Fragrant honey cake of Dao Xa: A sacred offering and culinary tradition

When the festival drums begin to resound in Dao Xa, Thanh Thuy District, the entire neighborhood comes alive with the bustling preparations for the altar offerings. At the cultural house of Zone 4, the rich aroma of honey cake simmering over a glowing fire immediately captivates visitors. For generations, honey cake has been more than just a delicacy; it is an essential offering, symbolizing the heartfelt devotion of the Dao Xa people to the deities who have played a role in building and protecting the nation.

Women take on the crucial roles of preparing ingredients, cooking, and wrapping the honey cake.

The Dao Xa Communal House Elephant Procession Festival is one of the most unique festivals in Thanh Thuy District, held annually from the 27th to the 29th of the first lunar month. About a week before the festival, local residents begin preparing the offering trays. According to the elders, in addition to the traditional five-fruit tray, ceremonial chicken, and sweet sticky rice cake, honey cake is a distinct and indispensable offering exclusive to Dao Xa. This cake, with its rich amber color, soft and smooth texture, and harmonious blend of sweet molasses and spicy fresh ginger, holds a special place in the festival’s customs.

Despite being 70 years old, Mrs. Ha Thi Vien from Zone 4 continues to contribute to preparing the worship tray each year. She is entrusted with cooking the honey cake, a role she takes great pride in. Mrs. Vien enthusiastically shares, “The process of making honey cake is quite simple, yet what makes it special is the collaboration between men and women in its preparation. Women are responsible for ingredient selection, cooking, and wrapping, while men handle the final stage of pulling the cake. These steps may seem straightforward, but they require skill and precision. The dough, cooked over high heat, can easily burn if not carefully stirred, while insufficient heat results in undercooked dough. Stirring continuously is essential, as the mixture thickens and becomes heavier over time, requiring both patience and dexterity.”

Honey cake is not only a cherished treat but also an indispensable offering on the Dao Xa altar.

To create a high-quality honey cake, ingredient selection is meticulous. The primary components are rice and molasses. The rice is soaked, finely ground, and mixed with water to allow the starch to settle. The clear liquid is then drained, leaving behind pure white starch. This is combined with molasses in an 8:1 ratio (eight parts starch mixture to one part molasses), along with a hint of fresh ginger juice. The mixture is then slow-cooked over low heat until it reaches a golden brown color, thickens, and no longer sticks to chopsticks. During cooking, a touch of banana oil is added to enhance the cake’s distinctive fragrance.

Once the dough is ready, it is placed on a transparent plastic sheet. While still hot, women swiftly shape it into elongated blocks and wrap them in clean, coarse cloth. At this stage, men take over, placing the dough into a 10 cm diameter iron tube fixed on a table. By pulling the dough back and forth through the tube, they refine its texture until it becomes smooth and round—a process known as "pulling the cake." When the dough slides easily through the tube, it is deemed ready. The formed cakes are then wrapped in green dong leaves, tied with string, and steamed for one to two hours. Once cooked, the cakes are cooled before being cut into pieces and placed on the offering tray.

Honey cake is more than just an offering; it is a symbol of warmth, tradition, and communal love.

Observing the meticulous process of honey cake preparation offers a glimpse into the deep-rooted traditions and communal spirit of Dao Xa. Mrs. Ha Thi Vien reflects, “In the past, honey cakes were made only during Tet and the Dao Xa Communal House Festival. Today, as life has become more prosperous, many families prepare honey cakes to share with relatives and friends. My family is no exception; sometimes, I crave the taste and make some to enjoy and share with neighbors. Whenever we make honey cakes, the entire neighborhood gathers, and it brings so much joy.”

For the people of Dao Xa, honey cake is not just a confectionery delight. Each time the honey cake stove is lit, it becomes a cherished moment for multiple generations to come together, reminisce about the past, and share stories of the present. The unique taste of Dao Xa honey cake is enhanced by the love, unity, and tradition passed down through generations, making it a truly special offering that embodies the essence of community and heritage.

Thuy Phuong