Cordia dichotama berry unites villagers

Nowadays, Cordia dichotoma berries are a ubiquitous addition to dishes in many restaurants; however, according to elderly people, the berries were considered a gourmet food to poorer people in ancient times. During the Cordia dichotoma berry season from May to June each year, it is a common sight in rural areas to see groups of women engaged in the lengthy berry-processing procedure. This traditional annual activity has the added benefit of promoting community cohesion.

Following planting, it takes two years for Cordia dichotoma trees to bear fruit. After that, one gets an annual harvest of berries, which take around 15 hours to process. The finished berries are incorporated into many recipes, including steamed fish, stir-fried bean curd sheet, scrambled eggs, and meatballs, or simply eaten directly. Mrs. Liao Su-jin (廖素金) said the production of Cordia dichotoma berries has been passed down from family to family over generations. Today, however, few people are willing to spend the time required in the lengthy production process, and so this ancient culinary cuisine is gradually disappearing.

以下為中文對照

破布子製作也可敦親睦鄰

破布子又稱樹子，長輩說這是古時窮人家桌上的美食佳餚，現在餐廳裡面也都有破布子做的菜色。每年五、六月是破布子產期，破布子做起來耗工所以常會看到許多鄉下婆婆、媽媽相邀一起做破布子聯絡感情。

破布子栽種至長果需兩年的時間，採收過後每年都可以採，從採收到製作完成約要十五個小時，破布子可蒸魚、炒豆包、炒蛋、做肉丸子，也可以直接吃。廖素金太太說做破布子也是一種傳承，因為年輕人沒人願意去做，製作破布子的古法可能就會失傳了。

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