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 Home●Food
and Fruit
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Fruit |
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Indigenous tropical fruits include bananas, coconuts, grapes, lychees,
mandarin oranges, melons, pineapples as well as exotic varieties like the
three-seeded cherry and the green dragon fruit. |
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Banana (Chuoi) |
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Bananas offer various mineral substances and energy. Bananas are not only a
delicious fruit when ripe, but green bananas are also part of some dishes.
Banana flower is mixed in delicious salads.
Banana tree trunks, when young, can be eaten as a vegetable, and banana tree
roots can be cooked with fish, or mixed in salads.
Several banana varieties grow all over the country. Tieu bananas are the most
popular kind; they are small and smell sweet when ripe. Ngu and Cau bananas are
small with a thin peel. Tay bananas are short, big, and straight, and can be
fried or cooked in meals. Tra Bot bananas are widely planted in the south; their
peel is yellow or brown when ripe with a white pulp. When Tra Bot bananas are
not ripe, they taste sour. In the Southeast, there are a lot of Bom bananas.
They look like Cau bananas, but their peel is thicker and their pulp is not as
sweet. |
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Custard Apple (Mang Cau - Na) |
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In ViętNam, there are two kinds of custard apple: firm and soft. Both varieties
can have various shapes, for example they can be round or oval.
When a custard
apples is ripe, it is easy to peel. The peel is thick, green, and covered with
white or green pollen. The pulp is white or light yellow and contains many black
seeds. In the south, custard apples ripen in July, but not all at the same time.
Firm custard apples are densely grown in the south, mainly in Ninh Thuan and
Vung Tau. Xiem custard apples are oval or heart shaped. Their peel is green with
thorns, which turn black when the fruit is ripe. The fruits are generally big
and can reach 1.5 kilograms. The pulp is white, hard, and a bit sour.
Custard apple
trees deliver fruit after three or four years of growth. A tree produces on
average from 50 to 100 fruits per year. The fruits ripens on the tree and then
cracks, especially during the rainy season. |
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Durian (Sau Rieng) |
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You may wonder why this fruit has to bear such an austere name as "sau rieng"
(one's own sorrows). If you are curious enough, travel to the orchard province
in southern ViętNam where the locals are likely to recite the immortal love
story. Long ago, there was a young couple that lived in the region. Because of
social prejudices that could not be overcome, the couple sought their own deaths
in order to be faithful to each other. Their own sorrows received the
population's sympathies, and the story of their tragedy has been handed down
from generation to generation. To commemorate the couple, the locals have named
one of their most valuable fruits sau rieng.
Durian is an expensive fruit. One Durian fruit is five to six times larger than
a Mango. Its skin is thick, rough, and covered with sharp thorns. With a gentle
cut between the edges of the outer shell, you can easily open the fruit to
expose the layers of bright yellow segments of meat that make the pulp look like
it is covered with a thin layer of butter.
Literature writer Mai Van Tao once wrote about the particularly good smell of
the Durian. He wrote, "The dense fragrance which spreads near and far, lingers a
long time before disappearing. The strong smell can go straight to your
nostrils, even though you are still several meters away from the fruit. The
fragrance of Durian is a mixture of smells which come from a ripening jackfruit
and that of a shaddock. It can also be compared to the strong smell of
foreign-made cheese and is rich as a hen's egg. Others describe the fruit as
sweet as well-kept honey. All things considered, Durian has a special tempting
smell.Those who have not enjoyed the fruit before may find it hard to eat. But
once they have tried it, they are likely to seek it again." |
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Green Dragon (Thanh Long) |
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Green dragon is the name of a newly cultivated fruit. It is rather big, weighs
from 200 to 500 grams, and has pink or dark-red colour. The ripe fruit looks
like the kohlrabi cabbage and has an oval shape.When ripe, the fruit peels as
easily as a banana. Its pulp is white and gelatinous. The pulp contains many
seeds that cannot be extracted. The seeds taste like cactus, giving the fruit a
sweet and sour taste.
Before 1945, green dragon fruits were not sold in southern markets. It is said
that Americans brought green dragon fruits to the south. From Phan Thiet to Nha
Trang or from Ninh Hoa to Buon Ma Thuot, bushes of green dragon fruits can be
seen climbing to tree trunks in gardens and even on doors.Different from any
other southern fruit, its harvest season is particular; fruits become available
in markets in October, November, April, and May. They are more expensive in
October and April, since there are smaller quantities available. |
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Jackfruit (Mit) |
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Jackfruits contain a lot of sugar and calories. They grow on every part of the
tree: the trunk, branches, and even on the roots. Jackfruit trees bear
approximately 150 to 200 fruits per year. When the fruit are ripe, their pulp is
yellow and sweet, containing a lot or little juice depending on the species.
