Autumn scent of new green rice

Hanoians shake off the hardships of the flooded days, return to normal life and begin to look forward to a distinctive scent: the scent of new green rice.

Grandmothers and mothers still call green rice “the gift of young rice”, a gift that is both rustic and elegant. In each green grain of green rice, still full of milk, there is the image of the vast rice fields, the golden sunshine of August, and the sparkling dew drops on the grassy banks of the dike.

Green rice flakes are not for those in a hurry, because only when eaten slowly and leisurely can we fully appreciate the sweetness, softness, and essence of young rice grains. Taking a small pinch and chewing gently, we can feel the whole autumn melting on the tip of our tongue: the light sweetness, the faint smell of colostrum, the faint scent of lotus leaves permeating each grain of green rice. The essence of the earth, the sky, the wind, the sun, the cool countryside… all converge in that small green grain of green rice flakes.

CN4 nsbp.jpg — Sticky and fragrant Lang Vong green rice grains

When it comes to green rice, people often mention three familiar names: green rice from Vong village, green rice from Me Tri and green rice from Tu Le. All are made from young sticky rice grains that are still full of milk, but each land, each hand, each processing method brings a unique flavor, like three different pieces that together create a delicate picture of Vietnamese cuisine . Green rice from Vong village is considered "number one" for snacking. The green rice grains are as thin as tamarind leaves, soft and fragrant, slightly yellow in color, wrapped in old lotus leaves, just need to open slightly to feel the light aroma of green rice spreading, making people feel excited even before tasting.

Pick a small pinch to eat with the golden banana, the stickiness, the sweetness, the fragrance blend together, like gathering all the colors of autumn into one elegant delicious piece. Older green rice, mothers in the past often cooked sticky rice with green beans, sticky lotus seeds and grated coconut, creating a sweet, fragrant sticky rice dish, both luxurious and simple. Or pound it to make golden, fragrant green rice sausage, to be included in the autumn tray.

Autumn comes, the old streets seem to slow down. In the midst of today's noisy streets, suddenly encountering a small green rice stall stopped by the roadside is enough to calm your heart. The scent of green rice wafts by, simple yet poignant, bringing children of the 70s and 80s back to the peaceful old days with a tray of ripe yellow bananas, a plump grapefruit, a red persimmon and an indispensable green green rice wrapped in lotus leaves. Just take a small pinch, chew slowly, and the clear old days come flooding back.

Perhaps that is why every time the cool breeze comes, the children born in the city still eagerly wait for the scent of new green rice. Not only to enjoy a pure autumn gift, but also to once again touch the memories, memories of a peaceful, gentle Hanoi. If Hanoi's autumn is a piece of music, the scent of green rice is the clearest note, quiet but deeply penetrating, so that anyone who has tasted it once will carry with them a sweet, lingering nostalgia.

MAI AN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/mua-thu-huong-com-moi-post818793.html