Grass Jelly Drink
I’ve been racking my brain trying to think of some things to write about this Grass Jelly Drink, when I realized my feelings for this item are like the item itself—a bit perplexing. The small, soft pieces of grass jelly in the drink are made from Mesona chinensis, an herb. So yeah, it has an herbal taste which actually isn’t that unpleasant, and it also provides a ‘cooling’ effect on the body. Beyond those things, I can’t really tell you why I like this drink, I just do.
A piece of brown grass jelly that got stuck in the mouth of the can after I poured the contents into a glass. It’s best to use a straw for this drink if you want to get at all the little grass jelly pieces.
Pieces of grass jelly that settled at the bottom.
*clunks my self on the head* How could I have never thought of using a straw? I would always just add more water into the can and repeating the process. I like grass jelly. My mom used to buy those black/brown ones in cans and cut it up into squares, and add it to boiling water with sugar. Add ice cubes, put it in the fridge to let it chill. Mmm…
There are all sorts of grass jelly favors though. Very exciting to try them all. There’s green, pink, yellow, almond. (Haha, only the last one is a real flavor.) I don’t remember what the real flavors are for them but I remember liking the yellow and green. The black is a classic though.
Oh! And have you tried that drink that’s like a bunch of seeds? (I just looked it up online. Basil drink!
Oh, and P.S.–I love green onion bread! And potato salad bread. Mmm, asian bakeries.
Lian: Oh, you are too funny about the straw thing. Yeah, I’ve also had the grass jelly that needs to be cut up. I remember having to add a lot of sugar to it, though, because it would otherwise be too bland. No, I haven’t tried the Basil Seed Drink (it’s the green and white can, right? I’ve seen it in stores). I’m actually kind of afraid to try that drink; there’s just something about it. Is it good?
I love all the different pastries in Asian bakeries, too. They have such interesting flavor combinations (besides the ones you mentioned; I haven’t seen Potato Salad Bread before). I also like Custard, Ham and Corn, and Bavarian Cream. I like that the bread itself is light and not overly sweet.
- Cindy
Honestly, I can’t remember what the basil drink was like. I feel like I only had it once. Must have been at least okay. (Haha, not at all reassuring.) A drink that I’ve never tried is Bird’s Nest. I’m just like, *Shudder* thinking about it. Don’t they just take the nests and boil them? With the bird’s spit. (Ew..)
I also love custard!! I love the custard buns. And egg custard cups. Speaking of egg, my mom makes this steamed egg deliciousness that is egg, water, soy sauce, cooking wine, steam for 10/15 min? (depending on how many eggs. Usually she uses like, 5). And it is SOOO good. I love that.
Steamed fish is also very wonderful. With ginger, green onion, and soy sauce.
Lian: I cannot get myself to like Bird’s Nest Soup—I think it’s just a strange, strange thing to consume, and it doesn’t taste particularly good. But custard, yeah, it’s yummy! I love egg custard cups/fresh egg tarts (from Asian bakeries and at dim sum). I don’t think I’d had the steamed egg thing your mom makes, but it sounds good. And I also like fish prepared and garnished the way you mentioned. I’m really craving some Chinese food right now. Like 10 courses, starting with hot soup and ending with dessert soup!
- Cindy
I just wanted to say that I love this site.
Greetings from Tim.
Egg Cooker (Tim): Thanks for the kind words and for visiting!
Tried the bird nest soup last year from like http://www.geocities.jp/hongkong_bird_nest/index_e.htm . Tastes really good… yeah, I thought it was gross at first, but wow, you won’t regret it.