The taste of home in red rice cake

(Baohatinh.vn) - From simple brown rice grains, people in Son Tien and Tu My communes (Ha Tinh province) have created the red rice cake. This is a rustic treat that retains the authentic taste of the countryside.

Goi Market (Son Tien commune) is home to many stalls selling red rice cakes.

For nearly 30 years, Ms. Le Thi Thuy in Son Tien commune has regularly woken up early in the morning to make red rice cakes to sell at Goi market. For her, this is not only a means of livelihood but also a family tradition passed down from her mother-in-law, a craft that has been passed down through generations in her family. Even though life is constantly changing and many new dishes have emerged, red rice cakes still retain their unique appeal to local people as well as those from Ha Tinh living far from home.

According to Ms. Thuy, the greatest joy for a baker comes not only from selling a lot of goods but also from the affection of those who enjoy them. During holidays, Tet (Lunar New Year), or summer , when people working far from home return to their hometowns, her stall becomes busier than usual. Many people stop by Goi Market as soon as they get off the bus to buy red rice cakes to enjoy or to take home as gifts for relatives. This makes her appreciate the value of this traditional cake even more and gives her more motivation to preserve the traditional craft.

Ms. Le Thi Thuy (from Son Tien commune) has been making red rice cakes for nearly 30 years.

Made from readily available red brown rice, red rice cakes have long been a familiar treat in the daily lives of the people of Son Tien and Tu My. The main ingredients include red brown rice and white rice mixed in the right proportion. Then, the bakers perform steps such as soaking the rice, grinding the flour, steaming the cakes, and pouring them into molds.

It may sound simple, but making delicious cakes requires experience, meticulousness, and patience. From grinding the flour to a fine consistency, maintaining the right heat, to continuously stirring the batter until it's smooth, thick, and lump-free, every step determines the quality of the finished product. While not requiring elaborate ingredients, the baker's skill creates the characteristic reddish-brown color and the unique chewy, fragrant, and sweet flavor of this cake.

The main ingredient for making red rice cake is brown rice.

For generations, this traditional cake has not only been passed down as a distinctive culinary feature but is also closely associated with rural markets, especially Goi Market – where red rice cakes are most commonly sold. Over the years, Goi Market has become a meeting place for those who have left their hometown whenever they return.

Many people, even after decades of establishing themselves in foreign lands, still maintain the habit of visiting the market to buy some red rice cakes to enjoy or take home as gifts. Because, in the chewy, fragrant, and sweet taste of this traditional cake, there is not only the flavor of the rice from their hometown but also countless childhood memories, family affection, and a longing for home that is always present in the hearts of those who live far from home.

Red rice cakes are often eaten with mung bean cakes.

For over 30 years, Ms. Le Thanh Thuy, a native of Son Tien commune, has left her hometown to start a new life in Dong Nai province, but the taste of red rice cake remains as vivid as ever in her memory. Every time she returns home, she makes time to visit Goi market to buy and enjoy it. For her, red rice cake is not only a favorite dish but also a part of her homeland's soul that has stayed with her throughout her life away from home. "Every time I come back home, I look for red rice cake. What I like most is its fragrant and subtly sweet taste. It's a unique flavor that can't be found anywhere else. Every time I eat it, I remember my childhood and the days I went to the local market with my mother," Ms. Thuy shared.

Ms. Le Thanh Thuy (wearing a blue shirt) always looks for red rice cakes to buy whenever she returns to her hometown.

Currently, in Son Tien and Tu My communes, nearly 10 households still maintain the tradition of making red rice cakes. These households take turns selling their cakes at Goi Market and Choi Market (Tu My commune). At each market day, after deducting expenses, each household earns over 200,000 VND. Although the income isn't high, many families still preserve the craft of making red rice cakes as a way to retain the flavors of their homeland and a beautiful traditional culture.

Ms. Phan Thi Cuc, an official from the Economic Department of Son Tien Commune People's Committee, said: “Red rice cake is one of the traditional dishes that has been closely associated with the lives of the local people for a long time. Not only is it a simple treat made from readily available ingredients, but this cake also contains cultural values, reflecting the lifestyle and the diligence and skill of the people. It's encouraging that even as life becomes more developed, red rice cake is still loved by many, especially those who live and work in different regions. This affection for this local delicacy motivates families to continue preserving the craft and passing it on to future generations.”

Red rice cakes are popular among many people.

Perhaps it is precisely this inherent simplicity that has allowed red rice cake to transcend the value of an ordinary dish and become a part of the memories of the local people. Following the village markets and the footsteps of those who have left their homeland, the flavor of red rice cake continues to spread and be preserved through the years. And each time one enjoys it, they feel transported back to the peaceful years of their hometown, where there are old markets, the warmth of community, and the flavors of childhood still vivid in their memories.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/vi-que-trong-banh-duc-do-post312507.html