Basbousa facts for kids
Basbousa topped with walnuts
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| Alternative names | رواني, revani, namoura, haresh |
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| Type | Dessert |
| Region or state | Middle East |
| Serving temperature | Cold or warm |
| Main ingredients | Semolina or farina, syrup |
Basbousa (pronounced bas-BOO-sah) is a yummy, sweet cake from the Middle East. It is made from a special kind of flour called semolina. After baking, the cake is soaked in a sweet syrup. This syrup often has flavors like orange flower water or rose water.
Basbousa is usually baked in a flat pan. Then, it is cut into cool shapes like diamonds or squares. You can find this popular dessert in many places. These include countries in the Middle East, Greece, Turkey, Ethiopia, and Yemen. It is also popular in areas that were once part of the Ottoman Empire.
Contents
What is Basbousa Called?
This delicious cake has many different names. The name often changes depending on where you are in the world. You can find it in the Middle East, the Balkans, and North Africa.
Here are some of its names:
- In Arabic: harīsa, nammoura, basbūsah
- In Hebrew: basbūsah
- In Armenian: shamali
- In Greek: ravani, revani, samali
- In Albanian: revani
- In Turkish: revani
- In Macedonian and Serbian: ravanija
- In Bulgarian: revane
- In Somali: basbuusa
- In Persian: roghani
"Basbousa" is the most common name in the Middle East. But in some places, like the Levant, it is called "hareesa." It is important not to confuse "hareesa" with "harissa." Harissa is a spicy red sauce from North Africa. Basbousa is a very popular dessert. Many bakeries in the Middle East sell it. It is especially popular during the holy month of Ramadan.
Different Kinds of Basbousa
There are a few fun variations of Basbousa. Each one adds its own special twist.
Pastūsha
Pastūsha is a type of basbousa that started in Kuwait around 2010. Like regular basbousa, it uses semolina and sweet syrup. But Pastūsha has finely ground pistachios mixed in. It also often includes orange flower water for extra flavor.
Basbousa bil Ashta
Basbousa bil ashta is a version from the Levant region. This type of basbousa has a creamy filling in the middle. The filling is made with a special cream called ashta.
Vegan Basbousa
Today, you can even find Vegan Basbousa. This version is made without any dairy or eggs. Instead of eggs, things like apple sauce are used to hold the mix together. This makes it a great choice for people who prefer plant-based foods.
See also
In Spanish: Basbusa para niños
