The process of making 'khao' cake is meticulous

Nguyen Thi Thuy in Dong Thinh Hamlet, Tu Thinh Commune, Son Duong District preparing the ingredients for making ‘khao’ cake.

Nguyen Thi Thuy in Dong Thinh Hamlet, Tu Thinh Commune, Son Duong District said that, her paternal grandfather is from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh). Once, He brought 'khao' cake as a gift to Thuy and her neighbours when he had a visit in Tuyen Quang. After enjoying, everyone praised this delicious cake. Therefore, she decided to learn the profession of making 'khao' cake from his grandfather.

To have tasty 'khao' cake,  nep cai hoa vang' -  a special sticky rice is grown on her family's fields by her, then popped and ground into flour.

The next step is to boil a syrup made of white sugar and water and then cool it down. The sugar mixture is then blended with glutinous rice flour.

The filling of the cake consists of pork fat, roasted peanuts, and roasted sesame.

The dough is spread in one layer into the mold, then put fillings in the middle, and then a layer of flour is added on top. The cake is pressed within 12 hours. Finally, the cake is cut and sealed for preservation.

Striving to become an OCOP product

Thuy's family sells averagely about 2 tonnes of 'khao' cake every year, equivalent to 3,000-4,000 boxes of cake, with the selling price of VND100,000 VND per kg.

She has cooperative with Son Thuy Agriculture and Forestry Cooperative to sign consumption contract. In early 2021, 'khao' cake of her family was registered for trademark protection and traceability with the name "Banh khao Son Thuy" (Son Thuy 'khao' cake).

Son Thuy 'khao' cake products.

Her family mainly focuses on making 'khao' cake in the last 4 months of the year and whenever there is an order. Because this cake is a handmade product and does not contain preservatives, consumers should use it for 15 days at room temperature or 30 days at refrigerator temperature.

The Secretary of the Party Committee of Tu Thinh Commune Nguyen Ngoc Son said that, Son Thuy 'khao' cake is chosen to develop as an OCOP product of the commune. To accomplish this goal, the Commune People's Committee has instructed Son Thinh Agriculture and Forestry Cooperative to complete the registration of trademark protection and traceability stamp, and make application for OCOP product evaluation in 2021. In addition, the commune has had specific orientations to introduce 'khao' cake to consumers both inside and outside the province.