Thursday, December 09, 2010

The Lost Art of The Ting Ting Candy?

Am I the only one who feels this way? I feel elated whenever I stumble upon another stall that sells the ting ting candy (made from honey and maltose), maybe it's the "sugar rush"? Hahaha....  I find that stalls like these are near extinction ... I came across one in Klang and one in Ampang so far in the last few years - one sold the malt candy stick too while the other one didn't. Would you happen to know where else one can find stalls like these?

Ting Ting Candy

It is said that during the dynasty period, the emperor's concubines were the only ones who had the luxury of consuming such treats (the sweet were called Gui Fei and were traditionally made from glutinous rice, white sugar and maple syrup). When I was a kid, I remember the ting ting candy sellers would pedal their bicycles around and try to attract the attention of customers hopefully by knocking the metal chisel and hammer together.  It's still pretty much the same modus operandi; just that they now travel around on motorcycles, with the candy trays resting on the back of the motorcycles.


Chipping away
Using a metal chisel and flat hammer to chip away the hardened ting ting candy (hence producing the "ting ting" sound; making it the "moniker" for such a candy).


Ting Ting Candy (Honey & Maltose)
The little candy bag (RM3) is more than just a treat, it's also a part of my childhood. It warms my heart each time I hear that familiar sound.  I never fail to buy a packet (or two!) whenever I have the chance and relive those sweet memories.

Don't sweat the small stuff  but let's hope and pray that we'll always have the small stuff in life to be thankful for (yes, ting ting candy is one of the small stuff, hahaha...); things that make me "feel".  The things that put a smile on my face and makes me wrinkle my nose.  Yes, Colbie Caillat, I know how you feel though I'm referring to food and you're referring to a person!   Thank God for such blessings ..... it's just not the big stuff that matters.  At times, it's the small stuff that matters more :o)

8 comments:

ilene said...

There used to be one @ Petaling Street just in front of the old Popular Book Store. Not too sure whether he's still there though.

Babe_KL said...

I saw one at Jonker Street recently, can't resist and bought a pack ;-)

J2Kfm said...

Don;t they have small kiosks in malls around KL now?

Though personally, I have never (I think) tried the candy. Looks kind of hard.

Small Kucing said...

They still have it in Petaling Street

Hazza said...

I dont seem to remember this kind of sweet from my childhood.

Anonymous said...

When I was in primary school (ages ago ago), an uncle will cycle near my school in the afternoon and start selling the sweet wrapped in brown paper. It used to cost about 50 cents and I would share with my friends.

I saw one at the Klang's Guan Yin temple (near the Istana round-about) during the Guan Yin's celebration.

wmw said...

Ilene : Hmmm...will keep a lookout.

Babe_KL : Can't resist hor?

J2Kfm : Small kiosks in malls? Which mall?

Small Kucing : Ilene said the same, guess it's still there.

Hazza : Hmmm...maybe you weren't allowed to eat sweets back then? Hahaha...

wmw said...

Anonymous : Yeah, that's what I mean, it always brings back memories of our childhood :o). Yup, saw in Klang too.