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When you arrive in Lam Dong – Dalat, be prepared to be amazed by the numerous delicious fruit preserves crafted using traditional recipes. Thanks to the abundance of fruit trees and diverse floral species, the range of preserves is truly diverse. Dalat Preserves boast vibrant, eye-catching colors and just the right level of sweetness. This folk gift is available year-round and carries a unique charm found nowhere else.
Enchanting Rose Petal Preserve
When inquiring about Dalat Preserves, locals will undoubtedly introduce you to this particular delicacy first. In reality, this preserve is made from artichoke flowers, but it's commonly referred to as rose petal preserve due to its vibrant red color and the appearance resembling a rose petal. You may be captivated by these fresh red petals at first glance.
Those who have indulged in this treat will experience the distinctive aroma of artichoke flowers. A bite of this preserve offers the delightful chewiness and crispiness of flower petals. The syrup-soaked petals strike a perfect balance between sweetness and a pleasantly tangy acidity, truly tantalizing the taste buds. Once you've tasted it, you're sure not to be disappointed.
Beyond its lavish and beautiful appearance, the rose (artichoke flower) also holds significant medicinal benefits. In traditional medicine, roses are considered sweet, warm, and are believed to promote blood circulation, regulate menstruation, reduce inflammation, and alleviate swelling. Chinese and many Asian cultures have utilized roses as a healing remedy for generations. Particularly, when combined with Chinese quince, it becomes an effective formula for treating coughs.
And so, the Dalat Rose Preserve, in addition to its delightful fragrance and sweet crunch, also carries medicinal properties that help alleviate coughs, soothe the throat, and clear the voice. Packaged conveniently in boxes, this preserve is easy to trade and transport to various provinces across the country. It stands as a renowned specialty of Dalat, a unique treat that every traveler wishes to bring back as a gift.
Premium Soft Rose Preserve
Besides artichoke flower preserves, rose preserves also claim the title of the most renowned among the city of flowers. It is considered the highest-grade preserve and incredibly delicious among Dalat's specialty preserves. It is a dish that satisfies the cravings of rose enthusiasts, especially during the off-season.
In every season, there are plenty of ripe roses, but to create that fragrant and chewy rose preserve, the best choice is the matured roses harvested during the autumn. According to the experience of orchard owners, the preserve must be made from duck egg-shaped roses (small, resembling chicken eggs) for the authentic sweet and fragrant taste, distinct from other types of roses. The key is to use Vuong Dong roses to ensure both aesthetics and flavor.
The process of making this Dalat Preserve involves intricate and complex stages. The main ingredient is the carefully selected ripe red roses, peeled to remove the outer layer, then dried in a high-temperature oven for a specific duration. The finished product, Dalat's soft rose preserve, features a gentle sweetness with a dry outer layer of sugar, a mild sourness, and the chewiness of the fruit's flesh. With careful savoring, the flavor deepens over time, leaving a lingering impression with the arrival of each autumn.
Soft rose preserves also have numerous health benefits: diuretic, nerve-soothing, enhancing alertness, boosting work efficiency, combating harmful bacteria, preventing heart diseases, kidney stones, and supplementing vitamins A, C. Simultaneously, it contributes to skin beauty. This delicious and health-promoting preserve makes for a sophisticated gift, expressing your sincere respect and affection.
Dalat is considered the paradise for tourism and relaxation in Lam Dong province. With its temperate and cool climate, fertile highland soil, Dalat attracts visitors not only for its scenic beauty but also for the friendly locals. The combination of favorable natural conditions and hospitable people has turned Dalat into a haven for numerous culinary destinations, offering fruits rarely found in a tropical monsoon climate country like Vietnam.
Naturally, the cultivation of fruit trees and the processing of agricultural products have become the livelihood of the people in this 'dreamland.' Among these agricultural products, Dalat preserves, made from various delicious fruits, have become an exquisite gift, a specialty that every traveler to Dalat wishes to taste and purchase as a souvenir.
These are two of the most renowned preserves in Dalat. In the next part of this article, we will introduce you to some other varieties of Dalat preserves.
