Discovering the Flavor of Ninh Binh Lac Candy: Secrets from Craft Villages

Discovering the Flavor of Ninh Binh Lac Candy: Secrets from Craft Villages

Ninh Binh peanut candy, with the sweet, crunchy and aromatic flavor of peanuts, has become an indispensable specialty in the culinary and cultural life of the people of this land. Join BDATrip to explore the process of making peanut candy in Ninh Binh and embark on a journey to learn the secrets of the craft village, experience the delicate blend of ingredients and feel the unique, unforgettable flavor.

Some details about Ninh Binh peanut candy

Ninh Binh peanut candy is a famous specialty, not only loved by locals but also captivates tourists from all over. With the sweet, crunchy and aromatic flavor of peanuts, peanut candy has become an indispensable part of the culinary and cultural life of Ninh Binh. Behind each peanut candy are secrets and traditions passed down through generations, contributing to creating an unforgettable unique flavor. The peanut candy making village in Ninh Binh is not only a place to produce delicious candies but also a place to preserve the cultural values ​​and long-standing traditions of the people here. Every step in the candy making process, from choosing ingredients to cooking and molding, requires meticulousness and skill from the craftsman. It is the family secrets and special techniques that help Ninh Binh peanut candy stand out and be different from peanut candy in other regions.

History and Origin of Lac Candy Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh peanut candy has a long history, associated with folk stories and legends. According to local people, peanut candy appeared hundreds of years ago, originating from traditional craft villages specializing in making sweets to serve on holidays. Initially, peanut candy was handmade with simple, easy-to-find ingredients such as peanuts, malt sugar, and a little glutinous rice flour. Over time, candy making techniques have been increasingly improved and perfected, helping peanut candy become popular and widely loved.

Peanut candy is often served with tea
Peanut candy is often served with tea

The development of Ninh Binh peanut candy does not stop at the family level but also spreads to the craft village scale. In the early years of the 20th century, many craft villages making peanut candy were formed, concentrated mainly in rural areas. Here, artisans have constantly learned and exchanged experiences to create delicious peanut candies, meeting the increasing demand of the market. Ninh Binh peanut candy is not only a sweet dish but also carries many cultural values ​​and traditions of the local people. During holidays and New Year, peanut candy is often used as a gift, to worship ancestors or as a gift for guests visiting the house. This is the way Ninh Binh people show hospitality, respect and affection for the recipient. In addition, peanut candy also appears in many cultural events and traditional festivals of Ninh Binh. During major festivals such as Trang An festival and Hoa Lu festival, peanut candy is often sold at stalls, attracting the attention of tourists. This is also an opportunity for craft villages to introduce their products, promote their brands and build trust with consumers.

Peanut Candy Making Process

Step 1: First, roast the peanuts with salt over medium heat until the peanuts are evenly cooked and have a characteristic aroma. When the peanuts are cooked, pour them out and wait to cool, then scrub the skins. Sesame seeds are also roasted over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant, then turn off the stove. Next, mix peanuts and roasted sesame together to get ready for the next steps.

Step 2: Pour 50ml of water and 100g of sugar into a pot, heat over low heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Continue cooking until the sugar mixture turns golden brown. When the sugar is up to standard, add lemon juice to the pot and shake well. Then, add honey, stir gently to mix well. Quickly add the shelled peanuts and sesame seeds, stir well so that the peanut and sesame mixture is evenly coated with sugar and honey.

Step 3: Prepare a sheet of wax paper with a thin layer of cooking oil, pour the peanut candy mixture onto the wax paper. Use another sheet of parchment paper to cover the top and use a pot lid or heavy object to press down and spread the mixture evenly. After the mixture has cooled a bit, remove the parchment paper and use a sharp knife to cut the candy into bite-sized pieces. Let the candy cool completely, then put it in an airtight container or wrap it in cellophane for preservation.

The process of making peanut candy requires meticulousness
The process of making peanut candy requires meticulousness

Secrets of the Peanut Candy Making Village

Family Recipe

The secrets to creating the unique flavor of Ninh Binh peanut candy cannot help but mention the family recipe passed down through many generations. Each family in the craft village has its own secrets to creating delicious and different peanut candies. This recipe includes not only the exact proportions of ingredients but also the method of preparation, cooking time and appropriate temperature. It is the meticulousness in each step that helps Ninh Binh peanut candy retain its unique flavor, not mixed with any other candy. Peanuts are carefully selected, must be large, firm peanuts, then roasted and shelled to ensure no impurities remain. Malt sugar is cooked from glutinous rice and malt, through hydrolysis to create a sugar that is sweet, not too harsh. The mixing ratio between peanuts and malt sugar is the key factor to create a candy with moderate crunch and sweetness. In addition, some families also add additional ingredients such as roasted sesame, coconut milk or a little salt to create a special flavor for peanut candy.

