Buzz
When visiting Dak Lak this season, we not only feel the sun and dry wind of the dry season but also have the opportunity to savor a unique delicacy - the 'sâu muồng' larvae, a delicacy found nowhere else but in the rich land of the Central Highlands.
Explore Dak Lak and Delight in the 'Sâu Muồng' Larvae - a Distinctive Dish of the Ede People
The sâu muồng larvae are insects that feed on muồng leaves, but few know that their larvae are also used as a distinctive dish by the Central Highlands people in general and Dak Lak in particular. This special dish is no longer unfamiliar to the locals here. When the first rains fall and the muồng trees begin to sprout, it's also the time when the sâu muồng larvae develop.
The butterflies start to move and search for places to lay their eggs on muồng leaves. Then, those larvae quickly transform into sâu muồng insects. After eating the muồng leaves, they gradually transform into larvae clinging under muồng leaves or any available leaves. Visiting Dak Lak from early March to May along the highways or on coffee and pepper plantations, it's not difficult to come across muồng trees with leaves eaten away and covered with thousands of larvae in various colors. This has become a characteristic feature of this place.
For those who are faint-hearted, witnessing the scene where every area is covered with larvae clinging to the branches of trees will be terrifying. On the contrary, for farmers in the Central Highlands, they are no strangers to this scene, because besides eating away muồng leaves, this type of larvae does not cause any harm, even brings economic value. Therefore, when the time comes, the people here go out to catch larvae to process into various dishes.
Ama H’ Uyên, residing in Buon Cuor Dang A (Cuor Dang, Cu M'Gar, Dak Lak), revealed: “For many years, ethnic minorities in our locality have used both kén and sâu muồng to prepare dishes. When people hear about sâu, they may feel disgusted, but sâu muồng is actually harmless, and their larvae are nutritious like silkworm larvae.”
Not just a delicious and nutritious dish, sâu muồng larvae also bring a considerable income to many households in various localities of Dak Lak province by catching larvae to sell to retailers at markets, and then they are supplied to eateries and restaurants.
The most remarkable thing is that sâu muồng larvae have become a familiar dish known from villages to urban areas. Sister Huong, a retailer at Tan An market, Buon Ma Thuot city, said: “For nearly 3 years, at the beginning of each rainy season, I usually buy sâu muồng larvae from Ede people in villages and bring them here with prices ranging from 15 to 30 thousand dong per kilogram, and sometimes up to 50 thousand dong. Then, I supply them to budget eateries in the city or to customers who place orders.”
After a short life cycle from butterfly to larva to sâu to larva, they transform into beautiful butterflies flying across the Central Highlands sky.
By Hai Dang/nguoitieudung.com
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Explore More: Travel Handbook by Mytour
MytourApril 24, 2017
