Turning A Froggy Surprise Into A Fragrant Speciality
This video was filmed before the outbreak of COVID-19 locally.
First of all, our heartiest congratulations to Jurong Frog Farm on their anniversary today (29 Oct)! Yes, 39 years ago on this date in 1981, Jurong Frog Farm was officially registered as a company, kicking off Mr Wan Bock Thiaw's dream of breeding American Bullfrogs commercially.
Fast forward to 2020 and the farm (now considered a "heritage farm") is still Singapore's only licenced frog farm, but one that has embraced and engages the community both on site (through hands-on frog-related activities) and online (their website and social media channels are as exuberant as their mascot, Gabbe).
One glance at JFF's online platforms, and you can tell that the family (including Mr Wan's son, Jackson, and daughter, Chelsea) that runs the business are ardent fans of their amphibians, and long for you and me to share that fervour for frogs.
At the farm (which moved from it original location at Old Jurong Road in 1993 to the Agro-Technology Park in Lim Chu Kang), you can choose to do any or all of the following: feed frogs, catch frogs, eat frogs - adhering to safe distancing measures at all times, of course.
There's no doubt that the business model here leverages on the consumer's fascination and curiosity (and lack of knowledge) of these creatures that measure between 100mm to 176mm in length. To put that into perspective, an iPhone X measures 143.6mm.
School tours and family tours are popular, and a "Frogologist" will give you an eye-opening show-and-tell, with an opportunity to get a hands-on experience with your new froggy friends. (Although how you can cook and consume your "friend" thereafter is a bit strange, but, oh well, 2020 is strange AF anyway.)
In this episode of "Surprise Supplies", Jackson, also JFF's Operations Manager, drops by with some of the farm's specialities, prmopting our host and MasterChef Singapore runner-up Gen Lee to, ahem, hop right into the challenge and turn her froggy surprise into a fragrant speciality.
If you're inspired to visit the farm, you can find them at 56, Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, Singapore 719164:
If you want to skip all the "educational" bits and the only way you love frogs is in a kung pao porridge, then your trip to this 鸟不生蛋的地方 (aka place where birds don't lay eggs) will still be a fruitful one.
Here, you can find farm-fresh frog meat (frog legs, whole frogs and even minced frog meat for pets) and premium products (hashima) that are free of antibiotics, hormones and steroids.
The farm is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, 9am to 5.30pm.
Tours and pickups of online purchases are from Tuesdays to Fridays, 9am to 5.30pm.
"Surprise Supplies" is also available on Wonderwall.sg's IGTV channel.
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