"Tempe Benguk, Mom. Authentic from Wonogiri," said Surali while presenting a plate of sweetened tempeh benguk during a gathering in Jatirejo, Wonogiri. Benguk Tempeh is widely utilized by the people of Wonogiri as a tempeh dish. If you enter the Wonogiri region in Central Java, tempeh benguk can be found in markets, small eateries, and mobile vegetable vendors. Its crisps are also sold in small eateries and even souvenir shops.
"Tempe Benguk crisps are actually a specialty of Wonogiri too. But they are not as famous as cassava chips or tiwul rice, which have long been the trademarks of Wonogiri city," Surati explained during the break at the meeting. Cassava chips are cassava sliced roughly and dried, while tiwul rice is made from cassava flour, usually cooked with brown sugar. Amidst her duties as a farmer and mother of two, Surati had to allocate her time to accompany the women farmers' groups. They are the Harjaning Bumi, Dewi Sri, and Sidomulyo groups, all located in Sendang Mulyo village.