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Indonesians fired up by soaring chili prices
[Straits Times] IN SPICE-CRAZED Indonesia, a meal without fresh chilies is almost unthinkable.But prices have soared as much as 10-fold in recent months - some say because of climate change - driving up inflation and pulling everyone from housewives to the president into the debate. Grow your own, some say. Or what about using bottled hot sauces instead? With unusually heavy rainfalls decimating crops, the country's most popular ingredient is hovering at between US$10 (S$13) to US$11 per kg - making it more expensive than beef. That's put a serious dent in wallets - many people in this nation of 237 million earn less than US$200 a month - but few are willing to cut back. 'Food is tasteless without sambal!' said Nining, a mother of three, referring to the fiery condiment made of the green and red 'lombok' chilies. 'My kids won't eat a thing without it!' Rising global temperatures and wild shifts in weather are hurting palates elsewhere. Posted by: Fred 2011-02-11 |
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