What is Banh Bo sweeted with Palmyra palm sugar?
It’s a popular kind of sweet in An Giang province of Vietnam, also known as the plane of Seven mountains, made from rice powder, coconut milk, added with jaggery and the powder of palmyra palm fruits, which create the eye-catching honey finish look of the sweet.
It’s Banh Bo, a specialty of An Giang province
To An Giang people, this Banh bo is tasty, cheap and healthy junk food, and to tourists visiting the land at the first time, Banh bo is a must-take away specialty as a present when return to their places as the little soft Banh bo carrying distinctive scent and sweetness could satisfy even the most picky eaters. Most of tourists once tried Banh Bo said they never forgot its flavour.
Palmyra palm fruit-one of the most important ingredient for Banh Bo
Picky in ingredients
To made a standard pieces of Banh bo is not simple. People have to start right from the stage of choosing ingredients. The powder has to be made from Nang Nhen rice-the local rice delicacy. Then they pick good palm fruits that have a thick layer of meat and turn them into powder. Jaggery used for Banh bo is the kind with no impurity. Besides, fermented rice is also an indispensable.
Jaggery for Banh Bo
How to make Banh bo
Firstly, Nang Nhen rice powder will be put together with fermented rice to stimulate the dough to ferment faster. Next, jaggery, palm fruit powder and coconut milk at an appropriate proportion will be added into the dough respectively for mixing. After mixing well the dough, the baker will set it aside for 1 night and the next morning it will be ready for making Banh bo.
Fermented rice help speed up Banh bo dough fermentation
The dough will be put into small molds then steamed. It takes up to half an hour for Banh bo to be cooked well. When the scent escape, it’s the signal telling baker that Banh bo is ready. The finished Banh bo of An Giang will be wrapped in a piece of banana leaf and served with a little of fresh shredded coconut.
Coconut milk to add flavor to Banh bo
Where to find the best Banh bo?
Being the local popular junk food, Banh bo could be found at any markets in An Giang whether they are small or large. The sweet is more than affordable, visitors could by a bunch of 10 pieces with more than 1 dollar.
Authentic Banh Bo of An Giang is wrapped in a piece of banana leaf and served with fresh shredded coconut
The West of Vietnam has an endless list of mouth-watering dishes that satisfy tourists from the first bites, Banh bo of An Giang is on of them so if you are in the place some time, don’t miss this interesting sweet.
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