Stone moss - A gift from the crystal-clear stream

BHG - Stone moss is a rare type of moss that grows on the rocky ledges at the upper reaches of streams. It is a special gift from the clear waters of streams that has been closely associated with the lives of the Tay ethnic people in the communes of Xuan Giang and Bang Lang (Quang Bình District) for generations.

In 2024, the grilled stone moss dish of the Tay people in Quang Binh won the first prize in the competition for representative dishes from various provinces and cities at the first Ha Giang International Culture, Tourism, and Culinary Festival.

Stone moss is a familiar delicacy for the Tay households in Quang Binh. With its unique flavour, this dish has transcended the family meal to become a source of pride for Quang Binh, attracting the attention of food enthusiasts who visit Ha Giang.

After the rainy season comes the harvest season for stone moss. The ideal time to pick moss is early in the morning when the water is still clear and the stream is not crowded with people.

Hoang Thi Mien and Dang Thi La, residents of Khun Village, Bang Lang Commune, share that stone moss is a dish connected to the childhood of many generations. “Since the time of our ancestors, many dishes have been made from stone moss. In difficult times, having stone moss to eat was a real joy,” Mien recalls fondly.

The moss that grows on the rocks in the upper reaches of the stream is not only clean but also retains its softness and natural, fragrant taste. According to the Tay people, stone moss is believed to help with blood circulation, detoxifying the body, stabilising blood pressure, and strengthening the immune system.

Cleaning the moss is the most important and time-consuming step. During harvest, the moss is carefully selected for freshness and quality while removing dry leaves and tree bark. The fast-flowing stream helps to wash away any dirt.

After being harvested from the stream, the moss is washed several times in clean water, then pounded in a mortar to remove any dirt clinging to the roots. Afterward, the moss is washed again until it is completely clean. As it is currently the moss harvest season, more and more people are visiting the village to enjoy stone moss. The moss is harvested daily to ensure its freshness.

Stone moss is used as an ingredient in many delicious dishes, but the standout dish is grilled stone moss, which was honoured at the First Ha Giang International Culture, Tourism, and Culinary Festival. The moss is torn into pieces, mixed with lemongrass, cilantro, Vietnamese coriander, chives, and ‘doi’ (magnolia seeds), the seasoned with spices and wrapped in banana leaves to be grilled over an open flame.

When the fire is good, after about 20 minutes, the grilled stone moss is ready to be enjoyed. When opened, the unique fragrance of the moss blends with the spices, tantalising the taste buds of all diners. In addition to grilled moss, the people of Quang Binh have also created other dishes such as moss stew with duck meat, moss grilled in bamboo tubes, moss steamed, stir-fried moss, moss soup, and moss salad. Each dish offers its own unique, simple, yet irresistible flavour.

Khanh Linh