|caption2=Bunch of taqua bananas after cutting from the tree
}}
'''Taqua banana'''<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" /> ("''chuối tá quạ''" in [[Vietnamese language]]) is a cultivated [[cooking banana]] [[cultivar]], originating from [[Vietnam]]. This is a [[local food]] in [[Trà Vinh province]]. This cooking banana cultivar has many different characteristics, such as size and weight, which are quite larger than other banana cultivars. According to the belief of formerly Tra Vinh people, planting taqua banana would bring bad luck. Taqua banana produce few fruits, so in the past, Tra Vinh people only planted a few trees in the garden to get edible fruits or [[worship]], but rarely planted it for trade. However, today, this fruit has become famous, breeding, cultivated and commonly sold on the market.
== History and common name ==
Taqua banana is originated from [[Cầu Kè district]], [[Trà Vinh province]]. According to formerly beliefs, Cau Ke people spread word of mouth that planting this banana cultivar would bring bad luck. Especially at night, when the banana tree blooms and twists its body, it would make a very scary noise.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Nguyễn |first=Hương |date=2022-04-08 |title=Loại quả khổng lồ từng bị cho là điềm xui, giờ cứ trồng là hốt bạc |trans-title=The giant fruit was once considered bad luck, but now planting it is a way to make money |url=https://danviet.vn/loai-qua-khong-lo-tung-bi-cho-la-diem-xui-gio-cu-trong-la-hot-bac-5020228495916197.htm |access-date=2024-03-11 |work=Dân Việt newspaper |language=vi}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |author=Nguyễn |first=Hương |date=2020-08-05 |title=Chiêm ngưỡng loại chuối khổng lồ, mỗi quả nặng gần 1kg ở VN |trans-title=Contemplating the giant bananas, each weighs nearly 1 kg in Vietnam |url=https://danviet.vn/chiem-nguong-loai-chuoi-khong-lo-moi-qua-nang-gan-1kg-o-vn-502020589581728.htm |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Dân Việt newspaper |language=vi}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web |author=Hữu Tưởng |date=2012-04-16 |title=Về miền Tây thưởng thức chuối tá quạ luộc |trans-title=Coming to the South-western region, enjoy boiled taqua bananas |url=https://vnexpress.net/ve-mien-tay-thuong-thuc-chuoi-ta-qua-luoc-2307541.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=[[VnExpress]] |language=vi}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite news |last=Hương Lài |date=2015-07-12 |title=Giống chuối khổng lồ ở Trà Vinh |trans-title=Giant banana cultivar in Tra Vinh |url=https://congan.com.vn/doi-song/giong-chuoi-khong-lo-o-tra-vinh_4031.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |work=Hồ Chí Minh City Police newspaper |language=vi}}</ref> The next morning, the bunch of young bananas had finished blooming. When people woke up and discovered this scene, they were "tá hỏa" (meaning panicky), meaning a state of panic and shock. According to the hypothesis, the name "''taqua banana''" ("chuối tá quạ" in [[Vietnamese language]]) was given according to the euphemistic pronunciation of the word "tá hỏa" due to the above conception or possibly because this banana fruit is so large that it makes people startled.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite web |author=Hồng Châu - Cửu Long |date=2016-04-13 |title=Chuối 'khủng' 20.000 đồng một trái |trans-title='Huge' bananas cost 20,000 VND per fruit |url=https://vnexpress.net/chuoi-khung-20-000-dong-mot-trai-3386312.html |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=[[VnExpress]] |language=vi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Hồng Châu |date=2016-04-16 |title=Chuối 'lạ' giá cao vẫn cháy hàng |trans-title=High-priced 'strange' bananas are still sold out |url=https://vnexpress.net/chuo-i-la-gia-cao-van-chay-hang-3387105.html |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=[[VnExpress]] |language=vi}}</ref>
== Description ==
Taqua banana has a shape that is almost no different from a regular banana tree. The tree-trunk is small and weak, easily broken, so when the banana blooms, they must be used as a support.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8">{{cite web |author=Lưu |first=Minh |date=2015-12-16 |title=Chuối khổng lồ nặng 1kg, cả nhà ăn không hết quả |trans-title=The giant banana weighed 1kg, the whole family couldn't eat it all |url=https://vietnamnet.vn/chuoi-khong-lo-nang-1kg-ca-nha-an-khong-het-qua-278140.html |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=[[VietNamNet]] |language=vi}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=NH |date=2020-08-22 |title=Giống chuối siêu to khổng lồ đặc biệt tại Việt Nam, mỗi quả nặng gần 1kg giá chỉ 9.000 đồng/quả |trans-title=Super giant banana cultivar especially in Vietnam, each fruit weighs nearly 1kg and costs only 9,000 VND/fruit |url=https://danviet.vn/giong-chuoi-sieu-to-khong-lo-dac-biet-tai-viet-nam-moi-qua-nang-gan-1kg-gia-chi-9000-dong-qua-20200820224011526.htm |access-date=2024-03-11 |work=Dân Việt newspaper |language=vi}}</ref> It is grown for about 8-9 months before bearing fruit.