Khanom chan facts for kids
Khanom chan prepared with pink food coloring
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| Type | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Thailand |
| Region or state | Southeast Asia |
| Associated national cuisine | Thailand |
Khanom chan (Thai: ขนมชั้น) is a very old and special Thai dessert. It's a type of khanom, which means "dessert" in Thai. This yummy treat is made from ingredients like tapioca flour, rice flour, and coconut milk.
Khanom chan comes from the Sukhothai Period in Thailand's history. It's a popular snack that Thai people often make for important celebrations. This dessert smells wonderful, tastes a little sweet, and feels smooth and sticky. The coconut milk gives it a slightly rich, oily touch.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Khanom chan tells you a lot about this dessert!
So, Khanom chan literally means "layered dessert"!
Where Did It Come From?
This layered dessert first appeared during the Sukhothai Period in Thailand. This was a time when Thailand traded a lot with countries like China and India. Because of this trade, different cultures shared ideas, including food recipes!
Khanom chan was created using ingredients from many places. It was then changed to fit what local people liked and what was available.
Why Nine Layers Are Special
When you eat Khanom chan, it usually has at least nine layers. The number nine is very important in Thai culture!
Because of this, Khanom chan is often seen as a symbol of good luck and success. It can mean moving forward in life or getting a promotion at work.
Khanom Chan in Celebrations
Since it brings good luck, Khanom chan is often used in special ceremonies. These include important family events like charity events at home or weddings. People believe that a Khanom chan with nine or more layers brings happiness and progress to everyone involved. This includes the person who makes it and the person who eats it!
In some parts of Thailand, people even give the dessert other names to make it sound even more lucky. For example, some call it khanom chan farh (Thai: ขนมชั้นฟ้า).
What It's Made Of
Khanom chan is made with several key ingredients that give it its unique texture and taste:
- Tapioca flour
- Arrowroot starch
- Rice flour
- Mung bean flour
- Sugar
- Coconut milk
- Food coloring or pandan juice (for color and flavor)
How Ingredients Work Together
Each ingredient plays a special role:
- Tapioca flour makes the dessert soft, sticky, and a bit see-through.
- Arrowroot starch also makes it sticky, but it's less see-through than tapioca flour.
- Rice flour and mung bean flour help the dessert stay firm and hold its layered shape.
