Good sweet: Maltose, honey of the East

You have a sweet tooth and love sweet dessert. You have heard a lot about the concerns of over-consuming sugar and have considered reducing your sugar intake. No worry! You don't have to give up on sweets completely. There are healthy alternatives to simple sugar that you can enjoy.

Have you ever heard about Maltose (Mạch nha)? It's a popular traditional dessert in Vietnam, especially in countryside in the past. From the layers upon layers of terraced fields winding around the Northwest hillsides to the vast fields as straight as a stork's wing in the Southwest, rice seeds are born, forever attached to the lives of Vietnamese people. Rice grains bring the essence of heaven and earth into smoky pots of sticky rice, into simple braised fish meals, into banh chung and banh tet in Tet feasts. Rice grains also go through countless other journeys, transforming into unique gifts in all regions.

Down in the Central region, on the land of Quang Ngai, there is a type of sugar that is sticky, yellow like honey, and has a sweet taste made from rice noodles, called malt. The name of the dish comes from the ingredients it is made from (malt means rice). Along with many other flavors, malt has a little sweetness in the nostalgia of those far from home. Actually malt sweet has a rich story of heritage in Vietnam.

Is malt good for health?

Origin from China, and lovely called as "honey of the East" Maltose is an all-natural sweetener originating in China produced from distilling fermented grains, usually rice. The ingredient list for maltose reads as follows: rice and water. That's it! Scientifically, maltose is two glucose molecules combined - so no fructose in sight.

It is also 50% less sweet than normal table sugar. It's been made since Ancient Chinese times and was often used to soothe sore throats and upset stomachs due to its high iron and mineral content. This is why we like to refer to it as the "honey of the East."

Is maltose the same thing as brown rice syrup? Almost, the process of preparation differs slightly as brown rice syrup only contains about 50% of maltose while pure maltose is higher, yielding a thicker, less sweet syrup. The small amount of mineral content is negligible in both syrups.

Does maltose have any health benefits? Yes! Maltose has high fiber and iron content as well as some protein. Since ancient times, the Chinese used maltose as a light medicinal treat for better digestion and a healthier immune system even to this day. Maltose is also an excellent source of energy due to its higher glycemic index, which makes it a great pre-workout or post-workout snack ingredient!

Does this mean I can eat as much as I want? No. A healthy balanced diet includes eating at most the recommended daily value of sugar and maltose is no exception, just like fruit is no exception. But a little bit a day is completely acceptable and enjoyable.

How else is maltose used? The Chinese use maltose in almost everything. Not only is it the main sweetener found in almost all their sweet treats, but it's also used to glaze famous dishes like peking duck! In fact, Chinese and Vietnamese love it so much, we use it to make art on the streets.

You can read more about maltose dessert here:

Mạch nha — món quà ngọt lành từ mộng lúa và ruộng đồng Quảng Ngãi | Saigoneer

Hàng trăm năm nay trên đất Mộ Đức, bao đôi tay đã chắt chiu từng mầm lúa để làm ra những dòng mạch nha ngọt lành, một thức quà từ ruộng đồng Quảng Ngãi thơm ngon nức tiếng gần xa.…

Sài·gòn·eerLinh Phạm

Maltose: Honey’s Less Sweet Cousin

What is maltose? While it’s name sounds unfamiliar, and thus, potentially unhealthy, maltose is a healthier alternative to other conventional sweeteners.

Numa Foods