candied soursop

Top 10 Candied Fruits for Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Mut Tet)

Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or Tết, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. During this time, families come together to celebrate, and many traditional foods and sweets are prepared to welcome a happy new year. Among these, Mứt Tết (candied) holds a special place not only on the table of each family, but also at heart. Let’s discover the top 10 Vietnamese candied fruits that make Lunar New Year celebration sweet and colorful.

When I was little, my mom always made at least 3 different candied fruits. It could be candied coconut ribbons, candied gooseberry, candied ginger, or candied wintermelon and so on. Although there are various special types of candied fruits in each region of Vietnam depend on the availability of those fruits, some of them become the “national” Mut Tet – which are popular, delicious, and affordable. Here’s the top 10 Vietnamese candied fruits for Luna New Year:

1. Candied Coconut Ribbons (Mứt Dừa)

candied coconut ribbons

Candied coconut ribbons are made from fresh coconut meat, cut into thin strips or slices, and cooked with sugar until they are almost dried. Sometimes, natural colors like pandan (green), beetroot (red), or turmeric (yellow) are added to make them more festive. They are light and fragrant, perfect for snacking during Tết.

There are 2 common variants of mut dua, one made from mature coconut (mut dua gia) and another from young coconut ribbons (mut dua non). Mature coconuts have thick and firm flesh, while young coconuts have thinner and softer flesh, leading to the difference between two variants. Depending on your preference, you can choose either mature coconut candy or young coconut.

2. Candied Orange Peel (Mứt Vỏ Cam)

candied orange peel

Candied orange peel is a delicious treat made by cooking orange peels with sugar. The slight bitterness of the peel combined with the sweetness of sugar creates a unique flavor that is both refreshing and satisfying.

Candied orange peel is very popular during Tết because its mild bitterness and the distinctive aroma of oranges help balance the sweetness of sugar. Additionally, thanks to the medicinal properties of orange peel, this treat can also support health during the festive season.

3. Candied Mandarin Peel (Mứt Vỏ Quýt – Trần Bì)

candied mandarin peel

Like candied orange peel, candied mandarin peel is sweet and tangy with a hint of bitterness. It is a great way to enjoy the natural aroma and flavor of mandarins while reducing waste.

In traditional medicine, mandarin peel is considered a valuable remedy in Eastern medicine. Many believe it also helps with digestion after heavy Tết meals. You can enjoy candied mandarin peel with a cup of hot tea for a unique and pleasant experience, especially during Tết.

4. Candied Pomelo Peel (Mứt Vỏ Bưởi)

candied pomelo peel

Pomelo peel is thicker than other citrus peels, giving candied pomelo peel a chewy texture. There are three main types of candied pomelo: candied pomelo peel, candied pomelo peel with pith, and candied pomelo pith. Among these, the most popular is candied pomelo peel with pith, which combines the chewy texture of the pith with the slight bitterness and distinctive fragrance of pomelo peel. It is often flavored with a touch of ginger to make it warm and comforting. This treat is perfect with a cup of tea.

5. Candied Lotus Seed (Mứt Hạt Sen)

lotus seed candy

Candied lotus seeds (Vietnamese: Mứt hạt sen, Chinese: 糖莲子) are a sweet treat made from lotus seeds, which are the seeds of the lotus flower (Nelumbo nucifera). This treat is a specialty for Lunar New Year in Vietnam and Southern China, such as Guangdong and Hong Kong.

To make candied lotus seeds, the seeds are boiled, marinated with sugar, then cooked until dry. They have a soft, starchy texture with distinct flavor that’s loved by many people. It’s also perfect for tea time!

6. Candied Carrot (Mứt Cà Rốt)

candied carrot roses

Candied carrot is a bright orange treat made by slicing carrots into sticks or ribbons, blanching them, and cooking them with sugar. Carrots differ from other types of fruits as they can be sliced into thin, long juliennes, and they are soft and flexible enough to shape. For example, we can create beautiful roses from candied carrots. The result is a sweet and slightly crunchy snack that adds color to the lucky box served during Tet.

7. Candied Ginger (Mứt Gừng)

candied fruits ginger
Source: Slow Travel Hue

Ginger is believed to help warm the body and aid digestion, especially during Tet holiday in early spring. That’s why candied ginger becomes a very popular candied fruit for Tet! To make it, thin slices of ginger are blanched and cooked with sugar until they are coated in a sugary crust.

Beside dried candied ginger, there are also wet candied ginger (mứt gừng dẻo), which is softer and stickier. Ginger is cut into thin strips, then is cooked with sugar but not until it is fully dried to achieve a wetter and softer texture.

8. Candied Winter melon (Mứt Bí)

candied fruits - candied winter melon

Candied winter melon (wax gourd) is another popular treat for its refreshing sweetness. The winter melon is cut into sticks, then soaked in lime water to keep its texture firm, and cooked with sugar until sugar crystalizes and coat around each winter melon sticks. When eating, you can feel the unique soft and crunchy texture of winter melon. Candied winter melon is not only popular in Vietnam but also in China.

9. Candied Tamarind (Mứt Me)

candied tamarind

Candied tamarind combines sweetness from sugar and tangy flavors from tamarind. Tamarind pulp is mixed with sugar, cooked until thicken, and finally rolled in additional sugar and chili flake to make it less sticky. The tanginess of tamarind contributes one more special flavor to the lucky box of Luna New Year. This treat is a favorite for those who enjoy tangy snacks.

10. Soursop Candy (Mứt Mãng Cầu)

candied soursop

Made from soursop fruit, this candy is soft, chewy, and has a unique blend of sweetness and tartness. Because soursop has very soft texture, it is often shaped into small candies wrapped in clear wrappers. That make it different from other harder candied fruits.

11. Candied Gooseberry (Mứt Chùm Ruột)

Source: Dan Viet

Gooseberry is a small, round fruit that grows on a bush that has a tart flavor. It can range in size from 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter and is often green or yellow. Because it’s a common plant in Vietnam especially in the Middle and the South of the country, candied gooseberry became a common treat for Tet with the tartness, sweetness, and crunchiness altogether. Gooseberries are cooked with sugar until they turn to a burgundy red color, become soft and glossy.

Mut Tet is not only delicious but also an important part of Vietnamese culture. Each sweet carries a unique flavor, texture, and meaning, making the Lunar New Year celebration even more special. Preparing and sharing these treats is a way to bring families together and share good wishes for the new year. What’s your favorite Mut Tet?

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