Vietnamese Grass Jelly Dessert

When I was around twelve or thirteen, entering my hormonal teenage years, my mom would tell me to drink this in order to feel “mát” or “cool.” It’s believed that grass jelly, made from a plant in the mint family called Mesona chinensis, can help reduce heat and inflammation in the body, aiding in matters of the stomach. Though grass jelly comes in a shiny black variety, we also add a firmer white version for added texture. Some people make this dish with only milk and sugar, but we a