Oil Palm Unplugged: ‘Sawit’ stories you didn’t know you neededJoseph Tek Choon Yee We all know that oil palm is called ‘sawit’ in Malaysia and Indonesia, but have you ever wondered where this catchy little word came from? Driven by curiosity and a strong dose of caffeine, I plunged into some desktop research. What I uncovered was as layered as the oil palm’s fruitlets and spikelets – juicy,...

Youth and palm oil: From sembang sawit to sparksJoseph Tek Choon Yee Palm oil has been many things to many people: a commodity, a controversy, a cooking staple and an economic lifeline. But beyond the headlines and heated debates lies a treasure trove of fascinating truths – little “did you knows” that remind us just how remarkable this crop and oil really is. Examples. A Taste of History. What...

Beyond the acres: The art of naming plantation estatesJoseph Tek Choon Yee In the early days of Malaysia’s plantations, life was tough, but creativity thrived in ways that still tickle our imagination. While latex and fresh fruit bunches flowed from the estates, so did stories of how these plantations got their names. These tales, laced with wit, humour, and a touch of eccentricity, form a rich...

Cracking the shell: What palm oil can learn from lobsters, oysters and olive oil?Joseph Tek Choon Yee When you think of lobsters and oysters today, you imagine candlelit dinners, fancy table settings and a hefty bill at the end. But would you believe these culinary stars were once the equivalent of canned sardines – cheap, abundant and looked down upon? Their transformation from “trash food” to...

Tragic struggle of oil palm against El NinoJoseph Tek Choon Yee It’s that time of year again —the monsoon season in Malaysia, when the entire country seems to morph into one giant splash zone. Floods dominate the headlines, the east coast is practically submerged, and Sarawak and Sabah are gearing up for their share of soggy days. As we wade through puddles, debating whether we should start...