Every Lunar New Year, a plate of delicious cakes and candies is an indispensable part of the guest table in Vietnamese households. This year, instead of choosing ready-made cakes, candies, and jams from the market, many families are opting for homemade ones because they can choose their own flavors and preserve the natural taste of the ingredients.
During Tet (Vietnamese New Year), the whole family usually enjoys handmade cakes, jams, and candies with a cup of hot tea, reminiscing about old times.
Taking advantage of her lunch break, Ms. Bui Thi Thanh Huyen from Tho Son ward (Viet Tri) drove to Vincom to buy ingredients to make her own nougat candy (happiness candy) to offer to her ancestors and to serve guests during Tet. Choosing ingredients such as cashews, almonds, walnuts, raisins, butter, whole milk powder, marshmallows, etc., Ms. Huyen explained: "Many online stores sell ingredients for making nougat candy; you can just order and have it shipped to your door. But I'm worried about food safety, so I usually buy from large supermarket chains. For the past few years, I've not only made nougat candy for my family to enjoy during Tet but also to give as gifts to my relatives on both sides. Homemade nougat candy allows me to adjust the flavor to suit individual tastes, so people feel more secure compared to ready-made candies and snacks on the market."
Like Ms. Huyen, Ms. Minh Thu in Gia Cam ward (Viet Tri) often buys coconuts to make various kinds of coconut jam at home for offerings and entertaining guests during Tet. Ms. Minh Thu said: "Compared to market prices, my homemade products aren't cheaper, but they meet everyone's taste and, most importantly, contain no preservatives. In my family, everyone has their own favorite flavor, so I usually make a little of each. This year, I plan to make 15 kg of various kinds of coconut jam for my family to use and as gifts for both sides of the family."
Nougat candy is popular because it is made with nuts and dried fruits.
These batches of nougat candy are suitable for all ages.
According to our research, in recent years, some consumers, instead of choosing imported or domestically produced confectionery, have shifted their preference towards handmade cakes, jams, and candies for use during Tet (Lunar New Year).
Choosing a Tet gift basket containing products like onion biscuits, nougat candy, young coconut jam, chewy candy, and sticky rice cake to give to his parents in his hometown for Tet, Mr. Hoang Manh Hung from Thanh Son town (Thanh Son district) said: "Every year I used to buy imported candies and snacks to give to my parents, but these past few years, because my parents are getting older, I've switched to ordering handmade items. Because they are homemade, I can ask the makers to reduce the amount of sugar and milk, and most importantly, these products don't contain preservatives."
To make delicious batches of nougat candy, Ms. Thanh Tuyen (Thanh Tuyen Food) has to monitor the temperature using a thermometer.
Responding to consumer demand, many people are producing their own cookies, coconut jam, and nougat candy for sale on social media this Tet holiday. Ms. Do Thi Thanh Tuyen, owner of Thanh Tuyen Food in Nong Trang ward (Viet Tri), said: "My family specializes in producing products for Tet, and our onion cookies, nougat candy, and young coconut jam are selling very well. Last Tet, we sold 550 kg of nougat candy and 500 kg of coconut jam. This year, we have received orders from organizations for gifts, and we plan to produce 300 kg of nougat candy and 300 kg of coconut jam..."
Nougat candy is beautifully packaged.
According to Ms. Thanh Tuyen, making cookies, coconut jam, and nougat candy isn't difficult because there are many instructional videos online and ready-made ingredients available for purchase. However, to create a delicious product with a unique flavor, experience is required. Ms. Thanh Tuyen added: "Thanh Tuyen's nougat candy is made from 100% seaweed sugar, malt, Korean corn sugar, almonds, cranberries, dried mango, dried strawberries... The ingredients are sourced with proper documentation and invoices, so even though the price is higher than other places, customers still trust and order our nougat candy."
Packaging of mixed-flavor young coconut jam products at Thanh Tuyen Food facility.
In recent years, nougat candy has gained widespread popularity due to its health benefits, thanks to the nuts and fruits used in its preparation. Made primarily from marshmallows, milk powder, dried fruits, and nuts, nougat not only boasts a unique flavor but also incredibly beautiful colors. Besides its mild sweetness, nougat also has a tangy taste from the dried fruits and a rich, nutty flavor from the nuts. This chewy, rich, sweet candy has a delicious and nutritious milky and nutty flavor.
Tet is a time for the whole family to gather together in a warm and cozy atmosphere, enjoying a cup of hot tea while savoring homemade jams, cakes, and candies, reminiscing about old memories.
Chi Huong
Source: https://baophutho.vn/banh-keo-handmade-hut-khach-226536.htm
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