O-aew facts for kids

O-aew, with o-aew jelly and kidney beans (top), served with shaved ice and syrup (bottom).

O-aew (Thai: โอ้เอ๋ว) is a special shaved ice dessert from Phuket, Thailand. It was brought to Phuket by Hokkien Chinese settlers. The main part of o-aew is a unique jelly. This jelly is made from the seeds of the o-aew plant. This plant is a type of creeping fig (called Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang). A similar jelly, called aiyu jelly, is very popular in Taiwan.

History of O-aew

O-aew comes from aiyu jelly, which is a common ingredient in Hokkien Chinese cooking. Hokkien immigrants moved to Phuket when the tin mining industry was growing. This happened from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. They brought their food traditions, including this jelly, with them.

You can find similar jellies in other places where Hokkien people settled, like Taiwan and Singapore. However, the o-aew in Phuket was most influenced by nearby Penang. Many families in Phuket's Old Town have been selling o-aew for many generations. It's a proud family business!

How O-aew is Made

The most important part of this dessert is the jelly itself. It's made from the seeds of the o-aew plant.

Making the Jelly

First, the o-aew seeds are soaked in water. Then, they are squeezed to get out a special gel. This gel is mixed with juice from a type of banana called nam wa banana. To make the jelly firm, a gelling agent called Calcium sulphate is added. After mixing, the jelly is left to set overnight.

Serving O-aew

Once the jelly is ready, it is served with crushed ice and sweet syrup. Common toppings include red kidney beans and grass jelly.

When you order o-aew, people often use a special code based on colors.

• White means the o-aew jelly.
• Red means red kidney beans.
• Black means grass jelly.

For example, if you ask for "white-red," you will get o-aew jelly with red kidney beans on top.