(TITC) – Every autumn, as the air turns crisp, Hanoians and travelers alike eagerly await the taste of cốm (young green rice) – the signature gift of Hanoi’s fall. More than just a dish, cốm embodies cultural refinement, carrying with it the nostalgia of childhood and the elegance of Trang An people.
Hanoi’s cốm season is fleeting, lasting only from late September to early November, when the sticky rice fields ripen. In this short window, villagers on the outskirts of Hanoi – especially Vòng Village, famed for its cốm-making tradition – begin harvesting tender young rice.
Crafting a truly delicious batch of cốm is a meticulous process, requiring both patience and skill. Only the finest grains of young sticky rice are selected – round, plump, and harvested just as they begin to release their milky sweetness. After being dried under the morning dew, the rice is gently milled in wooden mortars to remove the husks without crushing the kernels.
The grains are then roasted in clay pans over low heat, a delicate process that preserves their softness and natural jade-green color. Once the rice releases its fragrant aroma, it is pounded in stone mortars – a technique that demands years of experience. The pounding must be firm yet careful, ensuring the grains remain tender and intact, carrying the subtle, gentle flavor of young sticky rice.
In the past, Hanoians enjoyed cốm with ripe bananas, a simple yet refined pairing where the sweetness of the fruit harmonized with the delicate taste of the rice. Wrapped in layers of fresh lotus leaves, cốm absorbs a light floral fragrance, elevating it into an even purer, more enchanting delicacy.
From these tender green grains, many renowned treats have been created: cốm sausages (chả cốm), cốm cakes (bánh cốm), cốm sweet soup (chè cốm), and cốm sticky rice (xôi cốm). Each dish showcases the versatility and charm of Hanoi’s autumn specialty. Cốm sticky rice blends the fragrance of young rice with the richness of coconut oil, while bánh cốm unites the delicate aroma of rice with the sweetness of mung beans, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste. Chả cốm, meanwhile, has become a culinary icon of Hanoi, combining the nuttiness of green rice with seasoned minced pork to create a dish loved by locals and visitors alike.
Today, amid the hustle of modern life, cốm retains its timeless allure. For visitors, tasting and bringing home a parcel of cốm is like carrying a piece of Hanoi’s autumn soul. For Hanoians, cốm is more than a seasonal treat – it is memory, pride, and a symbol of the elegance and sophistication that define the thousand-year-old capital.
| Mễ Trì Cốm Village is famous destination for both domestic and international visitors to learn cốm. A trip here offers a variety of unique experiences: Explore traditional workshops: Witness the meticulous steps of cốm-making, from selecting young rice to roasting and pounding. The villagers are warm and welcoming, often sharing their knowledge and secrets of creating the perfect batch of cốm. Taste fresh cốm on site: Fresh cốm in the village is a delicate jade green, soft and fragrant, carrying the sweetness of new sticky rice and the gentle scent of lotus leaves – an unforgettable flavor of Hanoi’s autumn. Discover local specialties: Beyond fresh cốm, the village is home to many delicious treats such as cốm sausage (chả cốm), cốm sticky rice (xôi cốm), and cốm cakes (bánh cốm). These make thoughtful and meaningful gifts for family and friends. Join traditional festivals: Mễ Trì Cốm Village regularly hosts cultural events such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Cold Food Festival. These occasions allow visitors to enjoy the festive atmosphere, take part in folk games, and immerse themselves in local traditions. Combine with nearby attractions: Located in an area surrounded by beautiful landscapes, Mễ Trì Cốm Village is perfect for combining a craft village visit with trips to other nearby tourist sites. |
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