KUCHING: Spices are important ingredients in various delicacies, not just around the Southeast Asian region, but also all over the world.
Whenever there are festivals such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year or Gawai, people will surely be looking for spices.
Selling spices for 51 years, Mahindran Morgan is carrying on his family business since her grandmother migrated here in the 19th century.
“It started from my grandmother when she brought our family from India, bringing all the spices to sell here in Sarawak.
“Then, my father and my mother continued the business and now they left it to me and my two sisters,” Mahindran told New Sarawak Tribune.
Mahindran has been operating the family business at the Stutong Market since 2008 after moving from a market located near the Kuching Waterfront.
“Previously, I was selling at the old place for 34 years and then moved here (Stutong Market) back in 2008. As such,I have been at the Stutong Market for about 16 years now.
“At my stall, I have different types of spices in paste and powdered form, such as coriander powder and coriander paste, cumin paste, feeneel paste, fenogreek paste, tumeric paste, chilli paste, cinnamon powder, kerisik and others.”
With his extensive experience, Mahindran has mastered understanding his customers’ needs.
Some regulars will request Mahindran to prepare the spices before they collect them at the market.
“Some of my regulars will ask me to prepare the spices, it’s either they collect themselves or my son will help deliver to them.
“They even let me know what they are going to cook and I advise them on what spices to use and how much they need to put.
“For example, they want to cook chicken rendang, beef rendang, fish curry, beef with dates, they will let me know and I will measure for them.”
Nowadays, there are many different spices and pastes sold at various supermarkets with brands such as Adabi and Babas, and it has become a challenge for Mahindran.
Nevertheless, he is not letting this bother him and customers still come to his stall for his spices, especially during festivities.
“That’s when I can make big sales and have more income. I cannot roughly tell you how much I make but the important thing is I generate enough income to sustain myself and my family.”
At the age of 64, Mahindran hopes that his children will continue the family business.
He has four children, with one son working as a civil servant and two daughters who are nurses.
“I have a son who helps to deliver the spices to my regular customers, so I hope that he will continue this business.
“I have thought about retiring but, old habits die hard. I enjoy having something to do rather than being at home doing nothing,” he said.