Jackfruits without seeds are planted densely in the Mekong Delta region.
To nu jackfruits are small and come from a short tree. The flesh of ripe fruit
is firmly stuck to the core; when eating a jackfruit, simply hold the core and
pull it out. In the south, the to nu jackfruit harvest season starts from March
to June. There are several other species of jackfruits divided into two main
groups: hard jackfruits with hard and crunchy flesh, and soft jackfruits with
soft flesh and a lot of juice. |
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Longan (Nhan) |
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Longan trees are grown in larger numbers in the northern provinces than in the
southern region. The most famous Longan comes from former Hung Yen province. In
the old days, Hung Yen Longans were among the food items reserved as tributes to
the Kings.
The fruit is as small as the tip of a thumb. Inside the thin and light brown
skin is the transparent white pulp which covers a small glossy black seed. The
thicker the pulp, the juicier, more fragrant, and crisp the pulp. Longan is a
protein rich fruit. It is usually used as a main ingredient, along with lotus
seeds, to make sweet soup, which is considered a very good summer refreshment.
The seedless longan, when dried, is also a very fine choice for connoisseurs. |
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Mango (Xoai) |
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Mangoes, xoai in Viętnamese, are grown in most southern provinces. The most
reputed mangoes come from Cao Lanh District in Dong Thap Province.
Mangoes are divided into several kinds, known locally as xoai cat, xoai tuong,
xoai xiem and xoai ngua to cite just a few. The finest mangoes are xoai cat.
This type of fruit has a bright yellow peel, a round shape, and weighs as much
0.5 kilograms. The meat is considered sweeter and more fragrant than that of
other varieties. |
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Mangosteen (Mang Cut) |
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The name and the shape of this fruit does not look attractive to those who first
see it. The fruit is a bit smaller than a tennis ball and has a dark violet
rough skin. When you peel off the upper part of the fruit with a small sharp
knife, you can see the transparent white pulp inside arranged in equal segments.
While lifting each segment of the transparent white meat to your mouth you can
imagine the light and pure refreshment that leaves a little sour taste lingering
in your mouth. |
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Papaya (Du Du) |
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Papaya is sold all year round, especially in the south, and is not very
expensive. It has a sweet smell and is rich in various minerals and vitamins,
including vitamin A and C.
In the south, one of the popular varieties of papaya is the
one with red, thick pulp that has a fragrance but that does not contain much
sugar.
This species is grown in the Mekong Delta region and in the area close to
the Cambodian border. Another species of papaya available in the south is the
one with yellow or orange peel.
Papayas are not as abundant in the north. Because
of the colder climate, fruits take a longer time to ripen. |
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Persimmon (Hong) |
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ViętNam has many kinds of persimmon such as my with yellow fruit and cado with
small fruit. Persimmon is famous for providing a lot of sugar and vitamin A.
Persimmon fruits contain as much vitamin C as oranges and tangerines, and their
pulp does not have a sour taste.
Persimmon can be either round or in the shape of a heart.
Persimmon fruits are
divided into two kinds: bitter and sweet. Bitter persimmon fruits are edible
when they are green and hard, but is very sweet when the fruit is ripe. The
fruit of sweet persimmon are always sweet, even when green and hard.
In the
north, persimmon is grown widely; the most popular varieties include Lang
persimmon in Lang Son and Hac persimmon in Hac Tri. In the south, persimmon can
only be planted in the highlands of Da Lat.
In Oriental medicine, persimmon is
considered effective to reduce high blood pressure and relieve abdominal pain.
Persimmon trees can be trimmed into ornamental trees. When their leaves fall
down, fruits still hang onto the branches. |
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Phuc Trach Sweet Polemo
(Buoi Duong Phuc Trach) |
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There are several kinds of regional polemo growing areas famous for their
particular taste; each fruit is named after the locality where it is grown.
These polemo include buoi Doan Hung, buoi Phuc Trach, buoi Bien Hoa, and buoi
Thuan Hai, to cite just a few.
On the way from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by
train, you are sure to stop at Phuc Trach Station in Huong Pho District on the
central coast. One of the few food specialties offered to passengers by local
vendors are the polemo, commonly called buoi Phuc Trach.
The strong fragrance
the fruit boasts will likely ensure that you never forget the name of the fruit.
When the polemo is eaten, its slightly sweet taste lingers in the mouth and at
the same time helps connoisseurs feel energetic.