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6">{{cite journal |last=Đinh Thị |first=Thanh Tâm |last2=Phan |first2=Quốc Nam |last3=Nguyễn |first3=Ngọc Trai |last4=Võ |first4=Văn An |last5=Nguyễn |first5=Minh Phương |date=2017 |title=Xây dựng quy trình nhân giống in vitro và thuần dưỡng giống chuối tá quạ (Musa sp.) tại Trà Vinh |trans-title=In vitro breeding and nursing taqua banana in Tra Vinh province |url=https://scholardocs.dlu.edu.vn/ViewPDFOnline/document.php?loc=0&doc=87617613602557844645868220142951754894 |journal=Science Journal of Trà Vinh University |language=vi, en |volume=26 |pages=102-108 |issn=1859-4816 |via=Scholardocs}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite journal |last=Đinh Thị |first=Thanh Tâm |date=2023 |title=Xây dựng quy trình nhân giống in vitro và thuần dưỡng hai giống chuối tá quạ và chuối cau (musa sp.) tại Trà Vinh |trans-title=In vitro breeding and nursing for two cultivar, taqua banana and cau banana (Musa sp.), in Trà Vinh province |url=https://khcn.tvu.edu.vn/files/project/bao_cao_tong_ket_file/470/ND%20finish.pdf |journal=Science Journal of Trà Vinh University |language=vi, en |pages=1-46 |via=khcn.tvu.edu.vn}}</ref> A bunch of taqua bananas usually grows about 2-3 hands, yielding about more than ten banana fruits.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite web |author=Cẩm Tú |date=2023-10-30 |title=KẾT QUẢ HOẠT ĐỘNG CÂU LẠC BỘ KHỞI NGHIỆP HUYỆN CẦU KÈ NĂM 2023 |trans-title=Result of operations of the Start-up club in Cau Ke district in 2023 |url=https://cauke.tinhdoantravinh.vn/tin-tuc/ket-qua-hoat-dong-cau-lac-bo-khoi-nghiep-huyen-cau-ke-nam-2023/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=[[Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union|HCYU]] of Cầu Kè District |publisher=[[Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union|HCYU]] of Trà Vinh Province |language=vi}}</ref> This banana cultivar has a special feature: the tree only bears fruit directly, not buds like regular bananas.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":7">{{cite web |date=2015-07-13 |title=Giống chuối khi trổ buồng vặn mình phát tiếng động đáng sợ |trans-title=The banana cultivar, when blooming and twisting its body, makes scary noise |url=https://danviet.vn/giong-chuoi-khi-tro-buong-van-minh-phat-tieng-dong-dang-so-7777611767.htm |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Dân Việt newspaper |language=vi}}</ref>
Taqua bananas are famous due to this fruit looks much larger than the fruit of regular bananas, as large as a human wrist.<ref name=":0" /> Each taqua banana fruit can grown 35 - 45 cm in long (some fruits reach 50 cm) and have average weight of about 300 - 450 g/fruit (some fruits reach more than 1 kg).<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":9">{{cite web |author=Tạ |first=Minh Tuấn |date=2011-04-25 |title=Trồng chuối tá quạ thương phẩm |trans-title=Planting commercial taqua bananas |url=https://thesaigontimes.vn/trong-chuoi-ta-qua-thuong-pham/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=[[The Saigon Times]] |language=vi}}</ref> The heaviest record is 1,3 kg.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":1" />
Taqua banana fruits contain the same nutritional content as potatoes, rich in calories but high in vitamins (A, C and B-6) and essential minerals (magnesium and potassium). Eating taqua banana fruits is quite good for people at risk of [[stroke]], [[osteoporosis]] and [[kidney disease]]. It also helps reduce [[constipation]], [[diverticulitis]] and [[digestive diseases]].<ref name=":0" />
== Culinary uses ==
Different from regular banana varieties, taqua banana have to be processed and cooked, and are usually not eaten directly because this fruit is very mushy and has a very bland taste. Taqua banana are used as ingredients to prepare many dishes such as [[curry]] soup, [[hot pot]], [[jam]], [[cake]]..., but the most common cooking method is [[boiling]].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" /> By boiling, when eaten, taqua banana would be very supple, fragrant and sweet and feel like there is honey inside.<ref name=":10">{{cite web |author=Nguyễn |first=Thơm |date=2023-04-13 |title=Loại chuối “khổng lồ”, có quả nặng hơn 1kg, giá bán lên đến 25.000 đồng/quả |trans-title="Giant" bananas, these some fruits weigh more than 1kg, sold for up to 25,000 VND/fruit |url=https://nongthonviet.com.vn/loai-chuoi-khong-lo-co-qua-nang-hon-1kg-gia-ban-len-den-25000-dongqua-1457576.ngn |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Nông thôn Việt journal |language=vi}}</ref> Because of their large size, when boiled, they are often tied tightly with string to prevent the skin from cracking, preventing water from seeping in and losing sweetness of banana fruits.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":1" />
