Buzz
As Tet approaches, the demand for gifts and presents for the Lunar New Year increases. Among them, Da Lat specialties during Tet are favored for their uniqueness, diversity, and delightful flavors at very affordable prices. So what are the most popular Da Lat specialties during Tet?
Strawberry preserves
When in Da Lat, most tourists are fascinated by the strawberry fields laden with ripe berries. In the foggy city, these two characteristic fruits of the temperate region are considered difficult to grow in Vietnam. Therefore, strawberries and raspberries, or products made from these juicy fruits, are always the top choice for tourists visiting Da Lat to purchase as gifts.
Therefore, the Da Lat specialties for Tet that you should consider first are probably strawberry preserves, raspberry preserves, strawberry wine, and raspberry wine.
Strawberry preserves also come in various forms. You can choose jelly-like products to accompany bread, candy, or dried strawberries and raspberries.
Da Lat strawberry preserves have a delicious sweet and sour taste. Photo: Internet
When eating strawberry preserves, everyone is sure to be captivated by the sweet and sour taste, and the natural aroma. Instead of traditional sweet preserves like coconut, mango, or jackfruit, Da Lat strawberry preserves – a famous specialty – will bring a wonderful sweet and sour taste.
Blue tomatoes
During the first days of the year, according to Vietnamese customs, relatives or friends who visit your home often bring gifts with vibrant colors, especially red symbolizing luck and prosperity for the homeowner.
Therefore, there is nothing more suitable than choosing blue tomatoes, a beautiful specialty of Da Lat, as a Tet gift for relatives and family. This type of tomato is very small in size, so it can be processed into various types of preserves. Blue tomato preserves in Da Lat are made by hand, so they have a very refreshing taste, not overly sweet, and the natural aroma is preserved without adding any artificial flavoring.
Blue tomato preserves, a Da Lat specialty that wins the hearts of tourists. Photo: Internet
Dried rose apples, crispy and flavorful
When it comes to Da Lat, one cannot overlook a fruit with a rich sweet taste, a soft and chewy texture, and a pleasant aroma like red rose apples. From around September, October to the end of November, crispy or dried rose apples hung to dry are considered the quintessential specialties of Da Lat that must be enjoyed.
During Tet, ripe and bright red rose apples with a delicious aroma will undoubtedly be the perfect gift.
Since Tet is about 2 - 3 months away from the rose apple season, the best choice is still dried or naturally dried products. Rose apples during Tet usually have a less sweet taste, mostly being pressed or late-ripening fruits, not as tasty as those from around September to November.
Dried rose apples from Da Lat have a long shape, a sweet and soft taste. Photo: Internet
Artichoke flowers
In recent years, the trend of giving gifts for health care, pure and natural, has been very popular and become common in our country. Among them, giving Tet gifts with herbs, precious tonics is considered a wonderful gift for elderly relatives in the family.
Among the various specialties of Da Lat suitable for health, artichoke is the first candidate mentioned. With the ability to cool the body, enhance detoxification, reduce stress, boost immunity, and support the treatment of diseases such as sore throat, cough... this plant is extremely good for health.
For women, drinking artichoke water also brings anti-inflammatory effects, nourishes the skin from deep within, treats acne effectively, and facilitates weight loss.
Artichoke flower tea is the Da Lat specialty that's perfect for Tet gifts.
Various dried fruits
In addition to preserves made from typical fruits, Da Lat also offers a variety of other dried fruits for people to freely choose. When buying Da Lat specialties for Tet, you can choose from various dried fruits such as sweet potatoes, jackfruit, bananas, taro, and green beans...
When it comes to Da Lat specialties for Tet gifts, most people will immediately think of various dried fruits and dried vegetables, which are both delicious and good for health.
Dried fruits along with tea are served to guests during Tet. Photo: Internet
Dalat wine
When it comes to Tet gifts, wine is considered a luxurious choice because to buy good wine means you have to choose a slightly expensive type. However, the emergence of some brands of Da Lat strawberry wine has helped Vietnamese people relieve their concerns about price while the taste remains delicious and rich.
Therefore, a bottle of Dalat wine would be a highly esteemed specialty to gift to friends and family during Tet. Additionally, you can also purchase them to entertain relatives who visit your home during the New Year.
Dalat wine has a rich and enticing aroma. Photo: Internet
How to buy authentic Da Lat specialties for Tet?
Understanding the demand for buying authentic Da Lat specialties for Tet such as preserves, dried fruits and vegetables, wine, or fermented fruit juice from consumers, many establishments have produced counterfeit and low-quality products to bring to the market.
To avoid purchasing counterfeit Da Lat specialties that may affect your health, remember the following tips:
- Only buy products from sources with verified origins, carefully packaged with barcode for information checking.
- Choose to purchase from authentic, reputable, and well-known Da Lat specialty companies and distributors.
- If possible, visit Da Lat directly to purchase authentic specialties from there.
- Order Da Lat specialties for Tet from reputable company websites.
- Avoid buying goods from street vendors or markets as most of these products contain preservatives and lack specific expiration dates.
Da Lat specialties during Tet are diverse and abundant. Photo: Internet
Some types of Da Lat specialties to avoid during Tet
In Vietnam, there are many customs observed on the first day of the year, especially regarding Tet gift-giving. To avoid causing offense and negative feelings, it's best to avoid the following specialties when purchasing Da Lat specialties for Tet gifts:
- Coffee: Despite the delightful aroma of coffee from provinces like Da Lat and Dak Lak, its dark color is not suitable for Tet gifts. Vietnamese people avoid black and white-colored items on the first day of the lunar new year due to superstitious beliefs.
- Cashew nuts: Although cashew nuts are beloved for their rich flavor and health benefits, some associate the term 'điều' (cashew) with 'điều hiu' (depression), implying stagnation or sadness. Hence, it's best to limit including cashew nuts in Tet gift baskets.
Moreover, the timing of Tet gift-giving is crucial. Most Vietnamese people send gifts before the 30th day of the lunar calendar month. Bringing food to someone's house on the first day of the new year is considered unlucky, symbolizing poverty and scarcity.
Da Lat specialties during Tet are highly sought after for their delightful aroma, reasonable prices, and easy availability. These unique dishes from the city of thousands of flowers will bring families a unique, fresh, and vibrant Tet feast.
