Unique aroma and texture keep Kg Wang Perah’s ‘ketupat daun buluh’ in high demand

JITRA, June 23 — Ketupat daun buluh — a traditional delicacy made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed — from Kampung Wang Perah continues to enjoy strong demand even beyond the festive season, demonstrating how heritage foods can evolve into thriving enterprises through effective promotion and unwavering quality.

Its producer, Sarina Saidin, 56, said the delicacy has its own unique appeal. Although it is made with ordinary glutinous rice, wrapping it in bamboo leaves before steaming gives it a more distinctive texture and flavour.

She said the main attraction of ketupat daun buluh lies in the natural aroma imparted by the bamboo leaves during steaming, as well as its soft texture and rich taste.

“Every step of the process is carried out meticulously to ensure that the quality and authentic taste are preserved and remain consistent,” she told Bernama.

Sarina said that to help customers identify the different varieties, she uses a colour-coded string system — red for the original version, yellow for black glutinous rice, blue for bean-flavoured ketupat and green for corn.

Sarina said the products are priced by weight, with the original ketupat sold at RM28 per kilogramme, black glutinous rice ketupat at RM35 per kg, and both bean and corn variants at RM30 per kg.

“The original, black glutinous rice and corn varieties are among the most sought-after. Although I have been operating the business from home for the past four years, the income has been quite encouraging, especially during the festive season,” she said.

According to Sarina, all promotions are carried out online through WhatsApp, TikTok and Facebook, while orders are received from various states, including Kuala Lumpur, Perak and Johor, and delivered directly to customers via postal services.

Sarina said she greatly appreciated the support and assistance provided by the Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA), particularly in terms of equipment and guidance for her business.

“KEDA has helped me tremendously to reach where I am today. Among the assistance provided were a freezer, an electronic weighing scale and guidance to ensure the business continues to grow and succeed,” she said. — Bernama