Kacang Kuda snack trade off to roaring start in England

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Gregory Goh has met with immediate success after starting his own brand of flavoured chickpeas or Kacang Kuda called Cheeky P's in England's North East.
Orders are flooding in just two months after the high fibre and protein rich Cheeky P's was launched, Newcastle-based The Chronicle reported yesterday.
It said a string of delicatessens and independent grocery outlets across the North East are stocking the snack.
Cheeky P's are selling at around 40 places, including The Deli Around the Corner in Tynemouth, the Tyneside Bar Café at Tyneside Cinema, Almonds and Raisins in Newcastle's Grainger Market, Dene's Deli in Jesmond and Brocksbushes Farm Shop at Corbridge.
Goh, 24, hopes to get a slice of the lucrative UK snack market with his black pepper and curry flavoured roasted chickpeas, which are healthier than potato crisps and salty nuts.
"Back home you will always find a woman with a cart by the street side selling Kacang Kuda," he was quoted as saying. "They steam the chickpeas until they are soft and then sell them warm in cups or cones with salt. Trust me, if you go to Asia, you will find them on every street corner."
Goh has developed the two flavours and came up with the concept of Cheeky P. Unlike traditional Kacang Kudas that are steamed, Cheeky P's are roasted.
"I want people to see that chickpeas have more uses than just hummus, and that there can be healthier alternatives to crisps," he said.
"The snack market is still dominated by traditional potato snacks and there is a lack of innovation. There are more wholesome options coming on to the market, but there is nothing in this form."
The Malaysian has the backing of a Newcastle University support programme for student and graduate entrepreneurs, which has given him unrivalled access to some of the region's best business brains, the report said.
Goh followed his sister to the UK after attending college in Australia. He completed his accountancy and finance degree at Newcastle University.
"When I finished I felt a bit lost. I quickly realised accountancy wasn't what I wanted to do so I came up with this idea of the chickpeas," he said.
"The university offered me the chance to take part in its Rise Up programme which helps you explore new ideas and get training to start up a business. At first I was reluctant but then thought, 'Why not give it a shot?'"
"I pitched my idea to a Rise Up panel made up of local business owners and experts. They liked it and offered me a grant to help test my idea and start developing Cheeky P's."