Koe'sister facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Koe'sister |
|---|---|
| Type | Pastry |
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Main ingredients | Dough, sugar syrup, desiccated coconut, spices |
A koesister or koe'sister is a yummy traditional pastry from the Cape Malays in South Africa. It's often described as a spicy, cake-like dumpling. After it's made, it gets a sprinkle of coconut on top.
Contents
What is a Koesister?
A koesister is a special sweet treat from the Cape Malays in South Africa. It's like a soft, spicy doughnut. People often enjoy them for breakfast or as a snack. They are known for their unique taste, which comes from different spices.
How are Koesisters Made?
Making koesisters starts with a soft dough. This dough includes yeast, which makes it rise. The dough is flavored with warm spices like cinnamon, aniseed, ginger, and cardamom. Sometimes, dried tangerine skin powder is also added for extra flavor.
Once the dough is ready, it's shaped into balls. These balls are then deep-fried until they are golden brown. After frying, the koesisters are allowed to cool down a bit. Then, they are briefly cooked in a boiling sugar syrup. This makes them sweet and sticky. Finally, they are rolled in shredded coconut, which adds a lovely texture and taste.
A Sweet History
The idea of frying dough like this came from Malay and Indonesian traditions. It might also have some Indian influences. These fried dough treats were first brought to South Africa by Malay slaves. Back then, they were often eaten as a savory breakfast item, not sweet. They were known as "koe'sisters," which some people think means polite gossiping among women.
Celebrating Koesisters: World Koesister Day
Koesisters are so loved that they have their own special day! The first-ever World Koesister Day was celebrated on Sunday, September 1, 2019. This event took place in Cape Town, South Africa. It was held at the Radisson RED Hotel V&A Waterfront. World Koesister Day is now celebrated every year on the first Sunday of September.
Koesister vs. Koeksister: What's the Difference?
It's easy to get koesisters mixed up with another South African pastry called a koeksister. But they are quite different!
Cape Malay koesisters are soft, spicy, and covered in coconut. They are like a dumpling. The Afrikaner version, called a koeksister, is different. A koeksister is a crisp and very syrupy doughnut. It's usually twisted or plaited in shape. So, while both are sweet fried dough, their textures and flavors are unique!
