The tongue long plant is considered a nutritious food and a specialty in the Central region of our country. It can be processed into many dishes. Let’s learn about the tongue long plant in the following article.
1 What is the tongue long plant?
The tongue long plant, also known as the dragonfruit plant, is a plant species distributed in tropical areas, especially in South Africa. In our country, this plant species is widely distributed in the Central region, particularly in the provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, and Phu Yen. Tongue long belongs to the succulent cactus type, with numerous soft and sharp thorns and a watery stem due to its ability to adapt to harsh conditions.
Tongue long plant
Tongue long is a bisexual plant that can grow up to a height of 5m when mature. It has a branching stem with oval-shaped branches resembling rabbit ears, hence the nickname “rabbit ear cactus.” The tongue long plant produces white, red, and yellow flowers that bloom from mid-May. Fruit production typically starts in August.
Tongue long flower is white, red, and yellow
The young leaves of the tongue long plant are green with a banana shoot color. They are used in soup preparations, providing a sour and refreshing taste. When cooked, the leaves are slightly soft and chewy. An interesting fact about the plant is that the tongue long harvested in the morning has a more pronounced sour taste than those harvested later in the day. Besides its delightful aroma, tongue long also contains a high amount of phenolic compounds, which aid in fighting cancer cells and support the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
2 The price of tongue long plant
Tongue long leaves are available for purchase at markets or online shopping platforms such as Shopee and Lazada, with prices ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 VND/kg.
Tongue long plant price ranges from 40,000 – 50,000 VND
3 What delicious dishes can be made from tongue long plant?
Tongue long plant is used in various dishes, including boiling, stir-frying, making sour soup, salads, and tongue long jam. Tongue long soup has a light, refreshing, and chewy taste that is sure to delight your taste buds.
Delicious tongue long soup
In addition, tongue long can also be used to make candied tongue long. Although it may seem simple and rustic, the taste is incredibly unique and delicious. Tongue long is not only used in delicious Vietnamese dishes but is also incorporated into more than 350 dishes worldwide, according to statistics from Daily Mail. It is truly a nutritious food for culinary enthusiasts.
This concludes our introduction to tongue long – a vegetable with a unique name and a renowned specialty in the Central region. Thank you for following along, and we hope you have many exciting culinary experiences.
