The Food Site

There is nothing more refreshing than a drink of coconut water especially during hot, sunny days where humidity is high and the heat is overwhelming. However, if you were to go to a coffee shop or a restaurant to order a glass of coconut water, be prepared for a watered down coconut drink with sugar and ice. And it is often overpriced too.

Not exactly my idea of enjoying the real taste of coconut water!

In Penang, there is only one main place to go for coconut water and at a reasonable price too. However, don’t expect any frills as the seller will only pass you a straw to enjoy the drink straight from the coconut shell.

Of course I am referring to the one in Abu Siti Lane where each coconut costs between RM1.80 to RM2.50. While in coffee shops you will be charged an average of RM2.50 for a glass containing mainly sugar, water and a tiny bit of coconut water.

Of course, there are myths abound about the consumption of coconut water which range from it causing phlegm build-up and sickly babies (if consumed too much when pregnant) but I would dismiss most of it as old wives’ tales and unfounded, especially the one about sickly babies!

Drinking coconut water is actually quite beneficial for health. Here are some facts about coconut water:

• It is best consumed fresh
• It is better than whole milk as it has less fat and no cholesterol
• Compared to orange juice, it is healthier and has less calories (1 cup is only 46 calories)
• It contains plenty of vitamins and essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, Vit C, Folate and dietary fibre.
• It is a natural isotonic beverage so it is much better than drinking 100-Plus!

My only problem is that I always can’t seem to finish all of the coconut water of a coconut. The best is to have young coconuts but I also like eating the flesh so sometimes I opt for ‘old’ coconut just to eat the flesh.

Have a coconut drink today!

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We took some time out and went to the iFoodex on Friday and find that despite my reservations about it being anything great at all, it was not as disappointing as I thought it would be.

As with previous years, it was crowded and this year, there are more stalls and with even a ‘healthy food’ section selling organic food, vitamins, health drinks, etc. And to make things more interesting, they even coincide the event with a Chef’s challenge and a property and home show so there are more things to see.

I did not bother much with the property and home show since most are luxurious homes for the filthy rich and I am only rich in sarcasm not in $$ so forget it. The Chef challenge is pretty interesting enough if you manage to squeeze through the crowds gaping at the busy chefs trying to outdo each other and whipping up a storm.

So, other than the usual canned food (mushrooms, sardines, etc) which are being sold at slightly cheaper rates only, we went around and bought lots of unhealthy snacks…sigh..I have to search for more hiding places to keep it from my son… heheheh…

The bakwa pie (dried meat pie) from Bee Cheng Hiang is one of the foods that we bought. It’s RM10 for 5 pies, okay la considering their bakwa is quite expensive. We also bought their bakhu (dried minced meat) for use as sandwich fillings.

Other than food, they also have stalls selling pots and pans and blenders and other kitchen accessories. However, don’t bet on cheap bargain prices because most aren’t sold cheap. Perhaps a few ringgit cheaper but that’s it. No huge 50% discounts if that’s what you are expecting.

All in, it’s a great way to spend an hour or so browsing through different stalls and checking out stuffs being sold…much like going to an air-conditioned, stuffy and smoky (since some of them cooked within that confined space) pasar malam.

So, next year, I may probably go there again. After all, it is not exactly out of my way…

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