Preserving the traditional craft of making shrimp paste in Binh An commune

Coming to Binh An commune, Kien Luong district, tourists not only get to visit many famous landscapes and landscapes such as Hang Pagoda, Hon Phu Tu, Mo So mountain... but also have the opportunity to enjoy some local specialties, including Crocodile Cave shrimp paste.

Ms. Chau Thi My Linh, owner of Ba Ut shrimp paste facility, checks the quality of fermented shrimp paste.

Crocodile Cave shrimp paste has won over many demanding customers with its salty, rich taste and distinctive aroma. The difference that creates the brand for traditional shrimp paste lies not only in the processing secret but also in the source of raw materials.

Compared to many other places, the shrimp paste here is made from fresh shrimp, caught by fishermen around the coastal waters of Kien Luong. The shrimp are small and uniform in size, have thin shells, sweet and clean meat, and have few impurities such as sand and gravel. Immediately after being caught, the shrimp are processed and salted during the day, and absolutely not left overnight to maintain freshness and sweetness. It is the careful selection of raw materials that creates the rich, aromatic flavor of the shrimp paste, completely different from similar products on the market.

The shrimp paste village in Ba Nui hamlet, Binh An commune has nearly 30 households making shrimp paste. Comrade Danh Hung - Party cell secretary, head of Ba Nui hamlet, Binh An commune said: "The shrimp paste making profession has been going on for over 100 years. At first, only a few households were involved, but gradually more and more households followed the profession. The shrimp paste making profession has become the main profession, providing a stable source of income for many households, creating jobs for hundreds of local workers, including many elderly women and people who do not have the conditions to work far from home."

Ms. Chau Thi Muoi, residing in Ba Nui hamlet, Binh An commune, has been working as a shrimp pusher for nearly 40 years, which has helped her raise her two children to be successful in their studies. Ms. Muoi said: “Although shrimp pushing is hard and depends on the weather and tides, it brings in a good income. If the fishing season is good, you can collect 300-400kg of shrimp. If you sell it to fish sauce factories, you can earn 3-4 million VND/day. After deducting all expenses, it is enough to cover living expenses and send your children to school.”

Customers learn about shrimp paste products at Ba Ut shrimp paste facility, Binh An commune (Kien Luong).

Following in her grandmother and mother's footsteps, Mrs. Chau Thi My Linh, owner of Ba Ut shrimp paste facility, Ba Nui hamlet, Binh An commune (Kien Luong) has 40 years of experience in processing shrimp paste. Mrs. Linh said: "Since I was a child, my grandmother and mother showed me how to mix and marinate the fish sauce to make it taste good, not too salty or too bland, and how to ferment the fish sauce to make it have a beautiful color, fragrant and attractive. At first, the fish sauce was only made for home use, to give as gifts and to sell at small markets in the commune and district. Recently, the family's shrimp paste has been known and sought after by many visitors when they come to visit and travel . The visitors praised the deliciousness of the product, so they supported me more and more. I boldly invested in grinders, mixers, expanded production, and hired nearly 10 more workers to meet the demand. It is estimated that each year, the facility produces 7-8 tons of finished fish sauce."

The fish sauce making profession in Binh An commune was recognized as a traditional profession by the Provincial People's Committee in 2017. To preserve and maintain the traditional profession from fading away, Kien Luong district has implemented many policies to support production facilities to improve quality, improve processes, ensure hygiene, food safety and build brands.

The district also facilitates establishments to register trademarks and prepare documents for recognition of OCOP products. To date, two shrimp paste products have met the 3-star OCOP standard and have been selected as local specialty products to promote at events and conferences inside and outside the district, helping producers access and expand their markets.

Article and photos: THUY TRANG

Source: https://www.baokiengiang.vn/kinh-te/giu-gin-nghe-truyen-thong-lam-mam-ruoc-o-xa-binh-an-26741.html