Indonesians grow chillies on rooftops and balconies as domestic prices skyrocket due to drought

Indonesian housewife Siti Nur Asipah caring for the bird’s eye chilli plants she grows on her rooftop garden in East Jakarta. ST PHOTO: LINDA YULISMAN
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JAKARTA - From West Sumatra’s dendeng balado (chilli beef) to North Sulawesi’s spicy chicken rica-rica stew, Indonesian food is never complete without chilli.

Even fast-food chains McDonald’s and KFC are turning up the heat in their menus, dishing out crispy chicken slathered in sambal.

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