The traditional process of boiling taqua bananas is as follows: picking ripe taqua bananas, separating each hand to dry in the hot sun, then incubated for about two days until the banana turns yellow. Separate each fruit with a knife. Use a string to tie tightly around banana fruit (like a [[bánh tét]]) to keep the peel from cracking. When cooking, the water would not penetrate to prevent banana fruits from becoming mushy and having a bland taste. Pour boiling water to cover the fruit, then place bamboo mats or stones on top to prevent banana fruits from becoming gray with [[sap]].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9" /> Cooking for about an hour to a half, use chopsticks to gently test to feel the softness, then bring it down. Wait getting cool and then use a knife to slice it suitable because taqua banana fruits are long and large. Arrange on a plate and enjoy.<ref name=":3" />
Taqua bananas are processed into banana [[jam]] quite elaborately. After harvesting, bananas has ripen naturally for about 2-3 days to facilitate peeling. The banana pulp is sliced thinly, soaked with [[lime juice]] to remove the sap. Whole thin banana slices are [[deep fried]] in [[cooking oil]]. When well-done yellow, take it out, drain off oil and sprinkle the cooked sugar-water to soak in, the jam would be sweet.<ref name=":12">{{cite web |author=Huyền Trang |date=2024-03-13 |title=Công nghệ nâng tầm đặc sản chuối tá quạ |trans-title=Technology enhances taqua bananas speciality |url=https://vnbusiness.vn/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe/cong-nghe-nang-tam-dac-san-chuoi-ta-qua-1098688.html |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=[[Vnbusiness]] |publisher=Business online journal, under [[Vietnam Cooperative Alliance]] |language=vi |location=Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội}}</ref>
== Breeding and cultivation ==
Due to the long planting time and difficulty in blooming, taqua banana has become scarce, which are [[Local food|specialty fruits]] in Cầu Kè district, Trà Vinh province.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11">{{cite web |author=HỮU HUỆ |date=2023-08-03 |title=Sản phẩm OCOP: Nâng cao giá trị nông sản đặc sản của vùng quê Cầu Kè |trans-title=OCOP products: Enhance the value of agricultural speciality of Cau Ke countryside |url=https://www.baotravinh.vn/kinh-te/san-pham-ocop-nang-cao-gia-tri-nong-san-dac-san-cua-vung-que-cau-ke-30586.html |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Trà Vinh newspaper |language=vi}}</ref> However, they adapt well to [[acid sulfate soil]].<ref name=":12" /> Planting a garden is not simple, because they rarely sprout, each mother-tree usually only grows 1-2 [[seedling]]<nowiki/>s,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":1" /> so [[digging]] up each seedling to plant a garden is quite difficult.<ref name=":5" /> Over time, small seedlings degenerate, susceptible to disease and poor fruit-quality leads to low profits.<ref name=":6" /> To reduce planting time, seedling [[tissue culture]] method is currently very popular.<ref name=":5" /> Usually, they would produce three harvests every 2 years.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />
Use [[in vitro]] method for breeding. The suitable environment for taqua banana buds to regenerate is [[Murashige and Skoog medium|''Murashige and Skoog medium'']] supplemented with compounds including [[napthan acetic acid]] (NAA) 0,1 mg/l, [[adenine hemisulfate]] 100 mg/l, [[coconut juice]] 10% v/v, [[sucrose]] 30gr/l, [[agar]] 8gr/l, [[6-benzylaminopurine]] (BAP) 5mg/l, pH 5.8. Explants in complete darkness would give the highest number of regenerative buds.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" /> To achieve the optimal number of rapidly multiplying buds on taqua banana, it is necessary to use a medium with the following ingredients: [[Murashige and Skoog medium|''Murashige and Skoog medium'']] supplemented with [[Growth regulator|growth regulators]] including [[adenine hemisulfate]] 100 mg/l, [[coconut juice]] 10% v/v, [[sucrose]] 30gr/l, [[agar]] 8gr/l, [[6-Benzylaminopurine|BAP]] 7mg/l, pH 5.8.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" /> To achieve the optimal rate of rooting, number of roots, root length, stem height as well as number of leaves/tree for complete regeneration of taqua banana, it is necessary to culture them in a medium with nutritious ingredients: [[MS medium|MS]] supplemented with NAA at concentration of 1 mg/l, [[adenine hemisulfatehemisulfate]] 100 mg/l, coconut juice 10% v/v, sucrose 20gr/l, agar 8gr/l, pH was adjusted at 5.8. Banana trees, that are reared in rich soil substrate, muck and coconut humus at a ratio of 2:1:2, grow best.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" />
