Vietnamese Hard Candy: A Sweet and Crunchy Treat

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its bold and complex flavors, but it also offers a wide variety of sweet treats. One of the most popular types of candy in Vietnam is hard candy. These candies come in a variety of flavors and are often made with local ingredients such as honey, ginger, and coconut. In this article, we will explore the world of Vietnamese hard candy, including its history, ingredients, flavors, and how to make it.

1 - History of Vietnamese Hard Candy

Hard candy has been enjoyed in Vietnam for many years and is a popular snack for both children and adults. The earliest forms of hard candy were likely made by boiling sugar and water together, then pouring the mixture into molds to cool and harden. Over time, Vietnamese candy makers began adding flavors such as honey, ginger, and coconut to the mix, creating a unique and delicious candy.

Vietnamese hard candy is widely available throughout the country, and many small vendors and markets carry a variety of flavors. Prices for hard candy in Vietnam can vary depending on the quality and type of candy, but it is generally an affordable treat.

2 - Ingredients Used to Make Vietnamese Hard Candy

The main ingredient in hard candy in Vietnam is sugar, which is boiled together with water to create a syrup. Other ingredients such as honey, ginger, and coconut may be added to the syrup to create different flavors. Some candy makers also add food coloring to create a more visually appealing product.

3 - Flavors of Vietnamese Hard Candy

Vietnamese candies come in a wide range of flavors, from traditional flavors such as honey and ginger to more modern flavors like green tea and lychee. Coconut is also a popular flavor in Vietnam hard candy and is often paired with other flavors such as pandan or durian. Some Vietnamese hard candies also have a spicy kick, thanks to the addition of chili powder.

4 - How to Make Vietnamese Hard Candy

To make Vietnamese hard candies, sugar and water are boiled together to create a syrup. The syrup is then flavored with ingredients such as honey, ginger, or coconut and boiled again until it reaches the desired consistency. Once the syrup is ready, it is poured into molds or onto a greased surface to cool and harden. Some candy makers also add food coloring to create a more visually appealing product.

5 - Top 7 Popular Types of Vietnamese Hard Candy

Here are the top 10 popular types of traditional Vietnamese candy:

- Mut dua - Coconut candy: Coconut candy is one of the most popular types of Vietnamese candy. Made with coconut milk, sugar, and malt syrup, the candy is cooked until it hardens and then cut into small bite-sized pieces.

- Keo lac - Peanut candy: Peanut candy is another popular type of hard candy in Vietnam. It is made with roasted peanuts, sugar, malt syrup, and vanilla extract. The peanuts are mixed with the sugar syrup and then cooled until it hardens.

- Keo me xung - Sesame peanut candy: Sesame peanut candy is a popular snack in Vietnam, made with roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, sugar, and malt syrup. The peanuts and sesame seeds are mixed with the sugar syrup and then poured into a mold to cool and harden.

- Keo dua - Coconut milk candy: Coconut milk candy is a chewy, hard candy made with coconut milk, sugar, and malt syrup. The candy is cooked until it reaches the desired texture and then cut into small pieces.

- Keo socola - Chocolate candy: Chocolate candy is a popular hard candy in Vietnam made with chocolate, sugar, and malt syrup. The chocolate is melted and mixed with the sugar syrup and then poured into molds to create different shapes and sizes.

- Keo ca phe - Coffee candy: Coffee candy is a popular hard candy in Vietnam made with coffee, sugar, and malt syrup. The coffee is brewed and mixed with the sugar syrup and then poured into molds to create different shapes and sizes.

More about Vietnamese sweets: https://www.gapo.vn/1681492439/posts/rqvwzlrt47vb

In conclusion, Vietnamese hard candy is a delicious and affordable treat that comes in a wide range of flavors. Whether you prefer the traditional flavors of honey and ginger or the more modern flavors of green tea and lychee, there is a Vietnamese hard candy that will satisfy your sweet tooth. So next time you find yourself in Vietnam, be sure to try some