KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu folk have a unique way of serving tapai pulut (fermented glutinous rice), a type of traditional snack available the whole year round, but especially popular during the month of Syawal.
It is all about the message of turning recycled waste into good use.
In most states, the delicacy is usually wrapped in banana leaves or kept in plastic containers.
In Terengganu, it is wrapped in rubber leaves which are then tied into bundles of 10 leaves each.
The cooked glutinous rice, which is pre-mixed with yeast, are wrapped inside the leaves for fermentation which usually takes three days.
Mohd Nasir Mahmood, 42, who has been selling the delicacy for decades, said rubber leaves are used as they are in abundant supply in the state, adding that the leaf’s texture makes it a more suitable choice than other leaves.
"Visitors from other states will mostly find it rather strange, the way the tapai is packed here.
"The use of rubber leaves will lock in the tapai flavour. Moreover, it inculcates the message of recycling, as leaves are used instead of plastic bags or containers," he said.
Each bundle is sold at only RM1. The delicacy is available in many markets including pasar payang and pasar Batu Enam here.
Mohd Nasir said he sells an average of 60 bundles a day, adding that the quantity doubles during the months of Syawal and Hari Raya Haji.
Another seller, Zawawi Awang, 52, said it is cheaper to use rubber leaves than banana leaves, as the demand for the latter is higher as it could be used to wrap many types of food.
"I usually make them when there are orders for weddings, as the demand is quite unpredictable for normal days.
"As fermentation takes at least three days, orders must be made at least three days in advance," he added.