Puffed rice

We had the chance to visit a small family run business where they make traditional popped rice cakes.  The small village is known for these cakes, and the family has been making them for generations.  

First they heat river sand until it's black and steaming.  Then they add unhulled dried rice and stir until it pops.  

Then they sift out the sand and hulls. 

Then they add a syrup of coconut milk, fruit paste, and palm sugar.  The mixture basically turns into a kind of fruity rice crispy treat.