According to a ranking of 20 healthiest fruits compiled by a reputable British food website, plums are in 16th place. This fruit is characteristic of the northern mountainous provinces and is typically in season from May to June each year.

Plums come in a wide variety of types, such as the "mận hậu," "mận rọc hạt," "mận Tam Hoa," "mận Tả Van," "mận tím," and "mận cơm"... Each variety has its own unique flavor and price. Among these, the Pu Nhi plum stands out, grown in the Pu Nhi hills of Son La province.

Pu Nhi is situated in a mountainous area with yellow, rocky soil rich in minerals, but dry year-round. Combined with the hot and humid climate characteristic of the Northwest region, these seemingly unfavorable conditions create a unique quality for the plums. Pu Nhi plums are not overly large, but have thin skins, firm texture, a crisp texture, and are easy to remove from the pit. When ripe, the plums have an attractive deep red color, covered with a beautiful, natural white powdery coating.

Locals say that the best Pu Nhi plums are usually harvested from old, mature trees. The older the tree, the slower its growth, and the smaller the fruit, but the sweeter it is. When unripe, the plums have a mild sourness, without any bitterness or harshness. When fully ripe, the plums turn a deep red, are crunchy, intensely sweet, and have a distinct, lingering aroma on the tongue.

In appearance, Pu Nhi plums are quite similar to Moc Chau plums; however, while Moc Chau plums usually have bright red skin, Pu Nhi plums have a deep red color and noticeably thinner skin. When cut in half, the flesh inside is bright red, juicy, and the seed separates easily, making it very convenient to eat. It is this combination of attractive appearance and delicious flavor that makes Pu Nhi plums always popular in the market when in season.

Not only delicious, Pu Nhi plums are also rare. According to plum growers on Pu Nhi mountain, this type of plum only thrives in the specific high-altitude areas and is not as common as the Hau or Tam Hoa plums. Annual production is limited, and careful selection is necessary to obtain high-quality batches. Therefore, Pu Nhi plums are often sought after very early in the season, with many customers even having to place orders in advance to get them.

Pu Nhi plum trees are perennial plants that rely entirely on natural conditions. Local people still maintain traditional farming methods: no chemical fertilizers, no forced fruiting, allowing the trees to grow, flower, and bear fruit naturally, thanks to nature. Therefore, the plums grow slowly and bear fruit sparsely, but in return, they boast superior quality and retain the original flavor of the mountains and forests.

The harvest season for Pu Nhi plums is very short, lasting only about 20 days, and not every year yields a good harvest. This is why this specialty is even harder to find compared to other common plum varieties. The price of Pu Nhi plums at the orchard usually ranges from 80,000 to 90,000 VND/kg. When transported to Hanoi and some other provinces and cities, the price can go up to 100,000 to 150,000 VND/kg, but they are still always in high demand.

Phu Nguyen