Sweet as Viet Nam coconut candies

A type of Vietnamese candy has made it onto the list of the world’s best candies.

Ranked 26th with 3.5 stars, coconut candy is described by Taste Atlas as “a traditional Vietnamese candy originating from Ben Tre province, famous for its delicious coconuts.”

“The mixture of grated coconut, coconut milk, coconut cream, sugar, and malt syrup is poured into a large pan by the artisans and stirred continuously until it turns caramel in color and thickens.”

“Then, the mixture is poured into molds, allowed to cool, and cut into rectangles, wrapped in rice paper to prevent sticking, and then wrapped again in regular paper soaked in oil,” the famous website wrote about the coconut candy making process.

Nowadays, besides the traditional type, coconut candy comes in many variations with more unusual flavors such as roasted peanuts, pandan leaves, or durian.

According to some records, Viet Nam coconut candies originated in 1810 in Mo Cay district, Ben Tre province. Initially, locals called it Mo Cay candy. Over time, many people adjusted the preparation method, resulting in the flavor we know today.

Viet Nam coconut candies are very soft and chewy. Its flavor clearly reflects the culinary preferences of people in the Mekong Delta region: a sharp sweetness and a fragrant coconut aroma. When eaten, the candy gradually melts in the mouth.