PALM TREE

Châu Đốc, Vietnam, 2014 - Leica M7, Summilux 35, Kodak Tri-X * This agile young guy climbing a tall sugar palm tree like a monkey impressed me. Toddy palm tree "Thốt nốt" is a variety of palm trees in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Guinea… The name of this unique specialty of Mekong Delta in Vietnam originates from Tnaot in Khmer. It takes from 12 to 16 years for sugar palm trees to grow to full height. These robust trees can live more than 100 years and reach a height of 30 meters (98 ft). They can only be harvested after 20 years, but can produce juice for about 55 years. Rustic dishes made from this sugar tree are delicious: jelly seeds, juice drink, jaggery, sweet che dessert, banh goi, banh bo "Thot not" sponge cakes.