Smoked meat for the king of Dam Say

Smoked meat, also known as smoked meat or dried meat, is a specialty of the Northwest region. Smoked meat is usually made from the thigh meat and loin meat of buffalo and pig, which have had their tendons removed and are marinated with spices such as ginger, garlic, doi seeds, chili, and mac khen before being dried.

If you have the opportunity to visit the land rich in historical traditions of Ha Hoa district with its relics and scenic spots, try the smoked meat for the king of Dam Say from Duc Chanh Agricultural Production and Trade Development Cooperative in Zone 6, Tu Hiep Commune, to feel the chewy, sweet, and fatty taste of the meat mixed with the spicy aroma of the spices. These are 2 products that, after 5 years of research and development of their own formula, were certified as 3-star OCOP products of the district last October.

The dried pork and buffalo meat products of Duc Chanh Agricultural Production and Trade Development Cooperative are available in many provinces and cities across the country.

Dried buffalo meat and pork are mostly used during holidays, Tet, or when distinguished guests come to visit. As someone who is passionate about Northwestern cuisine and has worked in the tourism industry for many years, Mr. Nguyen Trung Duc recognized the potential for consumption of this product and was determined to bring delicious highland dishes to Phu Tho. Duc Chanh Agricultural Production and Trade Development Cooperative was established in 2022 with Mr. Nguyen Trung Duc as director with the desire to bring delicious mountainous dishes to the majority of people in the lowlands as well as develop agricultural products and food to improve the quality of life of himself and the members of the cooperative.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Duc shared: “To make delicious, quality dried meat, it is necessary to choose healthy, wild-bred buffaloes and pigs. When cutting the meat, choose pieces of rump meat with long fibers so that when drying, they will not be wasted. In addition, the meat must have a clear origin and ensure food hygiene and safety. Therefore, the cooperative has contracted with a licensed slaughterhouse operating in Gia Dien commune to import fresh buffalo and pork meat for processing. After being cut into large pieces, 3-4 cm thick, the meat will be marinated with spices for about 5-6 hours, then hung on a wood stove to simmer for about 2 days before being put into a vacuum sealer to preserve the meat longer, meeting the increasing demand of customers.

Dam Say smoked meat products are packaged in 500 grams, labeled, and vacuum-sealed for easy preservation.

Each product is carefully researched and carefully researched by the owner of the production facility, ensuring quality and delicious flavor. Each strip of meat absorbs the heat of the fire, mixes with the smoke from the kitchen, and dries, and the spices also penetrate the meat fibers over time. The meat gradually shrinks, has a natural brown color, and a particularly delicious and attractive flavor, making Dam Say King’s smoked meat an OCOP product that makes a difference from other dishes in Ha Hoa’s homeland. In the first 6 months of 2024 alone, the cooperative has supplied nearly 900 kg of buffalo and pork smoked meat to the markets of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen... Not only creating a source of profit of hundreds of millions of VND/year, the cooperative also creates regular jobs for 5 local workers with an income of 5-6 million VND/month.

After being marinated with spices, the meat will be dried on a charcoal stove for about 2 days and nights to gradually dry.

Comrade Vu Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Tu Hiep Commune People’s Committee, said, "Currently, there are many reputable units producing similar products with a variety of designs and packaging, creating an extremely competitive market. To gain a foothold in the market and gain a name and brand, the Dam Say royal smoked meat product, after being certified to meet OCOP standards, must not only continue to improve its quality but also build a strong sales system and develop the product brand. From there, it will have enough capacity to develop, bringing the brand further and further, stronger".

Along with products such as Hien Luong cassava cake, Van Lang green pumpkin tea, Dai Pham green-skinned grapefruit, and buffalo meat, smoked pork of Duc Chanh Agricultural Production and Trade Development Cooperative is not only a unique specialty to treat diners but also becomes a meaningful, unique gift for relatives and friends far away when returning to the beloved and hospitable Ha Hoa homeland.

Son Lam