When
January comes marking the end of the rainy season, the Ma River transforms into
a gentle stream of transparent water.
It
is also the time that the moss, a specialty of the Thai ethnic minority, starts
to appear all over the place.
The
moss there is called Tao Bien, which looks as if it is made of silk. Scattered
on the underwater rocks, the lively green moss sway along with the current of
the river.
To
find the best moss, people must venture to places where the water is pure and
deep.
The
collected moss is then cleaned, grinded and mixed with fish sauce, salt,
garlic, chilly, and fresh herbs.
When
cooking the moss, Mac Khen (a local sauce) is added to the mixture before being
wrapped in banana leaves. The wrapped moss is then grilled above hot coal until
a mouth-watering smell permeates.
When
it is done, the dish is only ready to be served when it is accompanied by
locally produced wine made of rice and grilled moss, the wine completes the
dish and intensifies its sweet flavor.
By Nhan Dan