Tay Ninh, a landlocked province, is famous for its shrimp salt in a very special way. This is also an indispensable item during Tet.
Tay Ninh, a landlocked province, is famous for its shrimp salt in a very special way. This is also an indispensable item during Tet.
Pride of Tay Ninh people
Arriving in Tay Ninh under the scorching sun of a border province, we were surprised that a land without sea and shrimp could produce a delicious, salty shrimp salt dish that is unmatched anywhere. That is not only the secret but also the pride of the people of Tay Ninh.
Bustling shrimp salt making industry in Tay Ninh on the eve of Tet. Photo: Tran Trung.
According to locals, as the name suggests, Tay Ninh shrimp salt is a combination of shrimp and salt. Although it sounds simple, to create delicious and quality shrimp salt grains, the workers here have to go through many meticulous and elaborate processing stages. In addition, nature has favored Tay Ninh with long hot weather, sometimes up to more than 10 hours/day, which is a rare advantage for the shrimp salt making profession.
Visiting Thang Loi shrimp salt production facility, one of the typical salt production units in Tay Ninh province, we were able to "witness" the elaborate production process and hear the story of brand building, bringing Tay Ninh specialties to the sea.
Ms. Truong Thi Vu Vi (left cover) introduces the salt making process. Photo: Tran Trung.
According to Ms. Truong Thi Vu Vi, owner of Thang Loi shrimp salt facility, Tay Ninh currently has many shrimp salt production facilities with diverse types. To gain a foothold in the market, the facility always puts product quality and food hygiene and safety first.
To create a delicious, rich salt flavor, the shrimp and chili must be fresh, undamaged, and the salt must not contain impurities. Next, the shrimp, chili and salt are ground, mixed in a certain ratio, then put in a pan and roasted evenly. This process is very important because it determines the color and characteristic flavor of the shrimp salt.
“In the past, workers had to watch the fire and roast evenly to create a brick-red color and a special aroma. Now, the facility has combined manual methods and applied modern technology such as machinery and equipment and industrial production processes to create products that are both beautiful and uniform, while ensuring food hygiene and safety without losing traditional value and flavor, meeting the increasing needs of consumers,” Ms. Truong Thi Vu Vi shared.
Currently, some stages of salt making are supported by machines to help improve product quality. Photo: Tran Trung.
Despite the support of modern equipment, to avoid losing the traditional flavor and identity, the shrimp salt drying process still depends on the weather. The stronger the sun, the happier the salt makers. To make the most of the sunlight, the facility has invested in a closed-house system.
Although the investment cost is quite high, the greenhouse protects the salt from adverse weather conditions such as erratic rain and wind, while maximizing the absorption of heat, helping the salt dry faster and more evenly without losing color or quality. In addition, the greenhouse also prevents insects from entering, ensuring food hygiene and safety.
Delicious taste of Tet
Ms. Truong Thi Vu Vi further revealed that, thanks to the methodical production combining traditional essence and modern technology, in 2023, the facility's shrimp salt products were honored to be recognized as 3-star OCOP products. Currently, the facility is continuing to upgrade to 4 stars. Being recognized as an OCOP product is one of the effective "passports" to bring the facility's agricultural products to the market.
“To have a foothold in the market, the production facility must be reputable, dedicated, and have full documentation proving the origin and food hygiene and safety. Achieving OCOP certification is not easy. We must have all the documents and certifications on food safety and production processes from salt, chili, garlic, shrimp...” said Ms. Truong Thi Vu Vi.
Ms. Vy proudly stands next to the shrimp salt product produced by her facility. Photo: Tran Trung.
From a small-scale production workshop, Thang Loi is now one of the large-scale production facilities in Tay Ninh province. On average, each month, the facility supplies the market with more than 400kg of various types of shrimp salt. The facility's products are not only available on the shelves of clean food stores and supermarkets, but are also exported to the US and South Korea.
According to Ms. Vi, Thang Loi shrimp salt is not only delicious but also rich in nutritional value and is an indispensable dipping sauce during Tet. Currently, the Lunar New Year At Ty 2025 is approaching, based on market developments, the facility has a specific production plan, balancing appropriate output to meet Tet market demand.
“In addition to shrimp chili salt, the facility also has vegetarian chili salt, pepper salt, lemongrass salt... to serve a variety of customers. With superior quality and special processing recipes, we hope that with the slogan 'Thuong Loi Salt Without Thinking,' consumers will enjoy delicious products during family meals and family reunions during Tet,” Ms. Vi shared.
Tay Ninh shrimp salt has a bright red color, a strong aroma and a rich spicy taste, making diners unable to forget after just one bite. Photo: Tran Trung.
According to Ms. Vo Thi Thu Cuc, Head of the Department of Rural Development of Tay Ninh province, Tay Ninh shrimp salt has a bright red color, a strong aroma and a rich spicy taste, making diners unable to forget after just one bite. In particular, Tay Ninh shrimp salt is produced using advanced technology, is clean and ensures food hygiene and safety, meeting international standards such as ISO, HACCP...
"Currently, Tay Ninh shrimp salt has become a popular brand domestically and exported to a number of international markets, especially the US, a demanding market. This is a proud success, proving that a locality without sea, shrimp or garlic, can still successfully process standard products and export them to the world," Ms. Cuc said excitedly.
Source: https://nongsanviet.nongnghiep.vn/tinh-hoa-muoi-tom-tay-ninh-d417541.html
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