The rotten seeds have now become "black gold worth millions" causing traders to compete to buy them.

(Dan Tri) - Not only famous for its characteristic aroma in cuisine, this type of seed is also of interest to many medical experts thanks to its valuable active ingredients that aid digestion, fight inflammation and improve health.

When it comes to the cuisine of the Northwest highlands, gourmets will find it hard to forget the simple yet attractive dipping sauce made from roasted Doi seeds, pounded with white salt, adding fresh chili and a few drops of lemon or kumquat. A strange aroma rises from the dipping bowl, mildly spicy on the tip of the tongue, leaving a lingering aftertaste in the throat.

When roasted and crushed, this tiny seed will release a distinctive aroma. Its mild spicy flavor is enough to bring out the soul of many familiar dishes such as boiled chicken, grilled meat, blood pudding or buffalo jerky.

Grilled and pounded Doi seeds with salt and chili are the spices that make up the soul of Northwestern cuisine (Photo: Getty).

This plant, once facing extinction, has now been revived and become a staple crop, thanks to increasing market demand and its uses recognized by scientists .

Currently, dried doi seeds are classified as a high-value specialty, with a common selling price of 1-4 million VND/kg depending on the origin and quality of the seeds.

The Do tree and its precious seed life cycle

The dổi tree, scientifically named Michelia tonkinensis or Manglietia conifera, belongs to the Magnolia family. This is a straight tree species, can grow up to 30 meters high, is perennial and adapts well to deep forests and high mountains.

In addition to providing grain, dổi wood is also very popular in the carpentry industry thanks to its light, durable, termite-resistant properties and is often used to make high-end furniture.

In many mountainous areas in the North such as Hoa Binh (old), it is not difficult to see ancient Do trees standing tall, with trunks as big as communal house pillars, preserved by people for many generations.

The Doi tree is mainly distributed naturally in the Northwest region. Recently, some localities in the Central Highlands have experimented with planting Doi and obtained positive results. However, the climate and soil of the Northwest region are still the most ideal environment for the tree to grow and produce high quality seeds.

Highlanders harvest wild anise seeds around October to November every year (Photo: Getty).

Every year around October and November is the season of ripe wild doi seeds. At that time, ethnic minorities in the Northwest mountains go into the forest to pick doi seeds to eat or sell.

Unlike other fruit trees, people do not climb up to pick the seeds but wait for them to fall naturally. To collect the intact seeds, foresters often hang nets or nets under the roots to catch the seeds, considered the "black gold" of the Northwest.

Old trees 60 years old or older can yield 50-60kg of dry seeds per season. After harvesting, the seeds are usually dried and stored in bamboo tubes on the kitchen shelf. This preservation method helps the seeds to avoid mold and retain their characteristic aroma.

Among the varieties of Doi, Lac Son glutinous rice Doi is considered the most valuable. The seeds are small, uniform in color, have a dark yellow color mixed with black and a fragrant smell when roasted. Compared to Doi te which has large seeds but little smell or sometimes has a strong smell, Doi nep always has a higher value and is sought after by culinary experts as well as connoisseurs of specialty products.

From rustic spices to natural medicines

Not only present in meals, Doi seeds are also highly valued for their medicinal properties.

Some recent studies by Hanoi University of Pharmacy and Vietnam Institute of Industrial Chemistry show that Doi seeds contain many valuable compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids and safrol essential oil - ingredients with antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

According to the Journal of Natural Products & Food Chemistry (2022), anise seed extract has the effect of increasing gastric juice secretion, stimulating digestion and reducing symptoms of bloating and indigestion.

Dried anise seeds are used as a spice and folk medicine to aid digestion and reduce pain (Photo: Getty).

Researchers noted that the active ingredient safrol in the seeds of the plant has a similar structure to some compounds used in traditional medicine to support the digestive system.

In addition, the natural mineral content in Doi seeds such as iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus is beneficial for strengthening the immune system and improving blood circulation. In many regions, people also soak Doi seeds in wine as a massage medicine to help reduce bone and joint pain.

From a forgotten seed under the forest, doi seeds have appeared on the dining table, becoming a specialty gift with the strong flavor of the Northwest forest. The value of doi seeds lies not only in its unforgettable flavor but also in its potential as a precious medicinal herb, opening up a direction for sustainable economic development for people in the highlands.

Encouraging the conservation and planting of Acacia trees not only contributes to preserving native genetic resources but also creates long-term livelihoods in the trend of developing clean and safe agricultural products.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/loai-hat-roi-muc-nay-thanh-vang-den-bac-trieu-khien-thuong-lai-tranh-mua-20251103190306049.htm