Kaow Mao (Thai Pounded Unripe Rice) -- Snack from Rice
I am about to mention to you about one Thai Culture & Tradition of making one type of snack called 'Kaow Mao' or 'Pounded Unripe Rice' or 'Shredded Rice Grain'. For Thais, you might know that it's an old time snack which was established from the past till now. You might know or see it when it's finished as various type of snack but I bet not all of you know how Kaow Mao was made.
Most of Kaow Mao are made in North-East Region of Thailand. This is because it's where we grow rice which Kaow Mao is made from one type of Sticky Rice -- the young one since it still remain the green layer outside (instead of brown one that we normally see). Therefore, most of household must have at least one wooden mortar to crush the rice.
Process of making Kaow Mao is very delicated since it starts from reaping rice early in the morning. Then taking rice for spinning to make sure the rice grain is out of the ear. Then taking the rice grain soaking in water to select the good one out of the small flat ones. Next is the cooking process which bringing the good quality one that been selected earlier to steam for 30 minutes. After that taking it to roast till it's dry. Later taking it to crush and keep winnow out till it's flat. This process will make the ricehusk out. The whole process takes almost 1 day !!!
The secret to make yummy Kaow Mao is at crushing process since the first round to make sure the ricehusk is out while the second round we can add something for making more colour and more aroma such as Sugarcane leaves or Pandan Leaves.
How to make Kaow Mao as snack ??? There are various way such as :
- Eating straight
- Mixed it with coconut shread and sugar which was called 'Kaow Mao Klook' - sweet taste (below picture - front bowl)
- Fried and mixed with dry shrimp or other harb which was called 'Kaow Mao Mee' - sweet & salty taste (below picture - top right bowl)
- Fried and mixed with sugar & peanuts which was called 'Kaow Mao Kayasad' -- sweet taste with sticky texture (below picture - top left bowl)
I found this kiosk at Emporium Department Store (5th floor) which was set as a kind of Thai Snack Festival temporaly. This shop came from Nong-Kai (Northeastern of Thailand) and also has small kiosk at IT Mall and Fashion Island (if you are interested to find). Too bad it's so far for me but I like the taste of their Kaow Mao Mee a lot ... so crispy and so aromatic with a smell of bergamot leaves !!! I can even chew and eat the leaves !!! Look at below up-closed picture.