Vietnamese Grass Jelly and Milk Dessert (Sửa Sương Sáo)

Grass jelly, or Suong Sao, is a black gelatin that begins with boiling the leaves and stalks of the Chinese mesona plant then gelatinized with starch. The jelly is cut into cubes for use in many desserts and drinks in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

There are two kinds of grass jelly in the states: canned grass jelly and powdered grass jelly. Both can be found at your local Asian store. The canned jelly is ready to go. Open the can and slide the jelly out like canned cranberry. Cut into cubes and use them in a dessert recipe. The canned version is mostly tasteless with a slight hint of herbal bitterness. Some canned grass jelly have banana flavoring, something I don’t like. If available, I always opt for the plain version.

The powdered jelly requires cooking. The advantage of powdered jelly is that you can add sweetness and adjust the firmness by adding more water. I always add 50% more water than the package instructions for a smoother and softer texture. Like the canned version, some grass jelly powder has a tube of banana flavoring that you can add if preferred. When using powdered grass jelly, it’s important to constantly stir the mixture when bringing it to a boil to prevent clumping. Once the mixture comes to a slight boil, pour it into a tray to set. Immediately place saran wrap directly on the mixture to prevent the top from forming a skin.

Whether you use canned or grass jelly powder, my go-to grass jelly dessert / drink is Sua Suong Sao. It is an iced drink of grass jelly and milk, sweetened with simple syrup. It’s a quick and refreshing treat for a warm and sunny day. Recipe below. Enjoy!

Vietnamese Grass Jelly and Milk Dessert (Sửa Sương Sáo)

Vietnamese Grass Jelly and Milk Dessert (Sửa Sương Sáo)

Vietnamese Grass Jelly and Milk Dessert (Sua Suong Sao)

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cubed grass jelly
• 2-3 tablespoons simple brown sugar syrup (equal part water and brown sugar; bring to a boil)
• 1/2 cup ice cubes
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

1. In a tall glass, add grass jelly and desired amount of simple syrup. I like mine on the sweeter of 3 tablespoons.
2. Add ice cubes and top with milk. Serve immediately.