Although it’s a humble local snack, when you visit Nha Trang, you should definitely bring back some đác seeds as gifts, because once someone tastes them, they are sure to fall in love.
Đác is a type of palm tree, growing in the deep mountain forests of the South Central provinces, including Khánh Hòa. The đác fruit is small, shaped like a young coconut, and grows in clusters, hanging in long bunches.
Đác trees typically grow in forests
To harvest these seeds, people have to enter the forest, cut down the entire tree, and bring it back. After harvesting, the outer shell is burned to prevent the tree’s resin from sticking to the skin and causing itchiness. Finally, the shell is peeled off to retrieve the seeds. Đác seeds are clear white, smooth, and resemble betel nuts. They are crunchy, rich, sweet, and refreshing when eaten. The peak season for đác seeds is from the fourth to the eighth month of the lunar calendar. After that period, while the seeds are still sporadically harvested, they become rarer and more expensive.
The process of extracting đác seeds is quite labor-intensive.
Benefits of Đác Seeds
In the past, đác seeds were cheap and not widely favored. However, nowadays, they have become a delicacy, partly because people have become more discerning in their tastes, and also because of a greater appreciation for their numerous health benefits.
Delicious and nutritious, đác seeds are highly sought after
These seeds are benign, low in calories and fat, but rich in vitamins and minerals. They are packed with iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. As a result, they offer multiple health benefits, such as preventing osteoporosis, regulating blood pressure, and aiding digestion. Moreover, they are particularly favored by women for their effectiveness in maintaining a good figure and improving skin health
How to Consume Đác Seeds
The most common way to prepare đác seeds is to glaze them with sugar, honey, or pineapple (known as “thơm” in Vietnamese). After glazing, they can be stored in the refrigerator for gradual consumption. Additionally, they can be incorporated into dishes like đác seed yogurt or đác seed dessert soup.
Đác seeds can be glazed with sugar/honey
Or glazed with pineapple, both methods produce delicious results.
Where to Buy Đác Seeds?
When visiting Nha Trang, you can find many places selling đác seeds. However, to purchase delicious, soft, not hard or chewy đác seeds, you should seek reputable stores.
Buy đác seeds at Ngọc Linh specialty store in Nha Trang, and you can be assured of their quality
One recommended address is Ngọc Linh specialty store. As a long-standing and trusted provider of Nha Trang’s specialties, buying đác seeds from this store assures you of their quality as well as food safety and hygiene.