There was even a special one that was a little spicy!
Ngon quá! (So delicious!)
Two days before February 17th, the day people celebrate Tết, I went looking for mứt trays which would have a variety of different jam candies.
They were all sold out!
Every shop had empty spaces where the trays had been. That is how important mứt is. Families make sure to buy it before the holiday begins. I was frustrated that I could not find a variety tray, but grateful that the mứt was available for sale by the kilogram.
The outside of some of the candy was a little crunchy from sugar, and some of them were completely soft or gooey on the outside. The inside of all the candy was soft and chewy. The tamarind mứt me made my mouth pucker just a little, then smile!
When I drank green tea after eating mứt, it tasted perfect together.
I felt happy. I felt proud to share this cultural practice with my fellow Peace Corps volunteers who have not experienced it before. I felt connected to my family and my culture.
To make mứt, people use fruit, nuts or coconut and sugar.
First, they cut the fruit into pieces.
Next, they dry it in the sun.
Then, they cook it in sugar syrup.
Last, they dry it again until sugar crystals form on the outside.
Now, it is ready to eat!
