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The Essential Dish for the Duanwu Festival: Rice Wine and Rice Pudding

The Summer Solstice Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival or the Dragon Boat Festival, is an annual celebration held on the 5th of May in the lunar calendar. It is a day filled with traditional delicacies, with sticky rice dumplings being the most prominent feature of this festive occasion.

Administrator

14 July, 2024

Rice wine is a traditional dish in Vietnam, especially during the Duanwu Festival, also known as Double Fifth Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. This unique delicacy is believed to possess cultural and health benefits, making it an indispensable part of this festive occasion.

1 Why is Rice Wine a Must-Have Dish During the Duanwu Festival?

According to traditional beliefs, our digestive system is home to various parasites, worms, and other harmful organisms. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, these parasites are believed to be more active and present in greater numbers. The consumption of rice wine is thought to be an effective way to eliminate these unwanted guests from our bodies.

Rice wine is a concoction of spicy, hot, sweet, sour, and bitter flavors, intentionally crafted to kill off parasites, worms, and other harmful organisms in the body. Additionally, it is believed that consuming rice wine, especially on an empty stomach, will intoxicate and kill the parasites.

From a scientific perspective, the outer layer of glutinous rice, known for its nutritional richness, is packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, particularly vitamin B. Consuming rice wine, both the liquid and the solids, offers a range of health benefits, including boosting immunity and preventing cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure.

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2 Regional Variations of Rice Wine in Vietnam

While rice wine is a common dish during the Duanwu Festival across Vietnam, each region has its unique twist on this delicacy.

In Northern Vietnam, rice wine is typically made from black glutinous rice, a popular ingredient in the Northwest region. This variety of rice is used to create a distinctively flavored rice wine with a unique recipe, characteristic of the North.

In Central Vietnam, rice wine is often pressed into blocks
While in Southern Vietnam, it is shaped into balls.
Regardless of the regional variations in preparation, the primary purpose of consuming rice wine during the Duanwu Festival remains the same – to eliminate parasites and prevent diseases.

3 Can Rice Wine Make You Drunk Like Regular Alcoholic Beverages?

It is essential to understand that rice wine, whether in its liquid or solid form, undergoes a fermentation process that typically takes around 3 days.

The glutinous rice used for making rice wine is usually black glutinous rice or “nguyen cai hoa vang” (a specific variety of glutinous rice), both of which retain their outer husks and bran layers. This rice is particularly rich in nutrients, including , , trace elements, and (especially ).

The fermentation process involves the use of a specially prepared starter culture, often consisting of various herbs with spicy and hot characteristics. Essentially, this starter culture is a mixture of microorganisms capable of converting starch into sugar and then fermenting the sugary solution into alcohol.

Due to its low alcohol content, rice wine is unlikely to induce the same level of intoxication typically associated with regular alcoholic beverages.

The Duanwu Festival has long been an integral part of Vietnamese culture, symbolizing not only the prevention of diseases but also celebrating the richness of Vietnamese cuisine and fostering family gatherings.

It is important to understand that the fermentation process for rice wine, whether in liquid or solid form, typically takes around 3 days.

4 Is Eating Rice Wine Good for Your Health?

The rice used in making rice wine is inherently rich in and nutrients, and these beneficial properties are preserved during the fermentation process. Therefore, consuming rice wine is considered a natural way to supplement your body’s calcium needs, making it a healthy choice.

However, to maximize its health benefits, rice wine should be consumed in moderation and accompanied by a healthy lifestyle. Some of the potential benefits of rice wine include:

Preventing type 2 diabetes
Reducing bad cholesterol levels
Improving digestion
Enhancing skin health
Aiding weight loss

Consuming rice wine in moderation and as part of a healthy lifestyle can offer various health benefits.

You can easily prepare black glutinous rice wine at home. Check out our recipe for black glutinous rice wine!

Reference: for indoor and outdoor offerings, and more…)

We hope that through this article, you have gained a better understanding of why rice wine is an indispensable part of the Duanwu Festival. Be sure to prepare this delicacy on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month to enjoy with your family.

Frequently asked questions

The Duanwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is a traditional holiday celebrated in China and other parts of East Asia. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar and commemorates the life and legacy of Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet and patriot from the Chu state during the Warring States period.

The must-have dishes for the Duanwu Festival are rice wine and rice pudding. Rice wine is a traditional Chinese alcoholic beverage made from fermented glutinous rice, and it is believed to have the function of eliminating diseases and evil. Rice pudding, also known as ‘zongzi’, is made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. It is a symbol of the festival and considered a tribute to Qu Yuan.

Rice wine is crafted by fermenting glutinous rice with a starter culture, typically a mixture of yeast and bacteria. The process can take weeks or even months, and the resulting beverage is often strong and aromatic. Rice wine is believed to have medicinal properties, aiding digestion and boosting blood circulation. It is also seen as a symbol of happiness and longevity.

There are numerous variations of zongzi, but the most common fillings include red bean paste, mung bean paste, shredded pork, salted duck egg yolk, and chestnuts. The leaves used for wrapping also add a unique aroma and flavor to the zongzi, making them a delicious and anticipated treat during the Duanwu Festival.

Rice wine is typically served warm or at room temperature, and it can be enjoyed as an aperitif or paired with zongzi. Zongzi are usually steamed or boiled and then unwrapped before eating. They can be served as a savory or sweet dish, depending on the filling, and are often enjoyed with family and friends during the festival celebrations.