(Baonghean.vn) - Once a wild plant growing in the forest, the mosquito chili pepper (also known as rice chili or mouse chili) in the mountainous district of Con Cuong has now become a distinctive local product, providing income for many people.
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| According to Ms. Luong Thi Hai from Nua village, Yen Khe commune, during this time of year, she and many other villagers take advantage of their free time to go into the forest to harvest wild chili peppers to sell. On average, farmers who harvest wild chili peppers earn a profit of 2-3 million VND per month. Photo: Ba Hau |
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| This specialty chili pepper typically grows wild in fields and high mountains. Although very small, it boasts a rich, fragrant, and intensely spicy flavor, and is especially "super clean." This is why mosquito chili peppers are so popular and sought after. Recognizing this, many households in Con Cuong district have started growing this type of chili pepper to supplement their family income. After each harvest, they only need to mound the soil around the base of the plants and add a little organic fertilizer; no elaborate care is required. Mosquito chili peppers can be intercropped with banana trees, saving space and promoting healthy growth due to the shade provided. (Photo: Ba Hau) |
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| The fruits of a morning's labor for someone picking chili peppers in the forest. Wild chili peppers are much more expensive than other types of chili peppers. Currently, this type of chili pepper is being sold at prices ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 VND/kg. Photo: Bá Hậu |
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| What's special about this type of chili pepper is that it bears fruit frequently, with a harvest every 20 days or so, almost year-round. Picking chili peppers in the forest is also a matter of luck; some days you get 4-5 kg, other days only 2-3 kg. Currently, chili peppers are becoming increasingly scarce because more people are picking them than before. Photo: Bá Hậu |
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| The chili peppers are processed by locals and sold to restaurants and eateries in the area, as well as to some traders from other places who come to buy them. Photo: Bá Hậu |
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| Besides being used directly in cooking, chili peppers are also pickled in fish sauce or salt and garlic. Importantly, if pickled in fish sauce, it must be pure fish sauce. (In the photo: Chili peppers already pickled and sold to customers. Each bottle like this sells for 50,000 VND. Photo: Bá Hậu) |
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| Besides pickled chili peppers, customers can also buy fresh chili peppers to store in the refrigerator and use gradually. Photo: Bá Hậu |
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| With its pungent spiciness, chili peppers not only enhance the flavor of meals but also help people in the western part of Nghe An province combat the cold during winter and improve their vitamin A intake. Photo: Ba Hau |
Ba Hau - Minh Hanh
