This is an easy-to-follow how-to guide to make grass jelly from pre-packaged bags. Grass jelly is simple and easy but can be tricky. So if you've been having problems, you're in the right spot!
Grass jelly is a delicious childhood favorite and one of my top desserts! I love to eat it with some sugar or add it to my artichoke tea, winter melon tea, matcha latte, and even Vietnamese coffee (ca phe sua da).
Growing up my first encounter with grass jelly was seeing my mom pour it out of a can. My mind was blown. First of all, my mom did not like us eating jello and here she is plopping out black jelly out of a CAN for dessert?! Even though I was confused I still ate it. She knew what she was doing. That was the beginning of a love for grass jelly. We were going through the cans pretty fast, so we started making it from pre-packaged packets because it was cheaper and we could make more.
I've always wondered where grass jelly *really* comes from... a can? As it turns out grass jelly originated from China. When people left China through the Chinese diaspora, particularly when the Hakka people left China they brought along with them their beloved grass jelly plant and grew it where they found a new home.
From then on, the grass jelly plant spread throughout southeast Asia where it's been loved and enjoyed. As Asian people have spread throughout the globe, their love for grass jelly has never died and has been imported worldwide. With the popularity of boba tea, it has increased its reach and become more mainstream.
Also, it is important to note that there are green grass jelly and black grass jelly. Both come from different plants but have the same cooling effect. The green grass jelly in Vietnamese is known as sương sâm and the black grass jelly is known in Vietnamese as sương sáo. The green grass jelly plant is a relatively easy plant to grow. Many gardeners have also cultivated this plant in their backyards and have been able to enjoy backyard-to-table freshness with this plant.
You can get your grass jelly many ways but I find that making it from pre-packaged ingredients is the most convenient and can be enjoyed all year long. When I first made grass jelly from the powder I had some trouble but after making it so many times here are some tricks to help you out!
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❤️Why this how-to works
- This method is tried and true and this post includes how-to images for you to easily follow.
🥄Equipment and tools
- A good mixing spoon! I recommend using a metal whisk or metal-slotted hot-pot spoon. The metal spoon works best for me but use what you have.
- A small pot of about 2.5 quarts or similar.
- Baking dishes or silicon molds you want your jelly to set in. (optional)
🛒Recipe Ingredients
Ever wonder what's in these pre-packaged bags?
- Grass jelly powder - There are 2 main brands that I've worked with and found at the Vietnamese grocery store a white packet, the TP brand which I am using in this tutorial the 3k Producing Brand which is a yellow packet. I use whichever one is available and whichever one is cheaper. The main difference between the two is the 3k Producing (yellow packet) contains sugar while the TP brand (white packet) does not.
- Banana flavoring - Both brands use banana flavoring to mask the strong herbal jelly scent. This is optional to add but I add it because I like the smell of it.
See the how-to card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
↔Subsitutions and variations
- Add your own choice of sweetener to the jelly.
👩🏫 How to Make Grass Jelly from the Package
Step 1: Tear open the grass jelly package and add the powder to a pot or bowl. I like cleaning fewer dishes so I use a pot.
Step 2: Add water to the pot.
Step 3: Use a metal slotted spoon or metal whisk to stir the powder until it is fully dissolved in the water. The powder will clump up so be sure to stir it well. Using a metal slotted spoon or whisk break down the clumps.
Step 4: Continue to mix until all the powder is dissolved. You can check by pulling up your spoon. If there are still clumps keep mixing. It should look like this picture when the mixture is dissolved.
Step 5: Put the pot on the stove and turn the heat up to high. Add sugar and flavoring during this step and start mixing it in.
Step 6: As the liquid starts to heat the liquid will become thicker. As the liquid boils continue to stir the jelly until it thickens and has a smooth consistency. If it is still grainy keep cooking and mixing the grass jelly liquid.
Step 7: When the liquid is now smooth and thick, turn off the heat. Immediately pour the grass jelly into your desired molds. I'm using silicon ice molds to make my grass jelly look like huge boba balls. PRO TIP: If you're not using any molds just leave it in the pot and let it set. Makes for less cleanup.
Step 8: Grass jelly will solidify at room temperature and does not need to be refrigerated but for best results keep it in the fridge overnight.
Step 9: Remove the jelly from the molds or if you used a different mold cut the jelly into desired pieces and serve it as a dessert or pair it with your favorite drink.
Expert Tips
- Pre-mix the grass jelly powder before cooking it.
- For the best prices buy at your local Vietnamese/Asian grocery store.
- Put in fridge to solidify overnight.
- To clean pots and molds easily, wait until the jelly has completely solidified. Once solid, you can peel the jelly right off using a spatula. If there's still jelly remaining, run water over it and use soap and some elbow grease to scrub it off.
Wait until the grass jelly has dried completely before cleaning it.
Use a plastic spatula to scrape it off.
🙋♀️Recipes FAQ
In Vietnamese grass jelly is called sương sáo or sương sâm when referring to black grass jelly or green grass jelly. Here is a list of what grass jelly is called in different languages:
Chinese (Mandarin): 仙草 (xiāncǎo)
Chinese (Cantonese): 涼粉 (leung fun)
Indonesian/Malay: Cincau
Thai: เฉาก๊วย (chao kuay)
Filipino (Tagalog): Gulaman
There are many benefits you can read about grass jelly online but here are some grass jelly provides for me. Grass jelly is made from the leaves and stalks of the Mesona chinesis plant. Grass jelly being a plant that contains fiber helps aid in digestion and grass jelly helps cool me down when it is hot outside.
❄️Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Cover and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Did you try this guide?
Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @teerangathome on Instagram!
📖How-to-Guide
Equipment
- 1 metal whisk or metal slotted spoon for hot pot
- 1 silicon molds (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 package grass jelly powder
- 8 cups water
Instructions
- Pour grass jelly powder into a pot. Add 8 cups of water.
- Use a metal slotted hot pot spoon or whisk and thoroughly mix the powder into the water until it is all dissolved. Break up clumps with spoon and continue to mix.
- Put pot on stove and turn on stove tothe high. If you want to add sweetness and flavoring, add it now. Stir in the sugar and flavoring until dissolved.
- As the liquid starts to heat up the liquid will thicken. Continue to mix with the spoon until the liquid is no longer grainy. Mix until the jelly is a smooth consistency. Turn down the heat if it starts to boil too quickly.
- When smooth turn off the heat and take the pot off the stove. Pour into desired molds and let the jelly set. Best if refrigerated overnight.
- When it is cool and has solidified cut into desired shapes and serve!
Notes
- If you use more than 8 cups, the grass jelly will not solidify properly and will become watery. Be careful not to go over.
- Mix the liquid and powder well to dissolve it before heating.
Maryann Precour
Can you replace water with juice
Trang Vo
Hi Maryann! I've never used juice before! The next time I make this I'll try using some juice and get back to you!