The land of U Minh Ha (Ca Mau) is famous for its wild honey. To enjoy “hot” sweet and fragrant honey from “super big” beehives, the “eating” bee experience is an interesting journey while being both excited and “heart-pounding”.
In U Minh Ha (Ca Mau province), where the four basins are melaleuca, wild honey is considered one of the famous specialties in this southernmost land of the country.
In order to experience “eating” bees, you must have “local” instructions to ensure you do not get lost and avoid unfortunate incidents, such as being stung by a bee.
Once back to U Minh Ha, we went to Muoi Ngot community tourist destination in Tran Van Thoi district (Ca Mau province). Meeting with Mr. Pham Duy Khanh (tourist attraction manager) is one of those experienced in “eating” bees.
Mr. Khanh said, the profession of guarding bees for honey takes place all year round. Mr. Khanh generalized, to guard the bee, the truss tree is mainly “genuine” Melaleuca tree in U Minh Ha land. The place to guard the raft can be in the dense reed or the dense Melaleuca forest.
After choosing a suitable spot, people will usually hang the truss tree in it with one side low, the other high. After that, wait a while, the bees begin to “gather” to build their nests and give honey.
According to Mr. Khanh, about half a month on the contract, you may have honey. In the dry season, bees get from 2 liters to 10 liters of honey, while in the rainy season more than 1 liter, depending on the size of the nest is large or small.
“A place can be guarded about 2-3 times, depending on the weather, ensuring there is always honey”, Mr. Khanh shared.
In U Minh Ha area, going deep into the forest to “eat” bees can use the engine cover (a type of boat, small motorboat) to travel on small canals, on the two banks of overgrown trees.According to the owner of the forest, Pham Duy Khanh, there are many residents here making a shrine to worship God of the Forest. This place to burn incense “ask” for good things when going to the forest such as safe travel, harvest many products … A female tourist comes to burn incense before going to the forest to “eat” bees and experience the ecology of the forest. When going to “eat” bees, one of the solutions to avoid bee stings is to cover the head with a net. This can partly protect the safe face. Upon reaching the hive, the “eater” of the bees use a straw mulch (or something else) to burn it so that the smoke is so much to dispel the thousands of bees that are clinging to the hive. At this point, according to experienced people, if the bees cling to people, it is best not to kill or brush the bee but let the bee cling naturally, it will be safer for you. After a few minutes using smoke and fire can dispel almost all the bees, the hive “reveals” in a “naked” way, easy to get honey later.The hives are taken from the garret point out, with 2 people each carrying one head gently so that the nest does not fall off the raft. In the guarded area, many bees are still flying with their nests, so it is best not to remove the net at this time.While moving from the forest into the house, this “super big” hive still needs to be “secured”, so 1 or 2 people can take turns putting on their shoulders for sure.According to the forest owner, the remaining bees clinging to the hive are usually young bees, so now there is little ability to sting and sting. Therefore, you can use your hands for bees to cling to “mess” on it, as if nothing happened.When coming home, bringing the hive from the shell to the shore also requires 2 people to carry it on their shoulders like this, walk evenly, to ensure the hive is not shaken. Coming here, it is considered the end of the journey to “eat” the bees with excitement but also very nervous.Pieces of honeycomb where the most honey is used is cut out with a knife …… will see inside is the iridescent yellow of wild honey. Enjoy honey “right and always” taken “hot” from the bee guard point with a sweet, fragrant flavor … will definitely make visitors remember forever.
Previously, the Vietnamese record organization awarded the establishment of the top 100 specialties for Vietnamese gifts for U Minh wild honey.
U Minh forest honey is obtained from the U Minh Ha region, which is famous for its four basins: Melaleuca. In the honey-collecting season, the Melaleuca flowers bloom white in the whole forest, thereby creating sweet, delicious honey flavors … famous near and far. Follow Dân trí
