
Artist's commentary
Lotus Seed Chè & Chocolates Meant To Go Ungiven
Valentine's Day chocolate from Hai Bà Trưng.
Chè is a Vietnamese dessert without a defined form. It may contain a variety of regional ingredients such as beans or fruits. One could call it a Vietnamese zenzai. Hai Bà Trưng made this subtly sweet dessert using lotus seed, a common Vietnamese ingredient. It's unclear whether chè existed during their lifetimes, but this choice was likely made carefully, as a reflection of the two of them.
Each sister made her chocolate in secret. While they didn't necessarily consult each other during the process, the finished products ended up oddly similar, a testament to their sisterly bond. Trưng Trắc's chocolate is slightly sweet, while Trưng Nhị's is a little bitter. Both are as tasty as you'd expect, but be careful not to imply that you might prefer one over the other, lest you incur their wrath.