Kaak facts for kids
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| Type | Flatbread |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Iran |
| Region or state | Shiraz and Kermanshah of iran |
| Main ingredients | Flour, yeast, water, milk, sugar, salt |
Kaak (pronounced "ka-ak") is a special type of flatbread. It comes from the provinces of Shiraz and Kermanshah in Iran. This bread is often very hard after it's baked. Because of this, some people call it Pathar Ki Roti, which means "bread of stone" in the Urdu language.
How Kaak is Made
Making Kaak starts with mixing ingredients to create the dough. These ingredients usually include flour, dry yeast, sugar, salt, milk, and water. Sometimes other things are added, depending on the recipe.
Once the dough is ready, it is flattened into a thin shape. Then, it is carefully rolled over a stone that has been heated up. Bakers sometimes sprinkle sesame seeds on top for extra flavor.
The dough is then baked in a special clay oven called a tannur. It stays in the oven until it is fully cooked. Even though the dough starts out thin and soft, it grows bigger and becomes very hard during baking. Kaak is often eaten with a dish called sajji.
Kaak Traditions
In the Baloch culture, the oldest woman in the family often decides how Kaak should be made. She guides the process at the beginning. Once the bread dough starts to rise, the younger women in the household take over. They finish the rest of the baking steps.
There is also a special custom among the Balochi people. The night before a wedding, the father of the bride will feed his daughter Kaak. This is a meaningful tradition for them.
Kaak Festivals
During the summer, a big festival for bakers takes place in a town called Mahore. It is known as Khabaz Mahrajan Magiz. This festival brings together the best bakers from all over Pakistan. Many thousands of people come to watch and enjoy the event.
A popular part of this festival is the annual Kaak competition. Bakers submit their best Kaak to a group of judges. The winners receive gold, silver, and bronze medals. These winners then get to show off their amazing Kaak at the festival's grand opening the next year. Judges choose the winner based on the taste, size, and color of the Kaak.
Kaak in Other Countries
In some Arab countries, the word "ka'ak" refers to a different kind of pastry. It is a thin, savory (not sweet) pastry that looks a bit like a bagel. These pastries often have a light flavor from a spice called mahleb. They are also usually covered with white sesame seeds.
There is also a sweet version called Kaak bi loz. This type of Kaak is made using ground almonds.
