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Coconut candy
Traditional coconut candy making
Coconut candy most commonly refers to the candy produced in B Tre province, Vietnam, made with coconut milk and coconut cream. The Ben Tre Province is nicknamed by Vietnamese as the "Land of Coconut" (Xu Dua). The Vietnamese term for coconut candy is "keo dua", with keo = candy and dua = coconut.
Origin
Coconut candy was originally associated with Mo Cay, a small township within the Ben Tre province.
Manufacturing Process
The production of coconut candy starts with the grating of fresh coconut flesh. The grated flesh is pressed to extract coconut milk and coconut cream. Malt syrup and sugar are then added to this mixture of coconut milk and cream. The ratio of the various ingredients is a closely guarded secret of individual coconut candy manufacturers. The mixing process is often entrusted only to family members of the factory owner. Slight variations in the ingredient ratios can lead to very different texture and taste in the final product.
The mixture is then heated to a very high temperature in large woks over fires generated by the burning of coconut shells. While being heated, the mixture is stirred continuously to ensure even heat distribution. Traditionally, this stirring process was done manually with large wooden paddles. In larger modern manufacturing facilities, these paddles have been replaced by electric motors driving large rotor blades. The heated mixture eventually caramelizes to a thicker texture. Recognizing when the mixture has been cooked to the right level is more of an art than an exact science. While it is still hot and soft, the thickened mixture is then stringed out into molds and allowed to cool. The final step sees the candy strings cut into rectangular lozenges, then wrapped and packaged.
Coconut candy is commonly wrapped in two layers of wrappings. The inner layer is edible rice paper, and the outer layer is either waxed paper or normal wrapping paper soaked in vegetable oil. These measures were necessary to stop the candy from sticking to the paper wrapping. Some manufacturers now use heat-sealed foil paper, which does not stick to the candy and also enables the wrapping process to be performed by machines.
Economic Importance
Ben Tre currently has over one hundred coconut candy manufacturers, making up thirty percent of local enterprises. However, the market is dominated by a handful of well known brands, with most manufacturers producing candy under licence for these brands. Coconut candy is sold throughout Viet Nam. It is also exported to other Asian countries, Australia, Europe and North America.
Categories: Vietnamese cuisine | Coconuts | Confectionery | Snack foodsHidden categories: Articles lacking sources from October 2009 | All articles lacking sources
