The sweet taste of Vinh Tuy pineapple

Visiting Vinh Tuy commune in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the sweet aroma of pineapple jam spreads throughout the villages on the breeze. With over 3,500 hectares of pineapple plantations, the pineapple-growing households here have become quite prosperous, turning their local pineapples into an OCOP (One Commune One Product) specialty.

Delicious pineapple and peanut candy. Photo: CAM TU

The integrated pineapple-shrimp-rice farming models, as well as specialized pineapple cultivation on acidic soil, have been effectively implemented in Vinh Tuy commune, maximizing the potential of land, water resources, and the local climate. The lives of the people have improved significantly, with the multidimensional poverty rate decreasing to 3.15%; and average per capita income reaching over 73 million VND/year. According to Vo Chi Cong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Tuy commune, pineapple is the main crop and a famous agricultural product of the locality; its OCOP product has been certified with a 3-star rating by the Provincial People's Committee. The total pineapple production in the commune is estimated at 24,908 tons/year, with an average yield of 9.27 tons/ha.

For the people of Vinh Tuy, pineapple is not only a crop that brings high economic value and provides a livelihood that helps improve lives, but it has also become a symbol of pride and the fruits of the community's persistent labor. The pineapples here are bright yellow, large and uniform in size, with a sweet and refreshing taste and a unique aroma rarely found elsewhere. Visiting Vinh Tuy at any time of year, tourists are easily captivated by the peaceful beauty of the vast pineapple fields. When ripe, the golden color of the fruit blends with the green of the leaves, creating a prosperous rural landscape. Besides selling fresh fruit and seedlings, the locals skillfully process and "breathe life" into their local produce to enhance its economic value with many attractive products such as: dried pineapple, pineapple-filled apricot blossom cakes, pineapple candy, pineapple jam, pineapple juice, and pineapple coloring.

According to representatives of Thien Trung Cooperative, pineapple cultivation not only enriches the land but also brings a prosperous spring to the local people. To date, the cooperative's pineapple jam, dried pineapple, pineapple candy, and pineapple coloring products have been certified as OCOP 3-star standard, widely available on e-commerce platforms, and are loved by customers.

As Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, activity at the pineapple cake and jam processing facilities and households in the commune becomes busier. Everyone is rushing to complete their products in time for delivery to customers, serving the needs of the Tet holiday. Freshly baked batches of dried pineapple are fragrant and golden; each piece of pineapple is chewy, simmered with sugar, and has a delicate blend of sweet and sour flavors, making it an authentic local gift. What sets Vinh Tuy's pineapple-filled apricot blossom-shaped cakes apart is the natural, delicious flavor of fresh pineapple blended with the nutty taste of the flour, creating a refined treat to enjoy with a hot cup of tea on the first day of the year.

Having been involved in the confectionery and jam-making business for many years, Ms. Trang Thi Cam, residing in Phuoc Hiep hamlet, understands the value of her hometown's agricultural products. Dedicated artisans like Ms. Cam not only sell food but also infuse their love and pride for their homeland into each product. “Vinh Tuy pineapples are sweet and refreshing, so jams, cakes, and candies all have a unique flavor. Every Tet holiday, my business has to operate at full capacity to meet the demand for pineapple-filled apricot blossom cakes, pineapple candy, and dried pineapple for customers,” Ms. Cam shared.

The lively laughter and chatter of workers peeling pineapples, the sounds of vehicles transporting goods, create a bustling and joyful atmosphere. The Lunar New Year for the people here is closely associated with the sweet taste of pineapples – a New Year filled with abundance and hope. Diversifying pineapple products not only enhances the economic value of this key crop but also contributes to preserving the beauty of local culinary culture. The flavor of Vinh Tuy pineapples travels far and wide, carrying with it the kindness and simplicity of the people of this land every spring.

CAM TU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/vi-ngot-khom-vinh-tuy-a475489.html