers cannot command bulk discounts from oversea distributors so they pass the higher cost to local customers. The vicious circle goes on; both dealers and hobbyists lose out. The government has done its part by levying zero or minimal taxes on the imported supplies.
Perhaps local dealers should try lowering prices to encourage loyal hobbyists to support them. It is indeed short sighted to make high profits per sale and end up with an overall low sales turnover. Far better to make less per item and make far more on higher sales volume.
I was never a top notch modeller capable of producing show pieces that win competitions. Neither was I a proficient flyer of model planes; I guess my brain-to-hand coordination was just plain lousy. But these pursuits satisfied an urge inside me of things mechanical. I am always happy to see youngsters indulge in this healthy hobby rather than spend their time hanging around shopping complexes and video gaming centres.
It is a bit sad to see that the modelling hobby does not seem to have permeated a larger portion of youngsters and those young at heart. Part of the reason is probably the existence of other forms of entertainment such as video gaming and of course handphone texting. However I feel that the major reason is one of cost. Model kits and supplies remain among the highest in the region. When I used to reside in JB, I made regular trips to Singapore to get my modelling stuff. Even with present exchange rates, it is still worthwhile to buy them in Singapore. There is wide disparity between prices in Singapore and Malaysia. When I asked a Malaysian dealer why prices are so much higher here, he replied it was because of higher taxes. This is all BS to me! I did some checking and found that plastic scale model kits attract only 5% import duty and 10% sales tax; yet prices can often be 50-60% higher here. Radio control model kits and equipment are not taxed at all but prices are at least 50% higher than in Singapore. It is common practice for modellers in KL to make occasional trips to Singapore for all their supplies. Still worthwhile even after incurring the travel expenses and road tolls. They also get to see the latest kits and equipment there. Some even make online orders from established internet outlets like Tower Hobbies; I did and found their pricing and service second to none.
So what is happening here? It would seem that local dealers are making excessive profits and in the process discouraging new entrants to this absorbing hobby. Perhaps they need to make more to cover operating expenses due to lower sales volume. There are also not many dealers here who compete among themselves. It is certainly not due to higher rentals when compared to Singapore. When modelling supplies are priced high, less people are inclined to take up the hobby. With low volume import orders, local dealers cannot command bulk discounts from oversea distributors so they pass the higher cost to local customers. The vicious circle goes on; both dealers and hobbyists lose out. The government has done its part by levying zero or minimal taxes on the imported supplies.
Perhaps local dealers should try lowering prices to encourage loyal hobbyists to support them. It is indeed short sighted to make high profits per sale and end up with an overall low sales turnover. Far better to make less per item and make far more on higher sales volume.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
What sprouts?
The humble taugeh of course, what else.
I just learnt to grow my own taugeh; into my umpteen batch now. I can now enjoy fresh crunchy taugeh any time I want without having to go to the supermarket or wet market. Taugeh does not keep well in the fridge too.
Why on earth for? Taugeh is cheap enough at around rm2 per kilo at most. Besides the convenience factor, the main consideration is safety. Heaven only knows what growth stimulants the commercial growers saturate the mung beans for them to grow fast and thick as well as last long on the shelf. Too bad I can't raise my own fish, chickens, goats and cows in my apartment
Google 'bean sprouts' and you'd get hundreds of sites teaching you how to grow sprouts. Not just bean sprouts, practically all kinds of sprouts. Maybe I will try those others later.
The process is practically idiot proof, even for those who are all thumbs. All you need are mung beans; a few plastic jars with mesh covers, water and patience. Plastic jars that are about 6 inches in diameter and 8 inches height are ideal for a start. The mesh covers I used were recycled from a plastic mesh bag which held garlic bulbs. The mesh size was just small enough to prevent the beans from falling through. Anything will do, even your wife's stockings – just use a new one, with her permission of course. Use rubber bands to hold the mesh in place.