[[Tissue culture]] produces healthy, disease-free seedlings with roots and leaves, absorbs soil and grows quickly. Planting at the same time makes it easy to care for and harvest banana bunches. Basal fertilizing, top-dressing, and water fully. Choosing to plant monoculture or polyculture (planting in the garden with other fruit trees) is fine.<ref name=":9" /> If planting polyculture, gardeners need to keep the distance wide enough for banana trees as well as enough light for 6-7 hours/day for the bananas to grow. If planting monoculture, gardeners should choose good soil and water fully. Although moisture is necessary, if taqua banana is waterlogged, after only 5-6 days of submerging the roots, the leaves would fold and dead-trees.<ref name=":9" /> Build a bed 50-60cm high, planting distance 3×4 m/tree, place the tree in a hole 20 cm lower than the bed surface, in two rows, water and cover with grass to keep it moist regularly to take care of the tree. Fertilize with [[NPK]] 20-20-15, 3-4 times/year according to tree trunk size and leaf color, and cultivate dusty warm soil. To keep the beautiful shape, gardeners need to wrap the banana bunch with blue nylon bag, cut off flower under banana hands, wrap a spoonful of [[urea]] fertilizer to cover the position of the stem where cutting flower, supporting banana fruits grow larger. Taqua bananas would bloom after about 8-9 months; and bunches can be harvested after 6-7 months.<ref name=":9" /> Currently, the cooperative in district is supporting gardeners to plant taqua banana according to [[VietGAP]] regulations to ensure quality, adapt to [[climate change]] and clearly trace the origin of the products.<ref name=":12" />
== Trade ==
[[File:Mứt chuối tá quạ.jpg|150px|thumb|Dried taqua banana jam]]
Previously, taqua banana produced few fruits and was believed to bring bad luck, so Tra Vinh people only planted it in few quantities in the garden, for the purpose of worshiping, eating or giving as a gift, but rarely planted it for trade.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /> Nowadays, taqua bananas are no longer believed to bring bad luck but have become a cultivar that is propagated everywhere because this fruit has high nutritional value as well as economic value,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> and consumption demand is increasing.<ref name=":1" /> Currently, taqua bananas are sold on the market with prices ranging from 9,000 - 12,000 VND/fruit, retail price in [[Hanoi]] is up to 25,000 VND/fruit.<ref name=":10" /> For seedlings, the price ranges from 150,000 - 450,000 VND/seedling depending on the size.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" />
In August 2022, Tan Qui [[Cooperative]] (An Phu Tan commune, [[Cầu Kè district]]) successfully researched and produced dried taqua banana [[jam]] products and sold them on the market. The people’s committee of Trà Vinh province certified [[OCOP]] 3 stars for this product on December 30, 2022.<ref name=":11" /> This product does not use [[Preservative|preservatives]] or [[Food additive|additives]] to maintain the sweetness of bananas. Taqua banana jam is packaged, fully labeled and sold well on the market, quite attracting customers.<ref name=":12" /> On average, the cooperative purchases 1.2 - 1.5 tons of banana fruits/month and produces about 0.5 - 0.6 tons of dried banana jam.<ref name=":11" /> This product is sold at supermarkets and stores in neighboring provinces such as [[Cần Thơ]], [[Vĩnh Long province|Vĩnh Long]], [[Hồ Chí Minh city]]; customers in [[Hanoi]] also look to order products online. Along with traditional sales, the cooperative also connects with [[TikTok|tiktokers]] to promote products at the garden, introduce production processes and [[livestream]] for sales.<ref name=":12" /> The OCOP program has contributed to improving the value, affirming the brand, and product quality for taqua bananas, and economic development for gardeners in Trà Vinh.<ref name=":11" />
