TASIKMALAYA - Amid the widespread use of gadgets among the younger generation, a different scene is visible on the slopes of Mount Galunggung, Tasikmalaya. A group of primary school-aged children appeared to play cheerfully in the rice fields of the Cinyungcung Block, paying no attention to gadgets. For them, the rice field is not just agricultural land where their parents work, but an interactive playground offering real adventure and warm socialization.
On Saturday (11/7), children consisting of Akmal Maulana (12), Abay, Ihsan, and Evan filled their free time by hunting for kluwih (Artocarpus camansi) seeds. Beneath a shady old kluwih tree in a corner of the rice field, they carefully picked up ripe seeds that had fallen to the ground, after previously helping their parents weed the crops and chase away sparrows.
After successfully gathering a large quantity of fruit using their pockets and folded shirts, these children took their haul to a bamboo hut. There, the kluwih seeds were washed clean and then boiled traditionally using a wood-burning stove. "These kluwih seeds are very delicious when boiled. Usually, my father also often brings these home from the field to enjoy in the afternoon with coffee," revealed Abay, son of a local farmer named Eman.
Although the black outer skin of the kluwih seed may seem unappealing at first glance, the taste of the inside is quite a contrast. Boiled kluwih seeds have a soft texture and a savory-sweet flavor, similar to a blend of boiled peanuts and jackfruit seeds. This traditional snack, known locally as "opieun," grows abundantly in Tasikmalaya's volcanic soil and serves as a healthy snack alternative rich in carbohydrates and plant-based protein for the local community.
