Chè trôi nước facts for kids
A bowl of chè trôi nước
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| Type | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Vietnam |
| Region or state | Southeast Asia |
| Serving temperature | Warm |
| Main ingredients | Mung bean paste, glutinous rice flour, water, sugar, ginger root |
| Variations | Bánh trôi, bánh chay |
Chè trôi nước is a delicious Vietnamese dessert. It means "floating dessert wading in water." This sweet treat is made from soft, chewy balls of glutinous rice flour. Inside each ball is a yummy filling of mung bean paste.
These dessert balls float in a warm, sweet syrup. The syrup is usually clear or light brown. It gets its special flavor from water, sugar, and grated ginger root. People often serve chè trôi nước warm. They might add sesame seeds and coconut milk on top.
Contents
What is Chè trôi nước?
Chè trôi nước is a popular dessert in Vietnam. It's known for its unique texture and sweet taste. The name describes how the little rice balls look like they are floating in water.
How is it Made?
To make chè trôi nước, cooks first prepare the filling. This is usually a sweet paste made from mung beans. Next, they make a dough from glutinous rice flour and water. Small pieces of dough are flattened. Then, a bit of mung bean paste is placed in the center. The dough is carefully shaped into a round ball, sealing the filling inside.
These little balls are then cooked in boiling water. Once they float to the top, they are ready. They are then moved into a sweet syrup. This syrup is made by boiling water with sugar and fresh ginger. The ginger gives the syrup a warm, slightly spicy flavor.
How to Enjoy This Dessert
Chè trôi nước is best served warm. The warm syrup and soft rice balls are very comforting. Often, people sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the top. A drizzle of creamy coconut milk is also a common addition. These toppings add extra flavor and texture to the dessert.
When is Chè trôi nước Eaten?
This special dessert is often enjoyed during important times. It is a traditional dish for the Lunar New Year celebration. This holiday is a very important time for families in Vietnam.
More recently, people also serve chè trôi nước during the Cold-Eating Festival. This festival happens on the third day of the third month in the Vietnamese calendar. It's a time when people eat cold foods. However, chè trôi nước is usually served warm, making it a comforting exception.
Similar Desserts Around the World
Chè trôi nước has some close relatives, both in Vietnam and other countries.
Vietnamese Cousins
In northern Vietnam, there are two similar desserts:
- Bánh trôi: This dessert is very much like chè trôi nước. It also features glutinous rice balls with a sweet filling.
- Bánh chay: This is another northern Vietnamese dessert. It shares many similarities with chè trôi nước. Sometimes, people in northern Vietnam even call chè trôi nước by the name bánh chay.
Chinese Connection
Chè trôi nước is also quite similar to a Chinese dish called tangyuan. Tangyuan are also glutinous rice balls. They can have various fillings, like black sesame, peanut, or red bean paste. They are also served in a sweet soup. This shows how food traditions can be similar across different cultures.
See also
