Homemade grass jelly is popular because it's both delicious and refreshing, helping to cool the body and improve overall health.

Thu Hoai, a young woman born in 2002 from Phuoc Vinh ward (Thuan Hoa district), has been searching for sương sâm leaves to make jelly. Hoai said: “Before, I used to like refreshing summer drinks that were 'healthy' and 'trendy.' That is, they had to be both good for health and fashionable. Over time, my preferences changed because I realized that the most important thing is that the drink must suit the weather, my health condition, my taste, and my budget.”

This year, Hoai experimented many times and found the perfect recipe for making refreshing grass jelly. The Gen Z girl said: "This summer, homemade refreshing jellies are in high demand because they are made from natural ingredients, are good for health, safe, and contain no preservatives. Jelly made from grass jelly leaves is the most popular."

According to Hoài, making jelly from these leaves is very simple. Just blend the leaves in a blender, then squeeze and strain to allow the jelly liquid to solidify. "Because it's made from natural leaves, the jelly is both refreshing, nutritious, and safe. You can also add sugar and coconut milk as you like, so you can enjoy a delicious, refreshing, and healthy treat without worrying about gaining weight," Hoài said.

With their skillful hands, young people are showcasing their talent in making not only jellies but also many other summer drinks like milk tea, fruit smoothies, and fruit teas. In particular, with their resourcefulness, these handmade summer cooling products are also providing a significant source of income for many. For example, Thu Hoai not only uses them at home but also sells homemade grass jelly online. For the past two weeks, she has received orders almost every day, providing her with an additional income of an average of 100-120 thousand VND per day.

Also finding her calling in handmade summer drinks, Hoang Thi Hien, a young woman in her 20s from Vinh Hung commune (Phu Loc district), has opened a beverage shop. In the summer of 2024, Hien started by selling homemade refreshing jelly drinks on Facebook. Over time, Hoang Thi Hien explored and quickly grasped new trends to meet customer demand for unique experiences, thereby creating business opportunities for herself.

Hien shared: “In 2024, young people favored hand-crushed lemon tea, soursop tea, and clay pot milk tea. This summer, in addition to those drinks, mangosteen tea, passion fruit tea, and various tropical fruit teas and jellies are trending on TikTok and Facebook. Therefore, I have to constantly learn and innovate to maintain the quality of existing refreshing products while adding trendy drinks for customers to choose from.”

According to Hien, as summer approaches and the weather gets hotter, the demand for cooling food and drinks increases. While quick to grasp trends, for this young woman in her 20s, it's not just about following trends; in the long run, her dedication to quality and flavor is what truly keeps customers coming back.

"I always try to carefully select my ingredients to ensure both quality and the best-tasting recipes. The goal is to make every drink and jelly dessert meet homemade standards and guarantee food safety and hygiene," Hien said. Thanks to this, even though her shop has only been open for a short time, it has become very popular with customers, and her income has increased significantly and is becoming increasingly stable.

Text and photos: MAI HUẾ

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/do-giai-nhiet-handmade-154425.html