Learn the history of Phu Quoc fish sauce barrel house
The history of Phu Quoc fish sauce barrel house has been around for more than 2 centuries. With the advantage of a large sea area, abundant anchovy resources, Phu Quoc people have focused on producing fish sauce according to their own secrets, gradually becoming the main traditional occupation in this place.
The most developed time of Phu Quoc fish sauce was around the nineteenth century, the first bottles of Phu Quoc fish sauce were exported abroad. However, it was not until the 70s of the twentieth century that it was really the peak of Phu Quoc fish sauce.
However, in the 90s, because the country was too heavily affected by the war, many Phu Quoc barrel houses had to close. Only later, fish sauce making in Phu Quoc developed and recovered. Currently, in Phu Quoc, there are more than 100 fish sauce barrel houses operating here.
Learn firsthand the production process of premium Phu Quoc fish sauce
Phu Quoc fish sauce will be brewed in large wooden barrels, placed in a cool, dry area so as not to be affected from outside. Each batch of fish sauce is guaranteed delicious – clean – quality approved by the Ministry of Health for quality and safety.
The production process of fine Phu Quoc fish sauce at the barrel house will be prepared and implemented as follows:
- Production equipment: Large wooden crates are made of durable, sturdy materials with a shelf life of up to 60 years.
- Ingredients: Pepper striped anchovies, red anchovies or charcoal anchovies and low-impurity salt stored about 3 months beforehand.
- Processing stage: Anchovies will be marinated with salt in a ratio of 3: 1, then put in large wooden barrels aged for 12 to 15 months.
- Drain fish sauce after brewing: After brewing for enough time from 1 to more than 1 year, fish sauce will be drawn according to each protein level and mixed in 1 round then taken to dry in the natural sun.
- Finished product bottling: After enough sun exposure, fish sauce will be bottled manually and transported to the selling address and distribution facility.
Taste Phu Quoc fish sauce with authentic taste, fragrant with the smell of the sea
The finished product of each batch of Phu Quoc fish sauce after being aged for enough time will have a natural yellow-brown color, not containing coloring products like many other fish sauces on the market. Just taste it, visitors will feel a completely different taste. The reason Phu Quoc fish sauce has this characteristic taste is because in the preparation stage, fresh fish is immediately marinated with salt and the brewing time is quite long.
Check-in by the unique large wooden crates
The large wooden crates for marinating fish are from 2 to 4m high, 20cm wide, 6cm thick and can hold from 15 to 20 tons of fish. The materials used are all high-quality wood, with high durability. The bottom of the wooden barrel is drilled 1 hole to attach the fish sauce drain valve. This is also the unique point in Phu Quoc fish sauce barrel house that many tourists love. Many young people have chosen to check-in next to these large wooden crates to save photos as memories after the trip.
Buy genuine Phu Quoc fish sauce as a gift
Coming to Phu Quoc fish sauce barrel house, visitors can also choose and buy directly the bottles of fine fish sauce here as gifts to relatives and friends.
However, the cost of fish sauce bottles will be higher than buying at specialty stores because it will depend on many factors such as different recipes , protein and especially packaging.
If you intend to buy fish sauce – a famous Phu Quoc specialty in barrel houses, please note the following:
- It is recommended to buy glass bottled fish sauces that will have a longer shelf life if you intend to buy them as gifts.
- Ask the manufacturer of the fish sauce to be carefully boxed so that it can be carried on board (currently only supported by Jetstar and Vietjet) to ensure safety and not breakage.
- Quality fish sauces will have high protein, which means a higher price, so you should consider carefully before buying.
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