When mentioning Ha Tinh, people immediately think of sweet cu do candy.
Cu Do candy becomes a gift for Ha Tinh people when they are away from home. Photo: Anh Phan
As if it had become a habit, when mentioning Ha Tinh, people immediately think of sweet cu do candy mixed with a bit of spicy ginger and a bowl of green tea, leaving an unmistakable aftertaste.
Cu Do candy was made by Mr. Cu Hai (Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province) during the French colonial period, so it was called Cu Hai candy. Later, for many reasons, people gradually got used to calling it Cu Do candy (including the reason for calling it in French: deux is two). Although it originated from Huong Son district, currently, the center of Cu Do candy production is located in Ha Tinh city, and one of the most famous establishments is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Thu - Vien.
Ms. Dang Thi Huong, owner of Mr. and Mrs. Thu - Vien's establishment, shared that her family started making cu do candy in 1980. At that time, the family mainly made it to eat and sell to neighbors. Because many people liked it and asked to buy it, the family decided to make more to sell.
"After nearly 45 years, 3 generations of the family have continued to preserve and develop the profession of making cu do candy. People often call my family's establishment "Cu do candy of Mr. and Mrs. Thu - Vien 2 truncated coconut trees". At that time, in front of my house there were 2 truncated coconut trees. That old name is also deeply imprinted in the minds of many people" - Mrs. Huong recalled.
Making cu do candy requires many ingredients and steps, each facility has its own recipe. With the cu do brand of Mr. and Mrs. Thu - Vien, it has always been the same. The ingredients include peanuts and molasses from Nghia Dan district, Nghe An province; rice paper and ginger from Can Loc district, Ha Tinh province. Depending on the sweetness of the molasses, to ensure the right taste of traditional cu do candy, sometimes the grandparents have to add sugar or malt.
According to Ms. Huong, her facility makes and sells about 3,000 candies a day, and the number will be even higher during Tet. "Ha Tinh people consider cu do candy as the soul of their homeland. People who work far away from home, every time they return home, they must bring a few bags of cu do candy as gifts. Therefore, every Tet, the family has to make more than usual to meet people's needs," Ms. Huong said.
In the chilly spring weather, mixed with the joyful and exciting atmosphere of a new year, eating a piece of cu do candy, sipping a sip of green tea, we cannot distinguish how many ingredients are in it. It could be the combination of the sweet taste of molasses on the tip of the tongue, the spicy taste of ginger and the nutty taste of peanuts, making us forever remember it.
It can be affirmed that whenever Ha Tinh is mentioned, we must mention cu do candy.
Cu Do candy has a rough and simple appearance, a rustic name, but inside is a hidden potential like the people of this land. Is that why the people here always say "No matter where you go, you will always remember Ha Tinh!".
Currently, in Ha Tinh City, in addition to the Cu Do brand of Mr. and Mrs. Thu - Vien, there are more than 100 families specializing in producing Cu Do candy. Each candy costs from 5,000 to 10,000 VND, depending on the size.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/di-mo-roi-cung-nho-ve-ha-tinh-196250124135619539.htm
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