Mud cookie facts for kids
A mud cookie, also known as Galette or bonbon tè in Haitian Creole, is a special kind of food eaten in Haiti. People, especially pregnant women, sometimes eat them. These cookies are often found in very poor areas, like Cité Soleil.
The dirt used to make these cookies comes from the central part of Haiti, near a town called Hinche. Trucks bring this dirt to markets, like the one in La Saline. There, women buy the dirt.
How Mud Cookies Are Made
Mud cookies are made in poor neighborhoods, such as Fort Dimanche. First, the dirt is carefully cleaned. This means removing any rocks or big clumps.
Next, the clean dirt is mixed with salt. It is also mixed with vegetable shortening or other fats. This makes the mixture easier to work with.
After mixing, the dirt is shaped into flat, round discs. These discs look like cookies. Finally, the shaped cookies are left outside to dry in the sun. Once they are dry, they are ready. People carry them in buckets and sell them in markets or on the streets.
Why People Eat Mud Cookies
Mud cookies have been eaten for a long time in Haiti. People traditionally believed they were good for health. They were thought to be a dietary supplement for pregnant women and children.
Many Haitians believe these cookies contain calcium. They thought calcium could help with stomach problems, like an antacid. They also believed it provided important nutrition.
However, doctors do not agree with this. They warn that eating mud cookies can cause problems. These problems include tooth decay and constipation. Doctors say there can be even worse health issues.
Cost and Hunger
Making mud cookies is very cheap. In 2008, the dirt needed for one hundred cookies cost about five US dollars. This means each cookie cost only about five cents. The price had gone up a bit since 2007.
For some people, mud cookies are a way to avoid feeling hungry. This is especially true when food prices are very high. For example, during the global food price crisis in 2008, many people struggled to buy enough food. Eating mud cookies helped them feel full.
What They Taste Like
People who have tried mud cookies describe their texture as smooth. However, they say the cookies immediately make your mouth feel dry. They also have a strong, earthy aftertaste that can last for hours.