Cleaniness is of utmost importance here. First sort and discard foreign matter from the beans, then wash each batch thoroughly until the water runs clear. Beans that float are bad, chuck those out. Place enough beans to cover the bottom of the jar. Fill with water – rule of thumb is thrice the height of the beans. Secure jar mouth with mesh & rubber bands. Leave in a fairly dark place for 8 hrs, then pour out the water and rinse the beans; leaving mesh in place. If an unpleasant odour is detected, identify and discard the bad beans, wash again and replace in jar, then seal with mesh and refill water. Do this for 2 days, on the third day, pour out all the water – make sure you drain it well.Then replace jar in dark place; repeat rinsing and draining every 12 hrs. Watch the transformation. The beans will begin to sprout and can be harvested at 2inch lengths about 2-3 days later.
Try to avoid absolutely dark places like closets or cupboards, air circulation is important. You will need at least three batches to ensure continous supply of home grown taugeh.
Adjust bean quantity to cater for your consumption rate.
The sprouts you get won't be as long and fat as those available in the market because commercial growers use chemicals and gases to promote accelerated growth. One difference is the greenish hull of the homegrown sprouts; market bought sprouts are black in colour.
Won't save you much cash, but it is fun and safe to eat too.
Bynote : Ipoh taugeh being well known for their crunchiness and fat stalks are widely attributed to the use of well water in sprouting them. I don't really believe this; probably just a smokescreen propagated by the producers to hide widespread use of chemicals and gases.
I just learnt to grow my own taugeh; into my umpteen batch now. I can now enjoy fresh crunchy taugeh any time I want without having to go to the supermarket or wet market. Taugeh does not keep well in the fridge too.
Why on earth for? Taugeh is cheap enough at around rm2 per kilo at most. Besides the convenience factor, the main consideration is safety. Heaven only knows what growth stimulants the commercial growers saturate the mung beans for them to grow fast and thick as well as last long on the shelf. Too bad I can't raise my own fish, chickens, goats and cows in my apartment
Google 'bean sprouts' and you'd get hundreds of sites teaching you how to grow sprouts. Not just bean sprouts, practically all kinds of sprouts. Maybe I will try those others later.
The process is practically idiot proof, even for those who are all thumbs. All you need are mung beans; a few plastic jars with mesh covers, water and patience. Plastic jars that are about 6 inches in diameter and 8 inches height are ideal for a start. The mesh covers I used were recycled from a plastic mesh bag which held garlic bulbs. The mesh size was just small enough to prevent the beans from falling through. Anything will do, even your wife's stockings – just use a new one, with her permission of course. Use rubber bands to hold the mesh in place.
Cleaniness is of utmost importance here. First sort and discard foreign matter from the beans, then wash each batch thoroughly until the water runs clear. Beans that float are bad, chuck those out. Place enough beans to cover the bottom of the jar. Fill with water – rule of thumb is thrice the height of the beans. Secure jar mouth with mesh & rubber bands. Leave in a fairly dark place for 8 hrs, then pour out the water and rinse the beans; leaving mesh in place. If an unpleasant odour is detected, identify and discard the bad beans, wash again and replace in jar, then seal with mesh and refill water. Do this for 2 days, on the third day, pour out all the water – make sure you drain it well.Then replace jar in dark place; repeat rinsing and draining every 12 hrs. Watch the transformation. The beans will begin to sprout and can be harvested at 2inch lengths about 2-3 days later.
Try to avoid absolutely dark places like closets or cupboards, air circulation is important. You will need at least three batches to ensure continous supply of home grown taugeh.
Adjust bean quantity to cater for your consumption rate.
The sprouts you get won't be as long and fat as those available in the market because commercial growers use chemicals and gases to promote accelerated growth. One difference is the greenish hull of the homegrown sprouts; market bought sprouts are black in colour.
Won't save you much cash, but it is fun and safe to eat too.
Bynote : Ipoh taugeh being well known for their crunchiness and fat stalks are widely attributed to the use of well water in sprouting them. I don't really believe this; probably just a smokescreen propagated by the producers to hide widespread use of chemicals and gases.
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