Grass Jelly Drink

Grass Jelly Drink in a can

Grass jelly is made by boiling the aged and slightly fermented grass or leaves of the mint family (specifically Mesona chinensis) with potassium carbonate, and then cooling the liquid to a jelly-like consistency. The jelly is mixed with syrup to produce a drink thought to have cooling (yin) properties. It has a slight iodine flavour and looks like a clear, deep brown liquid with strands or cubes of translucent blackish jelly in it.

In Vietnam, grass jelly is called sương sáo. Grass jelly drinks are very popular amongst Vietnamese women; they are believed to enhance fertility