Markets

One of my first posts almost a year ago was about the wet market that I visit in Singapore.  In case you missed it or would like a reminder, here's a link to the post about Tekka Market.  

Yesterday afternoon, Alan and I went to the NC State Farmers Market.  We love getting fresh and locally grown produce, locally made cheese, and will soon be venturing into locally raised meat.  In my opinion, these products taste so much better coming directly from the source and of course, we always enjoy supporting the local farmers.

As we were walking through the market it made me think of the differences between typical US farmers markets and the wet markets in Singapore or most Asian cities for that matter.  Sure, there are things that are the same...vendors pushing their products by giving you free tastes, items nicely arranged and organized on their tables, and a lot of people trying to fit through the aisles and jockey for space to purchase the goods. 

But there are also some differences at the wet markets in Asia:

• Aroma -  In Asia, the markets, for the most part, are divided into three sections.  1) Food to buy and take home to cook, 2) food to eat immediately, and 3) wares (clothing, household items, etc).  Because of the food court sections there are all these amazing aromas that your nose catches you when you walk in.  
• Food resembling itself when it was alive - As I mentioned in that first post about Tekka Market, in Asia, when you go to buy chicken or fish or whatever meat you want it is sitting on ice in the form in which it was alive.  The first few times you walk through the markets there it can kind of freak you out coming from the US where things are already pre-packaged.  But you get used to it and I now love that they will cut it exactly how I ask without complaint...and typically with a smile on their face.
• Heat - Okay, this may not be a fair comment since it was only in the 60s here yesterday and breezy.  The normal temps in Singers are in the 80s or low 90s and humid without a lot of breeze.  But it is a difference.  I left the farmers market yesterday without a drop of sweat on me, whereas, I am almost always completely drenched by the time I leave Tekka...hence my secret meaning for 'wet' market.
• Variety - This is nothing against the local farmers market at all but more just a statement on what is available in each.  Obviously, living in Singapore I'm in a tropical climate so I can get fresh mangoes or passionfruit or dragonfruit every week if I want.  We'll never see those items at a NC farmers market.  However, by the same token, I'll never see fresh peaches or locally grown strawberries at Tekka.  The same goes for the fish at Tekka.  There are some fish there that I've never seen before.  One of these days I may get the courage to try them...or at least ask what they are and how they taste...

I enjoy going to both types of markets.  As I said before, some of it is taking out the middleman and supporting the local guys.  Some of it is for the atmosphere and the visual stimulation of seeing the variety of foods.  Regardless, I encourage you to head out to a local farmers market whenever you can.  You don't have to buy a thing...just walk through and take in the atmosphere and overhear the conversations and enjoy being outside. 

I must confess, I haven't actually been to Tekka Market in Singapore to buy produce and meat for quite some time. I've been taking the easy route and just purchasing it at the grocery store.  I'm going to make a conscious effort to return to my weekly Sunday morning trip once I head back.