The farming of Dong leaves has long been practiced by local people for centuries and passed down from generation to generation.
With the Lunar New Year holiday (Tet) fast approaching, villagers of Trang Cat in Thanh Oai district, Hanoi, are rushing to harvest Dong (Phrynium placentarium) leaves which are typically used to wrap various food items, including Chung cake (glutinous square rice cake) during Tet.
Trang Cat village is famous for its 600-year history of planting Dong leaves, with the harvesting season often lasting for more than 10 days, starting from the 10th day of the 12th lunar month.
Situated around 30km far from the centre of Hanoi, the village provides Dong leaves to other localities nationwide for the festive season.
The farming of Dong leaves has long been practiced by local people for centuries and passed down from generation to generation.
Thanks to the fertile soil next to the Day river, Trang Cat is the ideal location for planting a variety of fruit trees such as oranges, vegetables, and especially Dong trees.
According to local villagers, Dong leaves are sold not only during Tet, but also all year round.
The leaves can be purchased to wrap traditional cakes, including Banh Day (round cake made of sticky rice flour) and Chung cake (glutinous square rice cake), on special occasions.
Villagers often sell Dong leaves wholesale as local restaurants are big purchasers of the product.
Each Dong leave is worth between VND800 and VND1,000, and the price often rises to between VND1,500 and VND1,700 in the last lunar month ahead of the Lunar New Year.
Dong leaves from Trang Cat village are most popular as they are soft, and have both a catchy colour and odor.
Wrapping Chung cake with these leaves provides an eye-catching green colour to the cake.
Vietnamnet.vn
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