Snacks

Pickled guava and ambarella

At break time there was always a cart or a shoulder-pole seller at the school gate with ambarella, guava and green mango. She cut it into pieces, dropped them in a plastic bag, sprinkled bright red chilli salt and shook it all together, handing over a toothpick or a bamboo skewer to spear the pieces with.

One crunchy bite: sour that made the tip of your tongue tingle, then a sting of chilli, then sweetness. Everyone hissed and fanned their mouths and still jostled to buy more. Teachers warned that too much would give you a stomach ache, but hardly anyone listened, because that little bag tasted better than any warning.

Do you remember? Do you like your chilli salt really fiery, or just a little?

💬 Everyone's memories

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