Mendiant facts for kids
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Four mendiants: pistachio, almond, raisin and candied orange peel
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| Type | Confectionery |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | France |
| Main ingredients | bittersweet chocolate, nuts, dried fruits |
A mendiant is a special French candy. It's a round piece of chocolate with nuts and dried fruits on top. These tasty treats are usually made during the Christmas season in France.
The name "mendiant" means "beggar" in French. This sweet treat is named after four old religious groups called "mendicant orders." These groups were known for living simply and relying on donations.
What Are Mendiants?
Mendiants are like small, flat chocolate disks. They are decorated with different kinds of nuts and dried fruits. The traditional mendiant uses four specific toppings. Each topping represents one of the four main mendicant orders.
The Traditional Toppings
The original mendiant recipe uses four ingredients that stand for the colors of the robes worn by the different religious orders:
- Raisins represent the Augustinians, who wore dark robes.
- Hazelnuts represent the Carmelites, who wore brown robes.
- Dried figs represent the Franciscans, who wore grey or brown robes.
- Almonds represent the Dominicans, who wore white robes.
These ingredients are carefully placed on the chocolate disk. This makes each mendiant a little piece of history you can eat!
Mendiants Today
While the traditional mendiant has specific toppings, today you can find many different kinds! People now use all sorts of things to decorate these chocolates. You might see them with different seeds, pieces of fruit peel, or even other candies. This makes mendiants a fun and creative treat for everyone.
They are still a very popular sweet to make and share during the holidays, especially around Christmas.