The Phuc Trach polemo has been
widely famous in the country after it was awarded a medal at a national fruit
fair organized in 1938. Phuc Trach polemos are also exported to Hong Kong. The
Far East Economic Review remarked: "In ViętNam's central coast there is a
particularly delicious polemo. Kept after a while, the juice in the polemo
segments becomes muddy, as if some sort of sugar in itself. " |
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Pineapple (Dua) |
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Pineapple plants are widely grown in the country. The peak ripening time for
this tropical fruit coincides with summer when the hours of sunshine are longer.
People in southern ViętNam usually call this tropical fruit trai thom (fragrant
fruit), which is literally a precise quote for the fruit since anyone who takes
their first bite can surely notice the strong sweet smell. Since the smell of
the pineapples lingers longer than that of some other fruits, connoisseurs find
it difficult to forget.
Pineapples are processed into different products such as canned pineapple,
pineapple liquor, sweet preserved pineapple liquor, and sweet preserved
pineapple. There is also a special juicy drink that is available only in pineapple
farming areas.
Growers squeeze the fruit into a juice which is then mixed with the
yoke of a hen's egg before being thoroughly stirred together to become a muddy
drink. The drink is said to be very sweet, creamy, and nutritious. (Caution:
There is a risk of salmonella poisoning). |
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Rambutan (Chom Chom) |
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A rambutan tree has broad foliage and many branches. In the southern provinces,
the tree yields fruit at the beginning of the rainy season.
The chom chom fruit season lasts until the end of the rainy season (from
May through October).
The skin of
this fruit is tough, thick and hairy. Its meat is transparent white and tender,
and has a cool sweet taste in the mouth.
The most reputed rambutan fruit nation-wide is grown in Binh Hoa Phuoc village
in Long Ho district in Vinh Long Province, some 50 kilometres north of Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon.
During the rambutan season one can notice the typical bright red colour of
rambutan fruit stands located in the markets, along road and at intersections
throughout the southern provinces. |
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Sapodilla (Hong Xiem) |
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Sapodilla was imported to ViętNam a long time ago. In the last 20 years,
sapodilla has been widely planted in the north, where it grew for the first time
in Xuan Dinh, Tu Liem District, Ha Noi.
Sapodilla fruit is shaped like an egg and
weighs from 10 to 200 grams. Its peel is brown with tiny cracks near the stalk.
The pulp, which is brown and yellow, is very juicy and smells very sweet. When
it is not ripe, it is not edible because it contains a lot of sticky resin.
There are two popular species of sapodilla grown in ViętNam: orange pulp and
white-yellow pulp sapodilla. The orange pulp sapodilla is planted in the north
on the highlands. The pulp of the white-yellow sapodilla is light yellow or
yellow and the peel is green or yellow.
The peel is thin; the pulp is soft and
has taste of peach, banana, and apple. Sapodilla flower consecutively bloom in
bunches so that it has fruits to offer throughout the year. |
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Star Apple (Vu Sua) |
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No better word than marvelous can be used to praise the tropical fruit with the
name Vu Sua (milk from the breast). Upon entering a star apple orchard, the most
famous located in
Can Tho Province in the Mekong River Delta, visitors can see the
hundreds of star apples suspended from the branches.
The round smooth fruit are
all of equal size. The shape of the star apple resembles its name,
as does its juice which is fragrantly sweet and milky white like breast milk.
If visitors are unfamiliar to the region, they can be guided by locals on how to
enjoy the fruit. A novice will peel the fruit with a sharp knife,
which may cause the precious juice inside to be wasted. When using a knife to
cut the fruit, it is advisable to cut the fruit into two parts before using a
spoon to scoop out the pulp, bit by bit, until nothing is left.
The orchard owners enjoy the fruit by eating the whole
fruit.
Remember, before drinking the juice you must squeeze the tough fruit
until it becomes tender so that the juice mixes with the meat of the fruit to
become a sweet and fragrant muddy substance that looks like breast milk.
People drill a small hole at the top of the fruit, lift it to
their mouths, lean their heads backward, and drink the flow of the fragrant
juice as a baby sucks milk from its mother's breast. |
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Thieu Litchi (Vai Thieu) |
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Thieu is the name dedicated to a special kind of litchi grown in Hai Duong
Province. The Thieu Litchi is a bit bigger than the longan. Unlike the skin of
the longan, which is rather smooth, the dark red skin of the litchi is rough and
rippled.
The meat of the litchi is also transparent white, but it is thicker and
juicier than that of a longan. The litchi seed is also smaller than the longan
seed. |
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Foodstuffs & Fruits |
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