Aachener Printen facts for kids
Printen with nuts and natural
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| Type | Lebkuchen |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Region or state | Aachen |
| Main ingredients | sugar beets, spices (cinnamon, aniseed, clove, cardamom, coriander, allspice, ginger) |
Aachener Printen are a special kind of cookie, a bit like gingerbread, that comes from the city of Aachen in Germany. These tasty treats were first made with honey. But today, they are usually sweetened with a sweet syrup from sugar beets.
The name "Aachener Printen" is protected. This means that only cookies made in or very close to Aachen can use this name. It's like a special badge of honor for their origin!
The Sweet Story of Printen
Printen cookies have a long and interesting history! The very first cookies like these probably came from the city of Dinant in nearby Belgium. Dinant has been making cookies with special engraved pictures for over a thousand years. These are called couques de Dinant.
In the 1400s, skilled workers who made things from copper moved from Dinant to Aachen. They likely brought the idea and recipes for these special engraved cookies with them. At first, pharmacists in Aachen sold Printen. This was because some of their ingredients, like honey and certain spices, were thought to have health benefits.
How Printen Are Made Today
Printen were originally made with honey. But during the time of Napoleon, it became hard to get honey. This was because Napoleon stopped trade with the main places that supplied honey. So, bakers in Aachen started using syrup from sugar beets instead.
Even after Napoleon was defeated, the tradition of using sugar beet syrup continued. It gives Printen their unique taste!
Printen are made with a mix of different spices. These include cinnamon, aniseed, clove, cardamom, coriander, allspice, and ginger. Each Printen bakery keeps its exact spice mix a secret. It's their special recipe!
Besides the original Printen, you can also find many tasty kinds. Some have nuts, usually almonds. Others are covered in chocolate or a sweet glaze. You might even find some with marzipan inside!
See also
In Spanish: Aachener Printen para niños
