Buzz
The ordinary arrowhead leaves are notorious for their nickname 'mountain death' as consuming just 3 leaves is enough to send a healthy adult on a reunion journey with their ancestors. Also known as 'intestinal cutter' because it's believed that eating arrowhead leaves will sever the intestines leading to death. However, when it comes to the dish garlic sautéed arrowhead leaves from the Thái Trắng Mường So people, it's a non-toxic delight.
Fundamentally, these two types, despite sharing the same name and being climbing plants, are as different as night and day. In terms of appearance, the poisonous arrowhead leaves are long and tapered with a pointed tip, while the non-toxic arrowhead leaves are rounder, shorter, and larger, resembling betel leaves. In terms of taste, the non-toxic arrowhead leaves are highly regarded for their deliciousness and distinct aroma, whereas the poisonous ones are just deadly without any culinary charm. The flowering time of these two types also differs, with the poisonous arrowhead usually blooming between June and October, while the edible arrowhead blooms around the Lunar New Year.
The folklore surrounding this specialty arrowhead leaf is quite intriguing. Many elders of the Thái Trắng Mường So community believe that this plant was discovered long ago by a couple... intending to commit suicide. Legend has it that there was a couple deeply in love, but the young man was not accepted by his lover's family due to his extreme poverty and being an orphan. So, they decided to seek death to unite as a married couple in another life. Holding hands tightly, they crossed the hillside beyond the Mường So valley, picking a handful of edible arrowhead leaves along the way.
But strangely, after consuming those arrowhead leaves, neither of them felt any signs of impending death; instead, they experienced an unusual taste sensation, slightly bitter yet sweet in the throat. And thus, the news of these non-toxic arrowhead leaves began to spread throughout the Thái Trắng community in Mường So.
Until today, it has become a local delicacy, appearing in many daily meals of the villagers and being an indispensable delicacy on special occasions such as festivals and guest invitations. Besides the most famous dish, garlic sautéed arrowhead leaves, the Thái Trắng people also use them to make soups or boil them as a substitute for forest vegetables, or even stir-fry with eggs. Many even take these non-toxic arrowheads home to plant so that whenever they crave, they can simply pick and eat without the hassle of searching, without fear of confusion, and sometimes even sell them at the market.
I must warn you that although the characteristics of these two types of arrowhead leaves, toxic and non-toxic, are quite distinguishable, if you ever happen to visit Mường So, please refrain from picking them to cook. This is not encouraged because even a slight mistake can bring death closer before enjoying this unparalleled delicacy!
As reported by Afamily
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References: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourJuly 6, 2018
