Monday, February 08, 2010

Eating Melon Seeds - RT/WW

Cute tiger ornaments

I spent my 3rd Sunday shopping in Chinatown again. This time I brought a group of foreign friends. They are new immigrants who want to soak up the Chinese New Year atmosphere in Singapore.


A wide selection of Chinese New Year cookies for sale

As my group consisted mainly of foreigners, we were treated to lots of tasting as we work our way through the food stalls. :D

My foreign friends not just tried the many Chinese New Year goodies, they even bought some to give to their relatives and friends.

Buying melon seeds... so many flavours to choose from

My friends were fascinated with these colourful melon seeds. Many Chinese delight in picking open and eating melon seeds. My foreign friends love eating peanuts but do not know how to eat these, so I have to show them.

We had a hilarious time picking open these melon seeds with our front molars, reminding ourselves to do it with civility and grace in a public place.

Balancing the edge of each seed on our teeth, we apply a sudden pressure on the pointy end. It must neither be too hard nor too gentle.

Pop!.... the shell splits into two and we extract the flesh within. Applying too much pressure on the seed will cause it to be crushed. Eating melon seeds require skill. :D 

Lots of tries later, a perfect split. :D

I find eating melon seeds quite meditative, sitting in front of the TV and repetitively cracking the tiny seeds with my teeth. This is one activity that diverts my attention from the usual hectic life that I lead to concentrate on opening a seed gently. Sometimes I get a reward inside, and sometimes I ended with a rotten product. :(

The seeds have a delicious flavour (depending on what flavours I select), they normally taste slightly salty and nutty.The more you eat, the more fragrant and tasty you'll find the seeds ...... yum.



45 comments:

  1. I don't know how to eat melon seeds. Have to admit I don't know how to pry open those seeds.

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  2. Wow...starting to eat melon seeds already huh? Don't eat too much o. If not later nothing to eat anymore during new year. :p

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  3. Eating those melon seeds are definitely addictive. So syiok woh. :D

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  4. Happy CNY, ECL! Got ur angpows ready or not?

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  5. Yup I agree the tiger ornaments are adorable! Wah still shopping for CNY? Have a great celebration this year... :)

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  6. Wow ECL, I envy you so much for visiting Chinatown for the third time!

    Haiz, me so busy at work and with personal things that I think I will do last minute shopping and soaking with the crowds on none other than the eve of CNY!

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  7. Liz,
    Yes, there are lots of adorable tiger ornaments on the market recently. :)

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  8. Mei Teng,
    Really!?
    I thought every Chinese would know how to eat guai zi. :P

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  9. Tekkaus,
    Oh.

    *keep melon seeds, pineapple tarts, loveletters, bak kwa.....*

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  10. lina,
    Ya.... the melon seeds at this time of the year taste better. There are more varieties to choose from although they are more costly.

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  11. Maurica,
    Another few more days to CNY. :P

    Have to prepare ang-pows. *sob sob*

    There is so much to do before CNY... I started preparation one month ago but still not finished with the tasks yet.

    It's tiring but I have to keep the tradition alive for my future generations. :)

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  12. sgshortstories,
    Envy!? No fun pushing with the crowds at Chinatown.

    You could probably get some good bargains on the eve of CNY. :P

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  13. Wow! Never eat that before. Although anything that is crunchy always be my companion while I am watching movie. I will definitely try melon seed later!

    Have a nice day ECL!

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  14. thanks for the warm visit sissy :) i so agree with eating the melon seeds! it really needs a lot of effort!

    u may view mine here

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  15. I would love to visit Singapore someday...It is so different from here...I couldn't eat the seeds though...I have TmJ and I am not allowed to eat stuff like that...

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  16. And here I though eating melon seeds was Italian!

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  17. I can never split the seed without using both hands.

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  18. oh yes, cracking melon seeds while watching TV also gives me peace.:p i didn't know there are other flavors, we only have the salted seeds.

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  19. I remember as a child every one used to buy a packet of kua zhi at the cinema stalls before going in for a show. After the show the whole cinema floor will be litter with the shells. Now its only pop corn..haha..

    This year I did not buy any cookie..all homemade. Have u make yr peanuts cookie?

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  20. i didnt know that eating is partly influenced by the chinese coz i too here eat a lot of that. the new year seems so exciting there!

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  21. Haha. So many colours and flavours!

    Lol. I don't know how to open a melon seed either. I don't think I've ever actually tried eating a melon seed (?!) Hahaha.

    Usually, I go for the cookies.xP

    Have a happy CNY. The tiger ornaments are cuties, by the way!

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  22. My DIL is a tiger ! the ornaments are really cute ! While you were eating the seeds did you also do a competition who spits the farest ??:)

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  23. Wow different melon seeds. Nice entries for Ruby Tuesday.

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  24. Never thought one could eat mellon seeds!! it sounds like something I would enjoy :)
    Have a happy day!

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  25. Everything looks very festive. I love that first picture.

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  26. Great Ruby Tuesday, ecl! Chinese New Year is right around the corner! Happy Valentine's Day too! :)

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  27. Ahhh, reminds me of eating melon seed at the cinema in the good old days! LOL!

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  28. Eating the kuaci is very addictive! but I've never tried the different flavour, just prefer them in the original black and white kuaci.
    I was in Chinatown a week ago and I was offered those jelly with fruits in it, and they keep saying it's halal. But I only took one to try , I did buy lots of those packet mochi though, my sons love them.

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  29. melon seeds or peanuts are not my cup of tea. i prefer 'bak-kwa' ECL.

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  30. you always take us on the greatest adventures!Loves the sights and colors

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  31. I love those tiger ornaments. I haven't seen anything like those out here. I'm going to a CNY celebration this Saturday at our local botanical gardens. I can't wait to become immersed in all the festivities. Fantastic photos you've taken.

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  32. Those are really cute tiger ornaments! Things are getting pretty busy here now too in Phnom Penh not especially for the Chinese.

    Though I'm mostly an observant to the festivities I find it truly fascinating and unique.

    As for the melon seeds, =) i love eating those while watching a TV soap or just sitting outside on our porch swing and enjoying the breeze. It surely gets me into a relaxed mood..

    Cheers,

    Lui, blogging and living in Phnom Penh

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  33. hi ecl! my baby's out!!!

    what i remember my mom loved eating watermelon seeds when she was pregnant with me. I also love eating that!

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  34. Got so many things to buy meh? Cannot imagine the crowd leh...

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  35. You're probrbly so busy ECL but I'll wish you now...
    Kong Hee Fatt Choy!
    Love,peace,good health and prosperity to you and your lovrd ones.
    Enjoy your CNY and go easy on the bak kwa hahahaha!!!

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  36. I love eating melon seeds but I have actually never dared to try this flavored ones. I should do it! I will do it :)

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