Bamboo Rose - A Promise with Autumn

Every Autumn, among the many fruits that contribute to the colors and flavors of the markets, there is a name that is mentioned as an unforgettable specialty gift: bamboo-skinned persimmon. Not as bright red as pickled persimmons, nor as sweet as red persimmons, bamboo-skinned persimmons are quietly green and plump, and when ripe, they exude an irresistible appeal. People call it the “noble” among the Autumn fruits because of its rarity and sweet taste that few fruits can match.

The whole Thai Nguyen province currently has about 500 bamboo rose trees over 10 years old.

The "noble" gift

Entering the rose garden of Mr. Vu Van Duong, in Xuan Hoa hamlet, La Hien commune, we realized that the scene at this time was like a gentle autumn painting. The rose trees, which were more than 20 years old, were spreading their green shade, their leaves had turned yellow in the light mist. On the branches, the persimmons were hanging, shiny green, with smooth skin, and a couple of them had a yellowish tint, signaling that they were nearing ripeness.

The pungent smell of leaves mixed with the scent of damp soil after the rain makes the space peaceful, evoking a feeling of both familiarity and preciousness. Mr. Duong excitedly introduced: Currently, rose gardens with up to 7 trees like my house are very rare, most households have 1-2 trees in their gardens.

Looking at the persimmons hanging on the branches, we couldn’t help but be curious about the special name of bamboo skin persimmon. The people who grow this fruit explain that the persimmons are called that because they have a hard, green shell as sturdy as a bamboo tree trunk. Unlike the soaked persimmons, red persimmons or Moc Chau persimmons commonly found on the market, bamboo skin persimmons are big and firm, 5 to 6 fruits are enough for one kilo, holding them feels sturdy.

Local people say that the bamboo-skin rose variety has taken root in Thai Nguyen for decades, mostly in the Dong Hy and La Hien areas. However, there was a time when they were looked down upon and sold for only a few thousand dong per kilogram, so many households cut them down to replace them with other varieties that bring in higher income. Currently, it is estimated that the whole province has only about 500 rose trees over 10 years old, concentrated in the communes of Dong Hy, La Hien, Nam Hoa... This scarcity makes the bamboo-skin rose a rare commodity.

With high economic value, bamboo rose tree is being researched and propagated by many people.

The story of bamboo-skin persimmons is like a life of ups and downs. In the past 5-7 years, the once-abandoned fruit has suddenly become a “noble” specialty. The selling price ranges from 120,000 to 170,000 VND/kg, 3 to 4 times higher than normal persimmons. Many gourmets have to order a month in advance, even asking acquaintances to buy them.

Ms. Pham Thi Tham, in Hien Binh hamlet, La Hien commune, shared: There was a year when I only harvested more than 100 kg of fruit, but customers kept calling. Many times I had to refuse because I didn't have enough to sell.

Ms. Trieu Thi Ut, a small trader who has been involved in purchasing and distributing bamboo-skin roses for many years, said: Every rose season, traders like us have to place orders early. Sometimes we go to all the communes but still cannot collect enough. Customers in Hanoi , Hai Phong, and even in the Central region call to order and have them shipped the same day. The price is high, but buyers still accept it because this is a rare product, and eating it once is a memorable experience.

Bamboo skin persimmons are not only rare in quantity, but also special in the way they are enjoyed. The fruit is picked when it is ripe and has a hard shell. Gourmets often place the stem down on a plate for a few days, waiting for the shell to become clear and the fruit to soften before cutting it in half and putting it in the refrigerator. At that time, the persimmon is clear and golden like honey. When scooped up with a spoon, it is cool, sweet, and a little crunchy. That feeling makes diners feel like they are eating a piece of natural jelly, both delicate and irresistibly delicious.

The first time she tasted this fruit, Ms. Tran Phuong Lan, a customer in Hanoi, exclaimed: It's sweet but not too harsh, cool but fragrant, and after eating it, I keep craving for it. Now I understand why many people are willing to spend a whole month ordering it.

Promise of new rose seasons

The season of bamboo persimmons is very short, just over a month, from after the custard apple harvest to before the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival. That moment is like a one-time appointment between a person and the fruit. When the season is over, no matter how regretful, we have to wait until the following autumn.

Although it is only harvested once a year, thanks to its high value, the bamboo rose is still meticulously cared for year-round by local people. Ms. Pham Thi Chi, Mr. Duong's wife, said: Since the beginning of the year, I have used fermented corn and soybeans as fertilizer. Thanks to that, the soil is loose, the plants are healthy, and the fruit retains its natural sweetness. Because I take care of it organically, I do not use any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Although doing it this way is more difficult, I feel secure because customers feel safe when eating it.

Most bamboo rose apples are picked and sold on the same day.

With the attraction of flavor and rarity, bamboo-skin roses are being replicated by households again. Particularly in Viet Cuong hamlet, Dong Hy commune, since 2021, the University of Agriculture and Forestry (Thai Nguyen University) has implemented a project to plant over 2,000 bamboo-skin roses with an area of ​​over 3 hectares. Currently, this area is growing and developing well, expected to be harvested in the next 3-5 years.

In the cool autumn breeze, looking at the shiny green persimmons gradually changing color, we seem to perceive a message, there are values ​​that must go through ups and downs to be properly recognized. Bamboo skin persimmon - the "precious fruit" of Thai Nguyen land, is a living proof of that. And every autumn, this fruit becomes its own mark, like a symbol reminding us of the sweet and unforgettable autumn of Thai Nguyen.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202509/hong-da-tre-loi-hen-cung-mua-thu-3d21833/