Candy Making Techniques

Peanut candy making technique is an important factor that determines the quality and flavor of the product. The process of roasting peanuts requires the skill and patience of the worker. Peanuts must be roasted over low heat, stirring regularly to cook evenly without burning. After cooking, malt sugar will be boiled over low heat, stirring continuously until it reaches a sticky consistency and a golden color. When the sugar has reached the desired consistency, roasted peanuts will be added and mixed well so that the peanuts stick evenly to the sugar. The molding process also requires precision and speed. The peanut and malt sugar mixture will be poured into a wooden or metal mold that has been coated with a layer of cooking oil to prevent sticking. The mold will then be compressed tightly so that the candy has adhesion and a regular shape. When the candy has cooled and solidified, the mold will be removed and the candy will be cut into bite-sized pieces. This step also requires skill so that the candy is uniform in size and shape.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix them

During the process of making peanut candy, there are many mistakes that can happen and affect the quality of the product. One of the common mistakes is roasting peanuts unevenly, causing the peanuts to burn or not cook thoroughly, losing the typical flavor of the candy. To fix it, workers need to pay attention to stirring peanuts evenly and control the fire carefully. In addition, cooking malt sugar without reaching the necessary consistency can also cause the candy to become hard or not stick well. To avoid this, workers need to be patient and stir continuously when cooking sugar.

Characteristic Flavor of Ninh Binh Lac Candy

Flavor Characteristics

Ninh Binh peanut candy is famous for its unique flavor, difficult to mix with any other candy. When you bite into a piece of candy, you will immediately feel the wonderful harmony between the crunchiness of peanuts and the soft, sweet taste of malt sugar. After being thoroughly roasted, the peanuts retain their nutty, aromatic flavor, combining perfectly with the toughness of the malt sugar, creating an interesting feeling when chewing. Each candy has a rustic, simple yet extremely attractive and rich flavor.

Not only is it sweet and crunchy, Ninh Binh peanut candy also has a unique aroma from peanuts and malt sugar. When opening the candy package, the nutty aroma of roasted peanuts blends with the sweet scent of sugar, creating a pleasant, attractive scent. In particular, if the candy is made from pure malt sugar, the flavor will be even more delicate, not too sweet but elegant and pleasant.

Comparison With Other Types Of Peanut Candy

Ninh Binh peanut candy has many differences compared to peanut candy in other regions, from ingredients, production process to final flavor. One of the highlights is the sophistication in the choice of ingredients and processing techniques. Peanuts are carefully selected, only large, firm peanuts are used, ensuring crunchiness and flavor when eaten. Malt sugar is cooked from glutinous rice and malt, through the natural hydrolysis process, creating a sweet, not harsh sweetness. Compared to peanut candy in other regions, Ninh Binh peanut candy usually has moderate toughness, not too hard but not too soft, creating an interesting feeling when chewing. The sweet, gentle taste of malt sugar combined with the nutty taste of roasted peanuts makes the candy not boring, and you will never get tired of eating it. In addition, some candy-making families also add additional ingredients such as roasted sesame and coconut milk to create a richer and more diverse flavor.

Competitive Advantage of Ninh Binh Lac Candy

Ninh Binh peanut candy has many competitive advantages compared to other types of peanut candy on the market. First of all, it is the quality of raw materials and traditional production processes, carried out meticulously and carefully. Each candy is handmade, imbued with the culture and traditions of Ninh Binh. This not only creates a unique flavor but also helps Ninh Binh peanut candy maintain the trust and love of consumers. In addition, Ninh Binh peanut candy also stands out with its diversity of flavors and designs. In addition to traditional peanut candy, consumers can also find new types of peanut candy such as sesame peanut candy and coconut peanut candy, meeting the diverse needs and preferences of customers. This helps Ninh Binh peanut candy easily dominate the market and become a meaningful and popular gift during holidays, New Year and special events.

The typical flavor of Ninh Binh peanut candy is the perfect combination of crunchiness, sweetness and the nutty aroma of peanuts and malt sugar, creating a dish that is both simple and sophisticated. Peanut candies are not only a culinary specialty but also carry the cultural and traditional values ​​of the people of Ninh Binh, demonstrating the ingenuity and enthusiasm of the craft workers. Discovering and enjoying Ninh Binh peanut candy is not only a unique flavor experience but also a journey to learn about the culture and people of this land. Come and feel the wonderful taste of Ninh Binh peanut candy, so that each piece of candy will be an unforgettable memory on your journey.

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