Cracking demand: Santan trader hits 10,000 coconuts a day ahead of festivities

Cracking demand: Santan trader hits 10,000 coconuts a day ahead of festivities

KUALA LUMPUR: In the lead-up Hari Raya Aidilfitri, demand for santan has swelled to such an extent that one trader saw his nightly usage surge from 500 coconuts to an extraordinary 10,000.

For Mazlan Zainal Abidin, 44, the shift begins long before dawn.

His operations now run from midnight until 1pm, a relentless stretch driven by a steady stream of orders that shows little sign of slowing.

At his long-standing stall in Kompleks Muhibah, Taman Nirwana, Ampang, where he has worked since 2005, the pace has intensified.

Fresh santan is sold at RM3 for a small pack, RM6 for 500g, and RM12 per kilogram. Kerisik, another staple of festive cooking, is priced at RM4 and RM8 depending on size.

The coconuts themselves are sourced from Bagan Datuk, Perak, a detail Mazlan maintains is key to preserving the richness and freshness of his product.

“Every festive season, we are overwhelmed,” he told the New Straits Times.

“We start processing from midnight to ensure there is enough supply.”

The surge underscores the central role of santan in Malay kitchens, particularly during celebrations and festivities.

From slow-simmered rendang and fragrant lemang to lontong, serunding, and an array of kuih such as talam, tepung pelita and dodol, santan remains the quiet backbone of dishes that define the season.