Coconut candy from Vietnam’s Mekong Delta has secured first place in the list of top 100 Asian confectioneries by international food magazine TasteAtlas.
Pieces of coconut candy mixed with roasted peanuts. Photo by Mr. True |
Originating from Ben Tre Province, coconut candy is known for its soft, chewy texture and rich coconut flavor.
It is made from grated coconut flesh, coconut milk, coconut cream, sugar, and often malt syrup. The mixture is cooked until thickened, then molded, cooled, and cut into rectangles. Each piece is wrapped in edible rice paper to prevent sticking.
Modern variations include flavors such as roasted peanuts, pandan, and durian.
In the broader list of TasteAtlas’s 100 best confectionery types in the world, Vietnam’s coconut candy secured 33rd place.
In second place on the Asian list is matcha chocolate from Japan. This confection blends white chocolate with ground matcha green tea powder.
Completing the top three is Jeonggwa from Korea, a confection made from fruits, seeds, or roots soaked in syrup and dried for a crisp, chewy texture. Popular varieties include ginger, lotus root, and ginseng.