The honeysuckle tree also has other names such as broadleaf fig, Indian giant fig tree, elephant ear tree, mango fruit… This tree is widely grown in northern mountain forests such as Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, etc. Lang Son… and related to those who had childhoods associated with mountains and forests.
The fruit is similar to figs, but much larger in size
The honeysuckle tree is easily recognizable among other shade trees in the mountain forest. It stands out with large leaves like lotus leaves. Young stripe leaves are also used by many in the North to make filter cakes or steamed ant egg cakes. The fruit is similar to figs, in the same family as figs, but much larger than figs. The fruit grows in groups on old branches, at the base or on separate branches without leaves.
The fruit is large, ripe red-purple, with many fruit the size of a fist. The bigger the fruit, the more colorful the inside of the fruit. The outer layer is white, the next layer is bright red, the inner layer is yellow with many tassels that look like flowers. In the intestine there is a layer of wavy bile, brownish yellow like jelly, and has a milky white plastic layer.
When the fruit is ripe, the taste is sweet and sweet, bite to hear the sweetness of the fruit that gradually spreads on the tip of the tongue, followed by the cool sweetness of the honey layer inside the fruit with an unforgettable sweetness, with the strong aroma of mountain cardamom. . For many people of the 8X, 9X generation… this fruit is a priceless childhood snack given by nature, delicious and refreshing in summer.
Honeysuckle is easy to distinguish, the leaves are as big as lotus leaves
According to local residents, the trees begin to flower and bear fruit in mid-July in the lunar calendar. 3-4 months later is when the fruit begins to ripen. Depends on the condition weather that the mature honeysuckle season can last up to several months. Just go to the forest, pick one afternoon and you will get a basket of honey that is ripe, round and fresh. Bringing it back must be preserved carefully, otherwise the fruit will be scratched, grated, and less delicious.
In recent years, at the end of October and the beginning of November of the lunar calendar, the online market is bustling with buyers and sellers of honey fruit. According to the introduction of Nguyen Thi Quynh at Pagoda Lang (Dong Da, Hanoi), in the wild season, almost every week, he buys 2-3 kg from the apartment market to eat.
Quynh himself when he first saw this “giant fig” was also very surprised. Ask a question, people say these are forest figs, some other places call them melons. “Seeing people praise it for being sweet and fragrant, I ordered it to try it. Who knew the fruit was similar to figs, but the taste was completely different from figs. The delicacy couldn’t be faulted,” said Quynh.
However, Quynh also said that although the average price is only 60,000-80,000 VND/kg, in Hanoi it is very difficult to find and order food because it is a new and unusual item. If you want to eat at home, you have to order about 2 days in advance.
Honeymoon is a specialty in the city
Nguyen Huong (from Phu Tho, now living in Hanoi) has been trying to sell honeysuckle since 2018, when he saw many office workers looking to buy this fruit for a snack. “Initially I was selling in the apartment market, many felt it was strange, so I bought and tried it, then every year in the season, customers often ask. Sweet dear, the taste is strange, many women like it. This forest fruit is guaranteed to be clean and fresh, so no matter how much the item is, I have to order it from people in the countryside to deliver it,” said Huong.
Not only a new fruit, but also a raw material for many delicious dishes. Some places make jam from honeysuckle fruit to preserve the fruit for a long time. In Phu Tho, there is also a honeysuckle cake made by mashing the fruit mixed with flour and then steaming it. Honey trail can also be eaten with wild vegetables, or mixed with salads… Enjoy a piece of honey, feel its plasticity, fleshy flesh in your mouth is to see the whole childhood sky rushing back.
Honeysuckle fruit contains a lot of vitamins A, B and minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, iron and magnesium … soluble fiber found in figs, which helps improve the digestive system, and helps strengthen bones.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: Eva.vn – Read the original article here
