It cannot be denied that 'Com' or 'green sticky rice' has been recognized as a national trademark and is one of Hanoi’s best specialties.

The profession of making Com in Me Tri village can trace its history back to over a century. The craft has been added to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s list of national intangible cultural heritages in 2019.

Com or green sticky rice is a specialty in Hanoi. Photo: vietnamtimes.

This area is divided into two villages namely Thuong village and Ha village, where many families are still involved in making green sticky rice.

The steps to make green sticky rice are quite complicated with the raw material for making it is premature rice. Com is made from different types of paddy, but the most delicious one is yellow flowery paddy, which is the traditional and popular glutinous rice of the lowland and midland provinces of northern Vietnam.

After the best quality rice is chosen, it is a painstaking work to produce the specialty. They are roasted for about 1.5-2 hours and well cooked rice provides a unique aroma. After the husk is removed from the grains, they will be ground manually using mortars. The remaining bran is still removed about 3 times.

Com or green sticky rice is a specialty in Hanoi. Photo: tienphong.

Com or green sticky rice is a specialty in Hanoi. Photo: tienphong.

Mr. Huu Sy, the owner of a production facility in Me Tri, shared: "In order to make delicious and fragrant Com, we must choose the yellow flowery paddy as the main raw material. It it is necessary to adjust the fire when roasting so that the rice is both beautiful and not raw, not broken. The rice must be supple and tough enough.

Com has long been a rustic dish of Hanoi people. It makes a symbolic characteristic for Hanoi specialties, contributing to multiplying the cultural picture of the capital city.

In the past, Me Tri villagers only made Com in autumn, which was known as the harvest season. Now they use machines in many steps of the process to save time, increase productivity, and preserve the typical flavor. Therefore, Com can be made all year round, making it a specialty from the capital city.

Com or green sticky rice is a specialty in Hanoi. Photo: tienphong.

Com or green sticky rice is a specialty in Hanoi. Photo: tienphong.

Com or green sticky rice is a specialty in Hanoi. Photo: tienphong.

Com is normally eaten by hand, a pinch at a time, or served with red persimmons and ripe bananas. Chewing Com slowly is the good way to enjoy its scents and softness. It is noted that Com should be eaten within 24 hours or its original taste will be lost.

Com or green sticky rice is a specialty in Hanoi. Photo: tienphong.

Com or green sticky rice is a specialty in Hanoi. Photo: tienphong.

In addition, Com is used to make many other Vietnamese specialties to relieve people’s craving in other months. For example, Com xao (stir-fried green rice), Com rang (puffy green rice that resembles rice krispie), Banh com (green rice cake- a must for Vietnamese engagement ceremonies), Kem Com (ice-cream with Com flavor) and Che com (sweetened green rice paste) are the most popular dishes.

Green sticky rice in Me Tri Village. Photo: tienphong.

Photo: halotravel.com

The green sticky rice is need to be carefully preserved, avoiding dry weather to keep the plasticity and fragrance. Com's flavor is usually preserved by wrapping the rice in lotus leaves and using straw to tie up the packet. Lotus leaves and green sticky rice have always been a harmonious combination because of the lotus leaves' purity.

Currently, finished products are stored and sold all year round thanks to the use of freezers.

Com is both popular and luxurious. Visitors to Hanoi often buy packages of green sticky rice flakes as gifts. It is a symbol of Thang Long-Hanoi gastronomy often mentioned in Vietnamese literature and poetry and an enduring source of pride for Me Tri's villagers, who will continue to preserve the traditional work.

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