The delicious salt of the Jrai weaver ant

Ant salt is a special chili sauce in the culinary culture of the Jrai tribe in Gia Lai. Today, this spice has become a “typical” of the province of Gia Lai.

Although ant salt is gradually becoming familiar, few people know that cultivating this salt is a painstaking, complicated and meticulous process, drawn from the experiences of many generations of the Jrai people. .

Ant salt is a special food in the culinary culture of the Jrai suku people

As the name suggests, to get ant salt, of course there must be ants. The type of ant chosen by the Jrai people to make salt is the yellow beetle which often nests in tree branches in the forest.

Everyone has their own way of catching ants. However, how to catch them safely and effectively is important. According to Mr. Rcom Dam Mo Ai (lives in Doan Ket village, Ayun Pa town, Gia Lai province), in order to catch ants effectively, one must spend all day searching and finding ant nests. The next day should come very early, while still foggy, proceed to catch ants.

“Arrested at dawn because at this time there is still dew, the ants can’t get the acid out of their bodies. After being caught and put in a sack, the ants shoot acid and destroy each other, at this time they are not afraid of being stung by ants. again. – Master Mo Ai revealed.

Rangrang ants often nest in tree branches in the forest

The best time to catch ants is October to December, when it is still foggy

The ant nests hanging from the trees were immediately cut with a knife and then put in a sack. Then shake vigorously so that the ants fall into the bag and then gradually remove the branches and leaves, leaving only the ants inside.

Catching ants must end before 9am as there is sunshine and dew at this time, so capturing just one nest will cause the ant to “alarm” to spread out nearby nests and protect the nest. At this time, the ants leaving the nest will be reduced and the bite will be very painful, ineffective.

The ant nest is quickly removed from the tree trunk

Put it in a bag and wash it immediately

With Mo Ai, he only caught large ant nests weighing 1kg or so, small nests would be left for them to develop. “I strongly oppose the fact that some people catch ants with spray, chalk or use a hot pan and shake the ants for fear of being bitten. This method of catching ants is unsafe for food and depletes the source of the ants. natural” – Mr. Mo Ai explained.

According to Mo Ai, his fishing method helps the ants maintain their natural acidity. Those who are still alive will rebuild the colony, new ant nests, the source of ants will not run out.

The ants used to make salt are best caught in October-December every year

Despite having a lot of experience, but only catching ants by hand, Mo Ai’s copper bracelet is also “burning”. The acid from the ants turns the ring from golden yellow to dark gray.

Based on their father’s experience, many Jrai people believe that the best time to catch ants to make salt is from October to December. At this time, the ants have just passed the rainy season with a lot of food, so they are very clean and fat. After the above time, the ants will age, turn from golden yellow to black, grow wings, if used to pound salt, taste like cockroaches.

After cleaning, the ants will dry up before being ground to make salt

After being brought home, the ants must be washed with water, dried on woven bamboo until completely dry. Furthermore, the dirt such as ant wings, cobwebs, and leaves must be cleaned again, then pounded with spices such as salt, chili, and a little monosodium glutamate.

In some villages, before pounding the salt, people roast it until the ants are cooked. However, many people believe that this method causes the ants to reduce their natural sour taste.

Nowadays, ant salt has become a special sauce not only in Jrai society but also sold all over the country

In the Central Highlands, ant weed salt is often used as a dip with roast beef, braised pork or served with hot rice… Any dish dipped in ant salt when eaten will also have a salty, spicy and sour taste. .

at Blogtuan.info – Source: Eva.vn – Read the original article here