In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), Tien Ky banana market (Tien Phuoc district) becomes bustling. People eagerly prepare for Tet by buying bunches of bananas for offerings, banana blossoms for eating, and banana leaves for wrapping cakes. The period from around the 24th to the 27th (lunar calendar) is the peak time to "hunt" for banana leaves.
Having sold banana leaves at Tien Ky banana market for over ten years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Le (An Son ward, Tam Ky city) shared: “Every year at this time, the banana market is bustling. Sellers from all over Tien Phuoc district, such as Tien Hiep, Tien Son, Tien Lanh, Tien Canh, Tien Chau, and Tra My… flock to the banana market to supply leaves. Wholesale and retail customers from Tam Ky city and Da Nang city also come to this banana market to buy leaves. But this year there are fewer customers, and sales are much slower than in previous years.”
Providing 1-2 quintals of banana leaves daily for wrapping cakes, Ms. Le said that people are making and eating fewer cakes due to economic difficulties. The number of sellers has also decreased somewhat because the income from banana leaves is not high or stable, and sales are mainly limited to the last few days of the year. Ms. Le plans to lower the price.
Similarly, Ms. Tran Thi No (Hoa Huong ward, Tam Ky city), who has been selling banana leaves at Tien Ky banana market for nearly 30 years, also lamented: "It looks bustling, but this year the banana leaf market is quite unstable. Although the price of banana leaves hasn't changed, there are significantly fewer orders. This year's weather is unfavorable, so many banana leaves have also spoiled."
According to banana leaf vendors, the price ranges from 12,000 to 20,000 VND/kg (depending on customer requirements). However, during the banana growing season, prolonged periods of intense sunshine cause the leaves to dry out severely. Towards the end of the year, continuous cold rain makes it impossible to salvage the banana leaves. Therefore, the quantity and quality of banana leaves used for wrapping cakes and making spring rolls are reduced.
[ VIDEO ] - The banana leaf market during Tet (Vietnamese New Year)
Visiting the vast banana plantation of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Kieu (Tien Canh commune), the condition of the banana leaves is clearly visible on each leaf. “In the beginning, many banana leaves dried up and burned, and at the end of the year, continuous rain and wind caused the leaves to tear and damage. The income is less, but it's better than nothing. Besides the income from banana leaves, banana blossoms also provide a stable income, enough money for Tet shopping,” Ms. Kieu said.
Meanwhile, in the banana plantations scattered throughout the green forest of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hien (Tien Lanh commune), the harvest season has also arrived. Four members of Mrs. Hien's family work together to pick leaves, cut each banana leaf, and then gather them to take to the town market to sell.
“Taking advantage of the time when people are busy wrapping cakes and spring rolls, I pick leaves to sell. Every year, my family earns nearly ten million dong from banana leaves. But this year, it will probably only be a few million dong because many leaves are damaged. I hope next year the weather will be favorable, and that the heavens will bring good fortune so that not only the banana leaves but also the fruit trees in our yard will sprout and grow well,” said Mrs. Hien.
Many Tet seasons have come and gone, but nothing can replace the distinctive aroma of banana leaves intertwined with freshly cooked sticky rice, mung beans, and fatty pork… then simmering for over ten hours over a crackling fire, creating a rich and heartfelt Tet flavor. Banana leaves may not be rare or luxurious, but they represent home, a source of income for many households at the end of the year. Now, another banana leaf season begins…
Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/tien-phuoc-mua-la-chuoi-3148275.html
Comment (0)