GEORGE TOWN: Tucked along the narrow Lebuh Tamil road, next to the famed Chowrasta market, is a small stall selling the famous Ais Tingkap.
On normal days, it is normal to see people queuing up to get their hands on the cooling drink concoction.
However, the queue swells twice the size on weekends.
From its humble beginnings in 1919, the Ais Tingkap, currently run by fourth generation proprietor Muhamed Asri Seeni Mohamed, 42, has grown and thrived.
“Indeed, we are happy to be able to retain this family tradition over such a long period.
“It started with my great grandfather, who passed down the recipe to my grandfather, my father and now me.
“We are proud to be sharing this goodness with the people and will continue to do so with much love and joy,” he said at the centenary celebration at the stall on Monday.
Present to grace the occasion was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
To mark the auspicious occasion, no less than 1,000 cups of the drink were given free to the public.
Ais Tingkap, which was known as “Window Sherbet” to the British during the colonial period, got its name because it was sold from a shop glass window when it first started.
It is said to be a cooling drink with health benefits due to ingredients such as kembang semangkuk (malva nut), coconut water and basil seeds (biji selasih).
Rose essence gives the drink a striking red colour.
A glass costs RM2.50 now. It cost just 20 sen in 1919.
Initially, the drink contained 25 types of herbs.
Asri said at least half of the ingredients used to make the drink now were still sourced from India, while the others were acquired locally.
Moving forward, Asri said they planned to set up a network of branches nationwide, starting with the Klang Valley.
“Our customers come from all states in Malaysia, as well as overseas.
“Many of our Malaysian customers have asked when they can enjoy the drink in their hometown.
“We are trying our best to meet their expectations, but what is more important is to maintain our 100-year-old standard,” he added.
His six brothers, aged between 32 and 57, also work at the stall.
Asri said there were plans to include Ais Tingkap in the national heritage list.
Arab language teacher Kamisah Mazlan, 39, said she learnt about the drink from TV3’s Majalah Tiga programme.
“We came up here from Kuala Lumpur for the long weekend and decided to try the drink.
“As soon as we arrived on Friday, we managed to locate the stall and get our Ais Tingkap fix.
“We are going back today and decided to have another go at the drink.
“We are lucky to get it free in conjunction with the centenary celebrations.”
Chow praised Asri and his family for attracting visitors to Penang with the drink.
“Ais Tingkap has carved a name for itself in both local and international media,” he added.