Sugarcane molasses from Khien village

QTO - With its delicious aroma and distinctive golden-brown color, sugarcane syrup from Khien village (Trung Thuy hamlet, Tuyen Hoa commune) has long been a familiar product, sought after by locals and people from many other areas. More than just a simple local delicacy, Khien village sugarcane syrup is also the culmination of the sweat, hard work, and persistent efforts of generations of people here to preserve the traditional craft.

Keeping the flame of traditional crafts alive…

According to the elders in the village, sugarcane cultivation and molasses making have been associated with Khien village for nearly a century. Through many ups and downs, the villagers have persistently kept the flame of this ancient craft alive as a beautiful cultural tradition.

Regularly, starting around the end of October in the lunar calendar, Khien village enters its peak season for sugarcane syrup production to serve the Tet (Lunar New Year) market. The hardships and difficulties of growing sugarcane and making syrup don't seem to bother the people here; on the contrary, the product is increasingly popular in the market, and prices are stable, making sugarcane growers even more attached to the profession.

After harvesting, sugarcane is washed and pressed to extract the juice before being boiled to make molasses. - Photo: Th.H

Scale up, build brand

The head of the Tuyen Hoa commune's Economic Department, Phan Huy Hoang, shared: "To have a sweet sugarcane syrup harvest, sugarcane growers in Khien village have diligently cultivated and cared for their sugarcane plants throughout the year. The sugarcane endures each season of sun and rain to crystallize its sweet, refreshing flavor. When the sugarcane is mature enough, with the stalks turning a golden yellow, the villagers will cut them and bring them to the syrup pressing facility. After being brought from the fields, the sugarcane is washed, pressed to extract the juice, and the sediment is filtered before cooking. The most important part of the sugarcane syrup cooking process is maintaining a stable fire in the furnace. If the fire is too strong, the stirring will not be even, and the syrup will easily burn; conversely, if the fire is too weak, the syrup thickening process will take a very long time."

Quickly stirring the mixture in a large pan, Mr. Nguyen Khanh Thanh, owner of a sugarcane syrup production facility in Trung Thuy village, shared: "To make delicious sugarcane syrup, you not only need good ingredients but also patience and meticulousness in every step. The syrup thickening process is particularly elaborate, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. In this step, the cook must stir continuously and evenly; constantly using a large sieve to remove the black foam and impurities so that the syrup has a beautiful color and a smooth consistency. When the amount of sugarcane juice in the pan has reduced to about 30-40%, the syrup is removed from the oven, allowed to cool, then settled and filtered again, before being returned to the oven and heated until it becomes thick and has the characteristic amber color of Khien village sugarcane syrup. Typically, the cooking time for one batch of sugarcane syrup is about 16-18 hours."

“My family cultivates 2 sao (approximately 2,000 square meters) of sugarcane, yielding about 350-400 liters of molasses each year. Compared to other crops, the value derived from sugarcane is much higher. With a selling price of 120,000-150,000 VND per liter, sugarcane molasses from Khien village is bought directly by traders; whatever we produce sells out,” added Mr. Tran Dai Nghia from Trung Thuy village.

Making delicious sugarcane syrup requires patience and meticulous attention to detail at every stage - Photo: Th.H

According to Phan Huy Hoang, Head of the Economic Department of Tuyen Hoa commune, the entire commune currently has 7 hectares of sugarcane cultivation area, with the largest concentration in Khien village. Recognizing this as a traditional occupation with high economic efficiency, the commune has encouraged residents to convert some low-yield rice fields to sugarcane cultivation; and has supported the establishment of the Khien Village Sugarcane Syrup Production and Service Cooperative. The commune also continues to encourage residents to participate in expanding the scale of production, concentrating production, improving product quality, and increasing income; striving to have Khien Village sugarcane syrup complete the procedures for OCOP 3-star product recognition by 2026, opening up opportunities to access a wider market.

In conjunction with local efforts, the Center for Rural Research and Development has also supported the development of Khien village's sugarcane molasses through training, improving production techniques, upgrading facilities, and building and promoting the brand. Mr. Tran Van Cong, Director of the Khien Village Sugarcane Molasses Production and Service Cooperative, shared: "To ensure Khien village's sugarcane molasses can stand firm in the market, the cooperative has focused on improving quality, improving design, packaging, and production processes, gradually building and developing the Khien village sugarcane molasses brand in a sustainable direction. Through the support of various units, cooperative members have received training in basic knowledge and skills in introducing and selling products on digital platforms to reach more consumers inside and outside the province, gradually affirming the position of Khien village's sugarcane molasses in the market, contributing to preserving and promoting the value of the traditional craft."

“The sugarcane molasses making profession in Khien village not only provides income for the people but also strengthens the bonds between villagers, fostering unity and mutual support from planting to harvesting. Villagers share sugarcane presses and molasses cooking ovens. When it's a household's turn to harvest, the villagers help out for a day, then move on to another household the next day. Therefore, when the molasses ovens in Khien village are 'burning,' the villagers have the opportunity to gather, watching over the molasses while chatting lively. This strengthens the sense of community and neighborly affection, as warm and sweet as the taste of our hometown sugarcane molasses,” shared Phan Huy Hoang, Head of the Economic Department of Tuyen Hoa Commune.

Master's Degree

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202601/mat-mia-lang-khien-0840c80/