KOTA KINABALU, Nov 13 — Before there were soft serves or fancy branded ice creams, there was the humble ice cream potong.
They were (still are) so affordable you didn’t have to think so hard about whether to treat yourself to one on hot afternoons.
But the cheap and cheerful ice cream potong every Malaysian enjoyed at some point in their childhood has achieved iconic status. With tourists.
These little sticks of joy have been making their way into homes in countries like China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Brunei. They have come to be the quintessential taste of Sabah that tourists want to share with their friends and family back home.
It started about a decade ago when tourists who came to enjoy the various attractions in Sabah were looking for good food but not always able to get it.
“After having seafood, and some local specialties, they would ask for local fruits. But local fruits wasn’t always available... depending on the season, so they would go for the next best alternative,” said tourist guide Philip Wong who specialises in the Chinese-speaking market.
These tourists specifically asked for durian, the king of fruits, as well as jackfruit, avocado and mango — all seasonal fruits.
Ice cream potong in various fruity flavours became the alternative, and confectionery company Taluwang Sdn Bhd, arguably the most famous producer in the state, recognised that this demand would grow.
“Gradually, word spread... through word of mouth, on social media sites and through the tourism industry and now, almost everyone will try it when visiting Sabah.
“They like the durian flavour best. They say it tastes a lot like the actual fruit, but without the pungency. It also has bits of the real fruit in it,” said Wong.
He estimates that some 70 per cent of tourists from China and Taiwan in particular would buy the ice cream potong to take back home.
“Most tourists will buy two to three boxes (of 12 pieces each) but I’ve encountered tourists who buy up to eight cartons to bring home for their friends and co-workers,” said Wong
Taluwang produces eight flavours of ice cream potong — durian, cempedak, mango, avocado, yam, cendol, red bean and sweet corn — which are sold individually in styrofoam boxes of 12 each which can keep for three hours, or specially-packed cartons of various sizes which last up to seven hours.
Each ice cream potong is also individually wrapped in colourful packaging, depicting people dressed in Kadazan traditional dress doing the Sumazau dance, and the proboscis monkey.
“The durian flavour is the most popular. It accounts for some 50 per cent of the total sales of the product. People love it because it’s got a 20 per cent actual fruit filling so they can taste the flavour of local durian all year round,” said Taluwang general manager Fiona Soo.
Although prices have increased since it started selling 20 years ago for 80 sen, it is still considered cheap at between RM2 to RM2.60 per stick at most places.
It is not typically dairy-based like most ice creams but uses coconut milk which helps keep the cost low while being still deliciously creamy.
“The fact that it is a local product, and has local flavours is the biggest selling point,” she said, adding that even those who have never tried the durian fruit have liked the ice cream.
Soo said that tourist purchases make up some 80 per cent of its total sales in the city, which includes its kiosk at the airport and at various shops in the departure lounge.
Sales have been consistent in the three years since the kiosk opened at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Kiosk manager Sebastian Chin said that they can sell on average 150 boxes total at the airport per day, or 1,800 sticks.
“The figure doubles during peak season when we sell up to 300 boxes per day,” he said. .
To make it convenient for travellers, Taluwang sells them by the boxload conveniently packed with extra padding so it can last up to 10 hours and they can be checked in with ease.
“I think the food culture for Chinese and Taiwanese is a big factor also. They love to snack, and buy food for their family and friends. The ice cream potong is something different and the durian flavour is novel for them,” said Chin.
According to him, Sabah’s ice cream potong has earned such a good reputation among tourists that they often buy it again when they return to the state and many also request it from their friends who travel here.
“It’s a good souvenir for them, an alternative to local handicrafts, Sabah Tea, or other snacks,” he said.
