Farm Visit: Cameron Organic Produce in Cameron Highland

I had been to Cameron Highland several times but this was the very first time i visited a vegetable farm. This is also one of the vegetable farms of Cameron Organic Produce. The farm is situated about 1km from Brinchang town. We met the owner of the farm, Mr. Lee in the Cameron Organic Produce Steamboat Restaurant at 10am and he took us to the farm.

One seed is placed inside one square box.

Then grow bigger..

And bigger before move to the farm..

Mr. Lee is very passionate about his organic planting and shared with us how he grows the vegetables without chemicals. He has seventeen years of experience in organic farming.

Place to make compost.

Mr. Lee made a small hole inside the compost and let me put my hand inside. It is warm inside! I really didn't expect it to be warm. He said the temperature can reach up to 70C due to fermentation. 

The compost was made of grass, vegetable leaves and coconut fibres. It takes 3 months to complete with weekly turning the mixtures. No bad smell at all.

Place to make fertilizer. Fertilizer is mixture of the compost, chicken manure and others. Err..this place is abit smelly...

The farm looks abit messy. Broccoli are growing with Gerland Chrysanthemum (茼蒿). Why? Because Gerland Chrysanthemum has the aroma that insects dislike.

A closer look to the Gerland Chrysanthemum which were just harvested. I am loving them with steamboat!

Same theory, leeks were grown around the corns. Leeks has the smell too. This explains well organic vege doesn't need chemical. But it takes alot of efforts from farmer to figure out this combination.



This is the broccoli's plant which is yet to grow the broccoli. One big plant like this only bear one broccoli and one time only due to the seeds supplied by vendor. After harvest, the plant will be used for compost making. It takes about  3.5 months to grow one broccoli! I wonder if the broccoli from China will take this long..

Beautiful baby bak choy.

I found these big red bayam veges in the middle of the farm.

Me: Mr. Lee, why your bayam is so old  (i have impression big and fat vege = old :P)?

Mr Lee: No.. big doesn't mean old, in fact they are very delicious!

I realise perhaps in organic world, big and fat vege are not old like those we find in market..

Hey...how many pair of Nike do you have?



Mini waterfall in the farm. Natural supply to the thirsty vege.

Guess what is this? Is Malaysian Lemon! The skin is thick but juicy inside. 

Another green one on the lemon tree..



Mr. Lee pointed out this naturally grown Chinese Mugwort (艾草) (the plan in the center of the picture). It has alot of benefits for woman. Also used by Chinese in Moxibustion (艾条灸) for certain treament. 

 .

Don't mistaken it is broccoli. It is actually broccoli + cauliflower. New breed.





So fresh from the farm..



The papers used to wrap vege to keep the vege freshness to consumer.  I am glad they don't use newspaper.



I was so happy and satisfied when walked out the farm. I have learnt so much and truly appreciate farmer like Mr. Lee whom work so hard to produce the "real" vegetables.  

Mr. Lee, my husband and me.

Farm: Cameron Organic Produce
Address: MDCH 10, Bandar Baru, 39100 Brinchang, Cameron Highlands
Tel: 05-4914807, 4915011.
Certification:  Skim Organik Malaysia (SOM)

Remarks:
1. It is recommended to make appointment in advance to schedule the visit.
2. Need someone to lead the way to the farm.
3. Fresh vegetables can be purchased from the Organic Steamboat at Brinchang (opposite Public Bank)
4. Don't forget to apply sunblock.

BOH Tea Plantation in Cameron Highland

BOH Tea Plantation is my must-visit place every time i come to Cameron.
To enter the plantation, take the hill lane near Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm in Brinchang.

The road to the plantation is narrow and windy. Giving a few honks to alert the incoming cars is inevitable. After the adventurous journey, we parked our car in the car park and walked about five minutes to the BOH Tea Centre.

The view of green rolling hills of tea plants is truly spectacular!!

BOH Plantations was founded in 1929 by J.A. Russell, a British businessman during the British colonial era in Malaya.

Tea, coconut tart, walnut carrot cake and short bread..yummy! Enjoyed the foods and enjoyed the ample oxygen...

The scenic and breathtaking view guarantee to relax any stressful mind.

Great about tea:
          1. Tea is rich with vitamins. It contains vitamin B1, carotene and B3.
          2. Tea is also contains high antioxidant which can neutralises free radicals. In animal studies, tea-drinking rats have less cancer.

So green.. if feel bored, can join the free tour to learn about the making of tea.

For me, i just want to sit still and enjoy the beauty of greeeeeeeeeeen....

              “tea amuses the evening…solaces the midnight… welcomes the morning” 
Samuel Johnson

Farm: Sg Palas BOH Tea Plantation
Address: Jalan Gunung Brinchang, Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.
Phone: 605-4962096
Hours: 9a-4.30p (Monday closed)

Remarks:
1. Do bring a tripod for panoramic photography.
2. Wear comfortable shoes as required some walking from the car park.
3. Bring a light jacket or sweater as the weather could be windy even in the afternoon.

Farm Visit: Water Crest Valley in Cameron Highland

Water Crest Valley is at Tringkap. If coming from Simpang Pulai, will not miss this landmark on the way to Brinchang.

View of the watercress farm from the restaurant. 

 

Admission to the farm is RM1 per person if not having any food in the restaurant. This is the path going to the farm which is quite steep.

Children and old people need to be careful with the steps.

Cute little flowers attracted me...

In fact, the view from the restaurant is equally good unless want to have a closer look on the watercress..

Great: Watercress contains significant amounts of iron, calcium, iodine, and folic acid, in addition to vitamins A and C. It acts as a stimulant, a source of petrochemicals and antioxidants, and a digestive aid.

A 2010 study conducted by the University of Southampton found that the consumption of watercress may also inhibit the growth of breast cancer.

Not so great: Watercress crops grown in the presence of manure can be a haven for parasite. This place looks pretty clean.

Clean water supplied to the farm. This part of the watercress were already harvested though.

The restaurant on the top.Yeah..we took the stairs down to the farm..

According to the owner, their watercress are organically grown. They served vegetarian steamboat, non-vegetarian steamboat and other home made dishes. And the steamboat is using charcoal instead of gas. 

The restaurant has really nice view.



Very pleasant experience to enjoy the farm view while eating.

We ordered a non-vegetarian steamboat for 2 person, RM60. Don't be intimidated by the soup color..haha

It was cooked with the watercress, black beans and other herbs. All you can taste is the aroma of watercress.

The dinner set came with chicken meat and Dory fish. I dislike Dory fish though, i would prefer a vegetarian steamboat next time.

The rest of the ingredients were great especially the water crest which were hiding underneath.

Here we go our hearty meal!

Having steamboat in cold weather and surrounded with such beautiful view was really enjoyable.

We ate slowly and enjoyed the view since nothing much to do in Cameron after dinner..

 

Farm: Water Crest Valley

Address: Lot UT/KF/F160, 159 Jalan Besar Batu 44, Tringkap, 39100 Cameron Highland

Tel: 05-4854329/ 05-4961071/ 012-5063252

Closed on Tuesday