Food & Receipts

Unveiling the Mystery of the Forest Fruit: A Delicacy from the Highlands

The giu fruit is an exotic delicacy native to the lush highlands of Tay Nguyen. Embark on a journey of discovery as we unveil the secrets of this rare forest fruit, a true treasure of the mountainous regions.

Administrator

14 July, 2024

The months of May and June in the Central Highlands and some Southeast Asian forests mark the season for a unique wild fruit called “Trai Gui.” Join us as we explore this exotic and delicious fruit native to the mountainous regions through the following article!

1What is Trai Gui?

Trai Gui, scientifically known as Willughbeia cochinchinensis, is a wild, woody vine fruit. Its size is comparable to a large mango with a thin, yellow peel, and its flesh is segmented like a jackfruit. This fruit has a distinctive aroma and a taste that combines a hint of sourness with a predominant sweetness.

Trai Gui is a wild, woody vine fruit.

When unripe, Trai Gui has a green peel and contains sap, resulting in a bitter and astringent taste, making it inedible. It is natively found in some provinces of the Southeast region and the southern part of the Central Highlands, including the mountains of Binh Thuan and Tay Ninh provinces, and even in Cambodia.

It’s not just a snack but also a medicinal fruit.

Harvesting Trai Gui involves trekking along mountain paths and climbing tall trees that can reach heights of 30 to 50 meters to pluck the fruit in clusters. This activity requires agility and expertise to avoid falling from such heights.

2The Price of Trai Gui

Trai Gui is considered a valuable fruit for the local economy in the highland villages, particularly around Mount Be in Ham Tan District, Binh Thuan Province. During the peak season in May and June, the Rai ethnic minority living near Mount Be venture into the mountains to gather Trai Gui and sell them to traders from various regions.

Unripe Trai Gui has a green peel and a bitter taste.

The fruit fetches a price of VND 40,000–50,000 per kilogram when sold to traders, but during the peak season, the price can drop to VND 15,000–20,000 per kilogram or even as low as VND 10,000 per kilogram. Online marketplaces offer Trai Gui at a higher price of approximately VND 210,000 per kilogram.

Trai Gui has a short shelf life of only 4–5 days after harvesting.

Trai Gui has a short shelf life of only 4–5 days after harvesting, and since it is not widely harvested, it is a rare treat. This scarcity contributes to the higher prices seen on online marketplaces compared to the prices offered by local traders.

We hope you found this article informative and intriguing, shedding light on the fascinating Trai Gui fruit and its significance in the local communities of Vietnam’s mountainous regions.