(QNO) - Hoi An is famous for its typical foods and drinks. Xiu-ma (black sesame sweet soup) is one of the foods that shows the soul of Hoi An - an ancient trading port.
Being considered as part of Hoi An soul, Xiu-ma is associated with a man named Ngo Thieu.
In June 2019, a tourist site was jointly set up by Hoi An authority and Mr. Thieu’s family in order to preserve the traditional craft and introduce Xiu-ma to the public.
Going to the home at 45/17 Tran Hung Dao (Hoi An city), visitors will have a chance to know how to cook Xiu-ma and enjoy it.
Currently, Ngo Thi Thi- Thieu’s daughter takes over his 70-year-old Xiu-ma craft.
In spite of his age, Mr. Thieu gets up very early to cook Xiu-ma every day.
Xiu-ma is made from black sesame to an heirloom recipe. In particular, Mr. Thieu uses water from Ba Le well to cook xi-ma; so, it has its own flavour and seems to be more delicious than xi-ma in other places.
As a specialty of Hoi An, xiu-ma is believed as a medicinal food that is effective in helping prevent digestive diseases and sunstroke, and fortify the body.
Xiu-ma is reported to follow the Chinese to Hoi An in the early 20th centrury.
The main ingredients of Xiu-ma are black sesame, starch, pennywort, stink vine, sweet leaf, rehmannia glutinosa libosch, sugar, and some other traditional herbs.
