Family tradition: The Low sisters preparing kuih kapit at their shop at Simee Market in Ipoh. — Bernama
IPOH: The traditional, aromatic and crispy kuih kapit (love-letter biscuits) made by five sisters here, are only available during Chinese New Year every year.
What makes the kuih kapit made by these siblings – Low Siew Lee, 65, Sow Yoong, 66, Siew Tiong, 63, Siew Toh, 62, and Siew Choo, 57 – special is their continued use of traditional methods, which they have maintained for the past 30 years.
This involves baking the biscuits over charcoal stoves, giving them a richer and more distinctive aroma.
According to Siew Lee, they begin taking orders two months before the celebration each year and close orders a month later to ensure ample time to produce the treat for the festivities.
“Although this year’s orders are somewhat slower, with only around 1,000 jars compared with over 2,000 jars in previous years, we still allocate up to two months to complete the orders,” she said when met at their shop in front of Simee Market.
The 11th of 15 siblings said they start preparing the kuih kapit orders as early as 4am, beginning with preparing the ingredients and mixing the batter, followed by baking, and finishing around 6pm.
Siew Lee said to produce kuih kapit with a crisp texture, the batter’s consistency must be right, and the biscuits must be carefully monitored during baking to ensure they are perfectly cooked and evenly golden.
On the use of charcoal stoves, she said it is cost-effective but less time-efficient compared with using gas stoves, which allow for baking a larger quantity of biscuits, Bernama reported.
“Everyone loves eating these kuih kapit. Customers say our kuih kapit are fragrant and taste better because we bake them using charcoal stoves,” she said, adding that their kuih kapit can last up to a year if stored properly.
She added that their customers are not only from Perak but also from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, with some travelling specifically to purchase the biscuits, while others place orders through friends and relatives in Ipoh.
