Monday, April 07, 2014

Coconut Candy Factory@Ho Chi Minh City - WW

P1340439
coconut shredding machine

The highlight of our Ho Chi Minh city tour was taking the boat along the Mekong river. The frequent stops on 3 islands allowed us to learn about life on the river and the livelihood of the river dwellers. Interesting to see cottage industries and learn how they are struggling to survive in this modern world.

P1340438

Coconut candy for visitors to taste

P1340441
coconut milk extractor

Arriving on the second island, we visited a coconut processing factory. We were given a free sample of the candy. It is not something I would try the second time as it was too sweet for my liking.

The local guide explained the process of making this sweet coconut candy.

P1340442
cooking coconut candy over a hot stove

Although the factory was housed in an open shed, it was not messy. The machines were kept clean and shiny.

There was a cauldron of coconut candy mixture cooking on the stove.

P1340443
Leaving the candy to cool off

On a long table, some candy had been left to cool. What upset me was seeing the number of itchy-hand visitors who poked or touched the cooked candy. I wanted to vomit out the piece of candy I ate.

P1340446
local workers hand wrapping coconut candy

After the tour, many tourists picked up interesting sweet treats of  coconut candy at a corner of the factory.

P1340449
coconut products for sale

We spent about half an hour at this place before being herded off to another venue behind the factory.

20 comments:

  1. Yucks! Everyone touched the candy and you ate it? Haha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't know that it was contaminated. A worker distributed the candy samples to every visitor at the front entrance. It's only inside the "factory" that we can see the production.

      Delete
  2. So you didn't buy any of the coconut candies home? :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wonder if I stopped at this very same place last year. I was fascinated by the visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's fascinating to see the production of their local sweets

      Delete
  4. I can imagine that, being touched by one and all.
    Otherwise a great tour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The factory workers should have erected a barrier around the table where the cooked candy was cooling off. Anyway, visitors should have the common sense that they are not supposed to poke or touched the cooked food with bare hands.

      Delete
  5. Hmm.... great experience but I am not really a huge fan of coconut candies though

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too. My hubby loves everything that has coconut in it. :)

      Delete
  6. Looks fascinating, but after your warning, I think I'll pass on tasting the candy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Food safety is vital for consumer confidence, hope the factory owner or workers would take note.

      Delete
  7. looks like an interesting place. I would like to try that candy, but would like a more sanitary process.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Overall the factory is clean and organised, they didn't stop visitors from touching the candy which was left on the table to cool.

      Delete