Cao Bang grass jelly: A summertime treat.

With the mild sub-tropical climate of the northeast, this mountainous province is a perfect place for the planting and harvesting of the main ingredient to make grass jelly.

The process of making jelly is not complicated, but requires a very careful hand, especially while washing the grass jelly leaves.

The dried leaves must be purified very carefully. Just like washing clothes, you can’t leave any dust, or else the quality won’t be guaranteed and the leaves can’t be used.

After three hours of boiling and non-stop stirring, the grass jelly starts to expand and develops a sweet flavour. After that, it goes through another washing process, and after being rinsed three times in clean water and filtered with fabric to eliminate any scum, you finally have a big cauldron of pure grass jelly water.

After purification, the mixed grass jelly water is boiled for two more hours before sugar and tapioca powder is added to create flavour and condense the mixture into cubes. After being divided into 1kg slabs and having cooled down, the tasty grass jellies are ready to serve.

Source: Nhan Dan

Banh khao Thong Hue, a speciality of Cao Bang

Cao Bang has more than stunning landscapes and historical sites to offer, the northern province is also home to delicious bánh khảo, or sweet shortcake made of roast glutinous rice flour.

Phia Den mountain: Hometown of glass noodles

Phia Den mountain, Cao Bang province, is considered hometown of glass noodle as natural conditions here are ideal for not only growing its ingredient – canna, but also for its making process.