“Mứt Tết” and “Ô mai” – very delicious preserved nosh in Lunar New Year
In Vietnamese New Year party, beside traditional dishes, no family can forget to make a tray of "Mứt Tết” and “Ô mai”, a cup of tea, betel and areca ready to entertain their visitors.
“Mứt Tết” refers to fruits or vegetables that have been prepared and canned for long term storage. The preparation of preserved fruit traditionally involves the use of pectin as a gelling agent, although sugar or honey may be used as well. There are various types of fruit preserves made in Vietnam, and they can be made from sweet or savory ingredients.
 “Mứt Tết” in Tet Holiday
|
“Mứt” is made from all sorts of fruit, including mandarin oranges, apples, banana, coconuts, persimmons and breadfruit. Vegetables like patatoes, carrots and squash are also turned into “Mứt”, as certain types of blossoms.
The most famous variety of “Mứt” is made from rose petals or peach blossoms. The raw materials are cleaned and peeled, then soaked in sugar and cooked until dry. Other types of “Mứt” have the sticky consistency of jam. Some varieties, like “cu lac” (peanut jam) are covered with a thick layer of sugar, but most have thin layer of sugar.
The colors are often quite intense and people serve different types of “Mứt” together, arranged in a colorful display. In Hanoi, Hang Dieu or Hang Duong Streets in Old Quarter are famous for shops that sell “Mứt”. Preserved fruits are masterpieces in these shops. They make all kinds of preserved fruit such as ginger, waxy pumpkin, apple, orange, lemon and carrot in various shapes and colours.
To welcome Tet is to welcome the spring. However, in January, which is spring time, the weather in Vietnam is still cold. It is a good idea to warm up with a cup of hot tea and a slice of preserved ginger with golden yellow colour and a special flavour...
“Ô mai” is often enjoyed with drinking tea
|
Beside “Mứt Tết”, “Ô mai” is salted dry apricot or sugared dry apricot that is a favourite nosh for many people in Hanoi and other provinces.
“Ô mai” is produced for traditional method, since chosing material, the company also send staff to gardens in Hung Yen, Hai Hung, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau in order to gather all crop of kinds of sour fresh fruit like plum, apricot, dracontomelum, star, tamarind, kumquat, pineaple, canari, lemon. That is the secret of Hang Duong experts, they plus sugar, ginger, add chilli, stir liquorice to have smooth yellow food with sweet-smelling.
This product is for instant all year and you can enjoy with a pot of tea and a few friends to chat. This is also valuable present from Ha Noi people giving to their friends.
If you would like to make dried apricot, you can use the following recipe and you can make the perfect nosh. First, you soak the apricots in water to cover overnight. Then, place them to cook in the same water. Cook until tender. Mash them or chop in blender. After that, peel, core, and cut the pineapple into small pieces. Cover with water and cook until tender. Measure the fruits and juices. Last, place equal amounts of sugar with the measured fruits into a heavy kettle and cook slowly until thick and clear.
18:06, 2024/04/10
MICHELIN Guide sets its sights on Vietnam’s central region
After Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Danang is the latest city to be added to the MICHELIN Guide's list of culinary destinations in Vietnam.
09:01, 2024/03/03
Pho Festival 2024 to feature 50 brands
During the three-day festival, people will be able to enjoy pho from 50 brands across the country at a special price.
07:28, 2024/02/08
Vietnam, South Korean share some similarities for New Year
There is something in common when celebrating the New Year in the two countries, especially in cuisine.
11:02, 2023/12/15
Pho wins over South African gourmets
Many South Africans, members of the diplomatic corps and Vietnamese expatriates have enjoyed and learned about Pho and Vietnamese cuisine.
18:29, 2023/11/23
Student project done to promote Hue cuisine
Both local and international travelers have expressed positive feelings about the app, which makes it easier to find restaurants in Hue.
20:13, 2023/11/20
One-Word Cream Cake for teachers on Vietnam's tradition
Teenagers in Hanoi have started the trend of painting a word on cakes for their loved ones.
- Four Hanoi delicacies listed among Vietnamese typical dishes
- Mooncake market: Vast selection, low sales
- Vejo: A vegan restaurant inspired by international gastronomy
- Hanoi culture-inspired mooncakes hit the market
- Southern traditional cake festival showcases 100 signature kinds
- Cafe Show: Bringing Vietnamese coffee to the world