Mizuna Taiwanese-style cuisine, tasting a flavor of trust
My Farmer Classmate
I have a classmate who is a farmer. After graduating from university, he joined the ranks of professional farmers growing vegetables alongside his parents.
Recently he shared some of what he had learned from growing crops with me, and said he would send me some trial-planted "mizuna" (kyona) to try. From that day on, I kept looking forward to the day it would arrive.
A few days later, a big box was placed beside my seat. I immediately set down the lunch I had just bought and excitedly opened the box.
It was the smell of damp soil, and translucent white and emerald green. The roots of each package of mizuna still had soil clinging to them, and it felt as if they were still lively and jumping!
In that instant, I felt that the distance between me and the land was very close.
A Taste of Trust
Although it is simple, and I do not know whether it can be called cooking, the whole process is very grounding. What I mean is that, when facing ingredients and knowing their growing environment, process, and the relationship between the farmer and the land and crops, this is a building of trust and a taste of trust.
"Food sovereignty" means that, besides producers being able to choose what they want to grow and how to grow it, people must also take back their autonomy over food, over consumption, and over choice. They have the right to know where what they eat comes from, and the right to choose what to eat. A two-way language of communication or transmission of information should be established between consumers and producers. When the distance between each other draws closer and a connection is created, as the distance between consumers and producers, and between the dining table and food, is narrowed, one can better appreciate one's own relationship with the land, the environment, and the entire pattern of consumption and capital.
Want to try a different flavor? Mizuna is now on sale
If you want to try a different texture, or want to add a different fresh flavor to your hot pot, mizuna is now on sale. For purchasing information, please contact:
Contact: Liao Guofu (Da Chong, Plant Doctor)
Phone: 0928-189372
Please search Facebook for "Wild Vegetable Plan" to learn more.
"Wild Vegetable Plan" is a platform for several young farmers in the Xiluo and Erlun areas of Yunlin to share and exchange growing techniques and ideas. Please keep following it!