LALAPAN
How a plate of greens spoke love
For much of my childhood, love came wrapped in daun pisang (banana leaves), folded into rice, or hidden among raw greens. It didn’t need to be said out loud. My grandmother showed it through every plate she prepared - no grand gestures, just the quiet rhythm of chopping, pounding, and plating.
When we visited her kampung in Indonesia, we’d arrive to a table already full. Not just of food, but of intention.
The sambal (chili paste) was always ground fresh, the rice still warm from the steamer, and the dishes, each one tailored to our favourite tastes. But what stood out most was the lalapan (a selection of raw vegetables and herbs), a handful of raw herbs and vegetables arranged beside every meal. Uncooked and unadorned, yet it grounded every dish, brought freshness, and offered balance.
Some days it was slices of timun (cucumber) and selasih (lemon basil), other days wild leaves I never learned the names of. She never explained their purpose. But I came to understand it anyway. It was her way of saying, “I thought of you. I prepared this, just for you.”.
Fragrance Notes
Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Lemongrass, Basil, Cucumber, Rice, Pandan, Vetiver, Black Pepper
