Wild grapes

Originally a wild plant, wild grapes were once considered just a snack for children in the Bay Nui region. However, this fruit has gradually become a specialty as it has gained more recognition, a unique piece of the An Giang mountain region's produce.

Wild plant species

Having traveled extensively throughout the Bay Nui region, I've seen many kinds of wild fruits originating from this land, among which wild grapes have made a particularly strong impression due to their abundance, growth characteristics, and culinary value. I still remember the time I went up Phu Cuong mountain to search for wild grapes with Mr. Tran Dai Lam, a resident of Tinh Bien ward; it was truly an eye-opening experience.

Wild grapevines typically bear many clusters of fruit. Photo: MINH QUAN

Phu Cuong Mountain is of moderate height, not part of the legendary Seven Mountains, but it possesses a unique, unspoiled beauty. After a tiring climb up the slope, we arrived at an old bamboo grove with several wild grapevines clinging to it. Mr. Lam explained: “Wild grapevines have a very strong vitality. In the dry season, they curl up patiently, waiting for the rain to come, then they flourish again, bloom, and bear fruit. In the past, wild grapes were quite abundant in this area. The children who herded buffalo and cows used to pick ripe wild grapes to eat. Wild grapes have a very distinctive sweet and sour taste, which is enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.”

According to Mr. Lam, each wild grape vine has many clusters of fruit. Each cluster can contain hundreds of grapes. They grow along bamboo forests or cling to the branches of large trees. When we visited in early June of the lunar calendar, the wild grapes were just beginning to bear young fruit. Clusters of grapes hung precariously on the vines, creating a striking impression for those seeing them for the first time. The young grapes are green and have a very unique sour taste. Each ripe cluster of wild grapes can weigh 500-700g or more. Ripe wild grapes have a distinctive purple color, which is very pleasing to the eye.

Once this vine attaches itself to a tree, that tree will not thrive. Therefore, for a time, wild grapevines were shunned by the locals because they offered no economic benefit. They simply bloomed, bore fruit, and then fell to the ground in the forest. Only those who truly wanted to eat them sought out this wild fruit.

Become a specialty

Over time, wild grapes have been exploited for their economic value by the local people. They gather them to make wine, enjoying the delicious taste from the mountains. Ripe wild grapes, when soaked in wine, take on a very beautiful color. Therefore, people in the mountainous region have started "hunting" for this fruit more and more.

Settling at the foot of Phu Cuong mountain, Mr. Nguyen Van Son is quite knowledgeable about wild grapes. He revealed: "To make wild grape wine, just pick ripe grapes, wash them thoroughly, and let them dry. Then, put the grapes in a jar, add rock sugar, and pour in the wine. Soak the grapes for a month, and you'll have a batch of fragrant and delicious wine. It needs to be diluted before drinking. This is a specialty; I only serve it to guests from afar so they can experience the flavors of the mountains and forests."

When we arrived, he brought out a jar of wild grape wine for us travelers to try. The sweet and sour taste, with its slightly pungent forest flavor, was truly unique. Mr. Son said that people have been making wine from wild grapes for a long time, but it wasn't considered a specialty until now. With the development of social media, wild grape wine has been widely introduced, so more people know about it and seek it out to enjoy.

“People are starting to think about selling wild grapes to earn extra income. Because it’s a ‘gift’ from the forest, the quantity is quite limited. Like me, I only sell to a few regular customers in Long Xuyen and Chau Doc, earning a few hundred thousand dong each season. If I don’t use it all, I share it with customers who need it, rather than going around harvesting wild grapes to sell for money. Only those who truly want to earn income from wild grapes go around collecting large quantities to sell to customers,” Mr. Son explained.

Along the road from Thoi Son ward to Tinh Bien ward, tourists can easily find stalls selling wild grapes and various types of wine made from this fruit. According to the vendors, ripe wild grapes cost 50,000 VND/kg. Wild grape wine costs 50,000 VND/liter, with higher prices for better, richer varieties. In addition, there are also wild grapes fermented using a method of layering grapes and rock sugar for several months, creating a delicious mixture that is popular among women.

As a wild plant of the highlands, wild grapes reflect the diversity in how the people of the Bay Nui region exploit nature. If you have the opportunity to visit this land, you should try wild grape wine once to feel the rich flavor distilled from the sun and wind of the majestic That Son region.

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/dan-da-nho-rung-a461843.html