'Kacang Putih' or White Nuts or White Beans by hometownmemories on Blogster

I came across a 'kacang putih' man a few days ago. When I say a 'kacang putih' man, for those who are not familiar it means a road-side vendor who sells 'kacang putih'.

'Kacang putih' is a Malay word which is literally translated as "White nuts' or "White beans". It generally refers to the roasted and fried nuts and beans which are usually golden yellow or milky white in colour after the processing. It also includes the thinly sliced tapioca fritters.

Why 'kacang putih'? I really have no idea much as I have tried to find out. Perhaps it refers to the finished products as the beans and nuts after having been roasted or fried becomes pale yellowish or milky white or bright orange which are very much different in colour before the frying or roasting process.

Its a snack like peanuts or popcorn. It is a popular snack item in my country in south east asia especially Malaysia and Singapore.

The vendors are invariably southern Indians. With a genial disposition and a ready smile on their face they were pleasant memories for me in my hometown.

It was common to find them around the cinema halls and outside the schools as they were ready customers. It was common to bring the 'kacang putih' into the cinemas at one time to munch before the show started. Now as almost all the cinemas are in shopping malls they are not sold at the concessionaires.

They also used to walk to various parts of my hometown, each vendor covering his own territory. In the beginning he carried the 'kacang putih' on a small table balanced on his head. Then it was on a tray fixed to the back of his bicycle.

The 'kacang putih' was individually warapped in paper cones. The paper was recycled from old newspapers, telephone books, exercise books, school books and magazines.

It was an economical snack offering value for money and it was low in calories as well.

However the prices have changed even though the 'kacang putik' man I saw still carries his wares on his bicycle. They are slowly disappearing as there are less of them now.

Here's some photos for remembrance although he is not from my hometown.

They are not many of them today. So there are memories.

2 comments on 'Kacang Putih' or White Nuts or White Beans

soultrawler said 1 years ago
Chan, hooray for your reminscences! I love people writing/talking about their memories (maybe that's bec. I got that from the cradle on by my German mom and grandma always talking about the past)!

As a foodaholic who especially loves Thai food (I know, that's not the same as Malay [WINK]), I find the kacang putih tantalizing. And wow, tapioca fritters? That's absolutely FASSSSScinating! I'm assuming you make the tapioca pretty thick and then add a bit of flour to firm it up and make it solid? I'll have to google that, bec. I do love tapioca. I had no idea it could be used for anything besides making pudding (or ground up, for thickening a smoothie).

You're going into my buddies list, bec. I want to read more of your posts.[THUMBUP]

Have a super day!
hometownmemories said 11 months ago
Actually should have said tapioca chips and not tapioca fritters. The 'kacang putih' man sells tapioca chips. The tapioca is sliced thinly across, dried and then deep fried. Salt added to taste. Tapioca fritters is normally sold by another vendor who sells fried stuff such as banana fritters along with tapioca fritters. The tapioca is sliced in about 1/4" width and fried in batter until golden yellow.