Sand-Roasted Peanuts From Umphang

Although the plain Thailand province of Tak is not particularly suited for farming - it's rolling hills are more fitting for a picture postcard - agriculture does yield bumper harvests that have been the mainstay of local folk. Among the province's major agricultural produce are rice grains, maize, soybean, peanuts, cotton, vegetable and fruit. For residents of Umphang District, peanuts are the most popular and economic produce to cultivate and, as a result, the Farmers' Housewives of Baan Mae Klong Mai Group has found itself a new, derivative product. To add value to the rather humble peanut, they started roasting peanuts in hot sand in 1997.

Today roasted peanuts from this group have been selected as the 'OTOP item' (One Tambon, One Product) resulting from folk wisdom. The technique was developed through experimentation by sifting sand from the river to separate the fine pebbles to be used in the roasting process. It was found the pebbles retained heat longer.

Khun Supin Phothisuwan, Head of the Farmers' Housewives of Baan Mae Klong Mai Group, says care is need for every single step of the production process, starting with the selection of quality peanuts with smooth shells that are easily cleaned. Selected peanuts are cleaned and polished with sand to remove any soil residue from the shells. They are then left to dry in the sun for a couple of days before a further screening process takes place.

From this point, they are transferred to a wok of hot sand for the first roasting for half and hour and then a further 20 minutes in a second roasting. To ensure the heat is thoroughly absorbed, the peanuts are stirred regularly throughout the process. Once properly roasted, all remaining sand is removed by sifting and the peanuts shaken over a piece of moist, white cloth to ensure all dust is removed after the roasting stage.

Next, any peanuts of poor quality are screened out leaving wholesome, quality peanuts to be packaged using a special technique to retain the quality of the product. Air is thoroughly removed from the package before sealing.

Substandard peanuts are pealed and used as peanut herb - another by product from this enterprising Group of Farmers' Housewives.

Nowadays, roasted peanuts are a popular product of Umphang, available from practically every shop in Umphang and via the Phop Phra Agro-Tourism Promotion Center. The production process involves members of the Farmers' Housewives of Baan Mae Klong Mai Group each taking their turn in this collective enterprise. Approximately 80% of revenue from sales is distributed among participating members with the balance set aside to cover the group's costs of production.