Coastal Purple Shallots: From Farm to Pantry
Meet the farmers who cultivate Vietnamese heirloom purple shallots
"Do you want to try this? It’s so sweet!" Mrs. Châu grinned, her weathered hands sliced through the glossy purple bulb. I stared in amazement because this was my first time witnessing someone eating raw shallots as if they were candy.
Mrs. Châu isn’t just any farmer. She’s the heart and soul of a thriving agricultural co-op in Ninh Thuận specializing in heirloom purple shallots and garlic. We connected with her while searching for a new shallot supplier. After months of chatting online, Duy and I finally met her and her husband at the farm.
In Ninh Thuận, a coastal province known for its harsh climate and sun-scorched landscape, Mrs. Châu’s farm sits in a quiet commune, far from the main road. We arrived just in time for lunch, and Mrs. Châu greeted us with her signature warm smile. The table was laden with southern-central Vietnamese dishes. Our conversation naturally flowed from the meal to the story of the shallots.
Coastal Purple Shalot farm
Ninh Thuận is the driest region in Vietnam with the lowest rainfall and limited fresh water sources. It’s known for two things: scorching sun and fierce winds. The climate makes it a challenging place for agriculture. Locals have a saying to describe the extreme conditions: "nắng như rang, gió như phan." It is roughly translated to “sun as hot as roasting, wind as strong as a slap.” Despite these challenges, the heirloom purple shallots and garlic are thriving. Quietly taking root in the sandy soil, these shallots have a striking reddish-purple skin with small, oblong-shaped bulbs. The flavors are intense with a sharp bite followed by an unexpected sweet aftertaste.
Over four decades, Mrs. Châu and her husband have been growing these purple gems, carrying on a tradition passed down from their fathers. But 2020 brought challenges when COVID-19 threatened to destroy local farming communities. In response, she formed a co-op to support neighboring farms. The main goal is to protect local farmers from exploitative buyers and ensure a stable income.
What started as a lifeline for five family-operated farms has blossomed into a network of 25 and counting. As a self-taught entrepreneur, Mrs. Châu has thrown herself into learning everything about modern agriculture by attending countless conferences, workshops, and trade shows. Not only does she bring back new farming techniques, but she also equips the members with business skills in the digital age. One of her biggest accomplishments has been obtaining certifications to validate the high quality of her shallots and garlic. In a few short years, she has introduced these specialty crops across Vietnam and abroad.
Left: Drying freshly harvested purple shallots
Right: Purple shallots after being sun-dried and cleaned
In 2022, Mrs. Châu took a major step by shifting to organic farming. The learning curve was steep, filled with error and trial, but the current result speaks for itself. Walking through her fields, she picked up one of the bulbs, “My shallots may not look perfect compared to others, but the quality is superb. They’re my pride.”
Recent setbacks, including the sudden disruption in U.S. AID funding, haven’t dimmed her determination. "It’s tough to grow without that financial help, but I keep going. Many families depend on this co-op," she told us.
Left: Mrs. Châu with her shallots
Right: Mrs. Châu's husband in the field
As we prepared to leave, Mrs. Châu packed us a large box of purple shallot blossoms. “Take these home to your moms. They’re sweet, tender, and very rare,” she said with a smile.
We came seeking a new supplier but left with much more: a partnership, a steady source of the most flavorful organic shallots, and the inspiring story of a dedicated leader.
Left: Purple shallot blossoms
Right: Farm worker harvesting purple shallot blossoms
Every bulb carries the story of Ninh Thuận's scorching sun, Mrs. Châu's unwavering dedication, and the heart of a farming community. Coastal Purple Shallot represents a legacy of resilience, quality, and authentic Vietnamese flavor.
These remarkable shallots have become our customers' favorite for good reason. Their complex flavor profile elevates every dish. Thanks to our partnership with Mrs. Châu's co-op, we're thrilled to introduce our new jumbo bags to bring you more of this Vietnamese treasure.
