Hometown taste to the world

According to Mr. Huynh Anh Khoa, representative of Huynh Khoa Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Factory, his family's fish sauce making profession has lasted for more than 100 years, passed down through 3 generations. Initially, it was just a few small fish barrels of his grandparents, then it was expanded by his parents, forming the private enterprise Huynh Khoa, with 50 barrels. By 2016, Mr. Khoa took over the factory, expanded it to 210 barrels; reserved 30% of the output for bottling, building a more professional Huynh Khoa Phu Quoc traditional fish sauce brand.

Mr. Huynh Anh Khoa (second from right) and Huynh Khoa fish sauce products during a trade promotion in Rach Gia ward. Photo: PHAM HIEU

“Up to now, we still use boi loi wooden barrels to ferment fresh anchovies with white salt. The batches of fresh anchovies caught offshore are carefully selected by workers before being put into the fermentation tanks. In 12 - 18 months, we produce the famous traditional fish sauce products of the pearl island. To ensure quality, the factory applies international standards: HACCP, ISO, HALAL, strictly controlling the production process from input materials to finished products,” said Mr. Khoa.

At the same time, Mr. Khoa also focused on building brand image such as designing labels, packaging, online communication, participating in fairs and exhibitions to increase recognition. The results were that in 2020, Huynh Khoa fish sauce achieved 4-star OCOP standards with 4 products. Not stopping there, the National OCOP Product Evaluation Council announced that Huynh Khoa fish sauce had 3 products achieving 5-star OCOP standards including: Phu Quoc Huynh Khoa fish sauce 40 degrees, 43 degrees and 45 degrees of protein.

This is an important milestone affirming the quality, opening up greater opportunities for Huynh Khoa traditional fish sauce to reach more consumers. “In the coming time, we will promote communication, digital marketing, and e-commerce to reach consumers. At the same time, we will expand the market, bring products to the distribution system, domestic retail chains and export,” said Mr. Khoa.

In addition, Huynh Khoa fish sauce continues to improve product quality, improve packaging and preservation technology according to international standards; focus on developing more diverse products such as: high-protein fish sauce, spiced fish sauce, specialty gifts... In addition, building a story about the fish sauce making profession and Huynh Khoa's journey to create a difference, linking the traditional fish sauce making profession with tourism through activities of visiting barrel houses, introducing the fish sauce production process...

Ms. Nguyen Thu Huong, a tourist from Can Tho City , said: “My family often uses Huynh Khoa fish sauce because relatives in Phu Quoc sent it to us. Everyone in my family loves this fish sauce, especially the high-protein fish sauce. Every drop of fish sauce is delicious and rich. I think, if the person making traditional Phu Quoc fish sauce did not have boundless love for the pearl island and the profession, it would be difficult to create such a wonderful product.”

PHAM HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/vi-que-ra-the-gioi-a461847.html