KOTA BHARU, Jan 26 — With the approaching Chinese New Year celebration, “kerepek ngaku” or “Chinese Arrowhead Chips” is definitely the choice snack for the Chinese community.
The reason being that the arrowhead, which it is a type of sweet potato is only in season once a year between December and February only,
Trader Rohayu Wahidin, 35, said she really had her hands full meeting the demand for the chips from her customers who had been waiting for the arrowhead season.
“I came up with the idea of making the arrowhead chips after watching on how to make it on Youtube. It so happened that I went to a supermarket in Kota Bharu one day and saw the potato sold there, so I bought some to try to make the crackers.
“This arrowhead is seasonal, only once a year. That is why it is unique and many people do not know about it,” she said when met by Bernama at her house near Kampung Panji, here.
The woman, who is from Bukit Sagu in Kuantan, Pahang, but has been residing in Kelantan since nine years ago, said after posting a picture of the arrowhead chips on Facebook, she got more orders for it although the price was more expensive compared to other types of chips available in the market.
“The price of my arrowhead chips is reasonable, depending on the size of the containers, which is RM10 for the S size and weighing 80 gm, RM17 for the M size (130 gm) and RM34 for the L size (320 gm),” she said.
Rohayu said the process to make arrowhead chips was just like making other potato chips.
“First is to skin the potato, wash and then slice it thinly before deep frying it. For those, who prefer the original taste. there is no need to sprinkle the chips with salt,” she added.
For this season alone, she has prepared more than 70 kg of arrowhead chips.
The chips can be ordered online or through cash on delivery (COD) method, she said and expressed the hope to be able to expand her business with the assistance of the relevant agencies that could provide her with the necessary equipment like slicer and kitchen set.
Sources: BERNAMA