Wild grapes

Originally a wild plant, wild grapes were only considered a snack for children in the Bay Nui region in the past. However, this fruit gradually became a specialty when it became known to many people, a unique piece of the products of the mountains and forests of An Giang.

Wild plants

Having traveled across the Bay Nui region for a long time, I have seen many types of wild fruits grown in this land, among which wild grapes have left a special impression due to their fruit yield, growth characteristics and culinary value. I still remember the time I went up to Phu Cuong mountain to look for wild grapes with Mr. Tran Dai Lam, a resident of Tinh Bien ward, it really opened my eyes.

Wild grape vines often bear many clusters of fruit. Photo: MINH QUAN

Phu Cuong Mountain has a moderate height, not belonging to the legendary That Son, but contains a unique wildness. After a while of climbing the steep slope, we came to an old bamboo tree with some wild grape vines hanging over it. Mr. Lam said: “Wild grape vines have a very strong vitality. In the dry season, they curl up and wait patiently, when the rain comes, they will flourish again, then flower and bear fruit. In the past, there were quite a lot of wild grapes in this area. Children herding buffaloes and cows often picked ripe wild grapes to eat. Wild grapes have a very distinctive sweet and sour taste, not only children but also adults love them.”

According to Mr. Lam, each wild grape vine has many clusters of fruit. Each cluster has up to hundreds of fruits. They grow along bamboo forests or swing from the canopy of large trees. When we arrived in early June of the lunar calendar, the wild grapes had young fruit. Each cluster of fruit hung precariously on the vine, creating an impression for those who saw it for the first time. The young grapes are green and have a very strange sour taste. Each bunch of wild grapes when ripe can weigh 500 - 700g or more. The wild grapes when ripe have a characteristic purple color, very pleasing to the eye.

Once this vine has attached itself to a tree, it will not grow well. Therefore, there was a time when wild grapevines were “ignored” by local people because they did not bring economic benefits. They just quietly bloom, bear fruit, and then fall in the forest. Only those who really want to eat them will seek out this wild fruit.

Become a specialty

Over time, wild grapes have been exploited for their economic value by local people. People find them to soak in wine, enjoying the delicious taste of the mountains and forests. Ripe wild grapes when soaked in wine will have a very beautiful color. Therefore, people in the mountains began to "hunt" for this fruit 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, and drain them. Then, put the grapes in a jar, add rock sugar, and pour in the wine. Just soak the grapes for 1 month to get a batch of delicious wine. People have to dilute it before using it. This is a specialty, I only use it to entertain guests from far away to experience the taste of the mountains and forests.”

The day we arrived, he brought out a jar of wild grape wine for his friend to try. The sweet and sour taste, the pungent flavor of the forest was truly special. Mr. Son said that wild grapes have been soaked in wine for a long time, but it was not considered a specialty. When social networks developed, wild grape wine was widely introduced, so many people knew and sought to enjoy it.

“People are starting to think about selling wild grapes to earn more income. Because they are “gifts” from the forest, the quantity is quite limited. Like me, I only sell to a few acquaintances in Long Xuyen and Chau Doc with a revenue of a few hundred thousand dong per season. If I can’t use it all, I share it with customers in need, I don’t go out to harvest wild grapes to sell for money. Only those who really want to earn income from wild grapes collect large quantities to sell to customers,” Mr. Son explained.

Along the route from Thoi Son ward to Tinh Bien ward, visitors can easily find stalls selling wild grapes and wines made from this fruit. According to the sellers, ripe wild grapes cost 50,000 VND/kg. Wild grape wine costs 50,000 VND/liter, and if it is a more delicious and flavorful type, the price will double. In addition, there are wild grapes fermented by soaking a layer of grapes and a layer of rock sugar for several months to create a delicious mixture of water, which is popular with women.

Being a wild plant of the highlands, wild grapes reflect the diversity in the way people exploit nature in the Seven Mountains region. If you have the opportunity to visit this land, you should try wild grape wine to feel the richness crystallized from the sun and wind in the majestic That Son region.

THANH TIEN

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