Kleeb lamduan facts for kids
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| Alternative names | lamduan flower shortbread cookie |
|---|---|
| Type | biscuit |
| Course | dessert |
| Place of origin | Thailand |
| Associated national cuisine | Thailand |
| Main ingredients | flour |
| Ingredients generally used | sugar, oil |
Kleeb lamduan (pronounced kleeb lam-doo-an) is a special Thai biscuit or cookie. It's also known as the lamduan flower shortbread cookie. These cookies are shaped like the beautiful white cheesewood flowers (Melodorum fruticosum). What makes them really unique is their amazing smell!
Contents
What is Kleeb Lamduan?
Kleeb lamduan cookies are small, delicate, and often light in color. They get their name from the lamduan flower because they look just like its petals. The traditional recipe uses simple ingredients: flour, sugar, and a type of cooking fat called lard. Today, many bakers use vegetable oil instead of lard. Some also use icing sugar instead of regular sugar and add a pinch of salt.
The Special Scent
The most interesting part of making Kleeb lamduan is how they get their unique smell. After baking, the cookies are placed in a closed container with a special scented candle called tian op (เทียนอบ). This candle is lit for a short time, then put out. The sweet, smoky smell from the candle gets trapped inside the container, making the cookies smell wonderful. It's like giving the cookies a perfume!
A Cookie with a Royal Past
Kleeb lamduan cookies have a long and interesting history. They were once very special and were only served inside the palace to royalty in Thailand. These cookies were considered "auspicious," meaning they brought good luck.
From Palace to Public
Over time, the secret of making these delicious cookies spread. People who used to work in the palace, or their families, started baking and selling them to everyone. This means that today, you can easily find kleeb lamduan cookies outside the palace, and many people enjoy them.
How Recipes Change
Even though the cookies have an old history, their recipes have changed a bit over the years. Bakers have found new ways to make them. This includes changes to how they are baked, the number of petals they have, their color, and even the ingredients used.
How Kleeb Lamduan is Made
Making kleeb lamduan is a careful process. The original recipe is quite simple, using just flour, sugar, and lard. This mix is similar to what you'd find in a shortbread cookie dough, which is known for being crumbly and delicious.
Shaping the Flower
When making these cookies, it's important to shape them correctly. Each cookie must have six petals in total. Three petals are on the outside, and three smaller petals are placed inside, making it look just like a real lamduan flower.
Baking and Scenting
After shaping, the cookies are baked at the right temperature. They need to be flipped regularly so they cook evenly and become perfectly crunchy. The final step, before they are ready to eat, is the special smoking process with the tian op scented candle. This gives them their famous fragrant aroma.
