Ok now, what's the relationship between a sun-dried grapefruit or pomelo skin and one's hair?
A terrific wig for a costume party no doubt, but as alluded to in a previous post, homemade shampoo is cooked up using these citrus strands.
As it's a by-product of the fruit, I thought a bit of research about this practice might be worthwhile. My research methods were a tad haphazard - ask a few random people a few questions - and hitherto, haven't borne all that much...um...information! Any additions to the following piecemeal efforts are most welcome.
The story goes like this: before Sunsilk, there was grapefruit hairwash liquid. Taking the mean results of my grossly flawed 'interviews', the product is got somehow from boiling the peel in water with ingredients including slices of lime and some kind of black seed pod. The seed pod I've seen out back of the Dong Xuan market but I'm clueless about what tree it comes from. The other constituents could well be "wool of bat and tongue of dog" for all I know. Boiling time and lathering quality are also mysteries. I think I was wrongfully questioning the Sunsilk generation of women!
Largely the preference of older women these days, I fear this shrewd practice is on the way out, despite the widespread spectacle of skins hanging in the sun. The plethora of shampoo ads and billboards may signal its deathknell.
That has to be one of the coolest photos of food I have ever seen. It's like a found art piece.
Posted by: Farid | 05 November 2005 at 02:30 AM
Farid - Thanks for the encouragement. Much of Hanoi is like an installation!
Posted by: Sticky | 09 November 2005 at 12:39 AM
That was the best article I have ever read! Thank you.
Posted by: click here | 07 November 2008 at 07:04 AM