Pesaha appam facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Kurishappam |
|---|---|
| Serving temperature | Dinner |
| Main ingredients | Rice batter |
| Variations | Palappam (fermented bread for festivities and other days) |
| Other information | Cultural cuisine of the Nasrani |
Pesaha appam or Kurisappam is a special rice cake. It is made by the Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala, India. They serve it on the night of Maundy Thursday. This day is part of Holy Week before Easter. Pesaha appam is made from rice batter, like another dish called palappam. But it is different because it does not use yeast to make it rise. People often place a cross made from Palm Sunday palm leaves in the middle of the batter before cooking.
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What is Pesaha Appam?
Pesaha appam is a firm, flat bread. It is similar to a pancake or a cake. The name "Pesaha" comes from the word for Passover. This special bread is a big part of the Maundy Thursday celebration for Saint Thomas Christians.
How is it Made?
The main ingredient for Pesaha appam is rice batter. Unlike many breads, it is made without yeast. This means it does not get fluffy. Instead, it stays firm and flat. Sometimes, a cross made from palm leaves is pressed into the batter. These leaves are saved from Palm Sunday, which is the Sunday before Easter.
The Pesaha Celebration
The Pesaha celebration happens on Maundy Thursday. This is the day before Good Friday. It is a very important day for Saint Thomas Christians. The celebration lasts for one day.
Family Meal and Traditions
Pesaha appam is served in a special way at night. The oldest person in the family usually cuts the appam. They dip pieces of it into a sweet syrup called paalukurukku. This syrup is made from jaggery (a type of unrefined sugar) and coconut milk. Sometimes, they use a special coconut milk called Pesaha pal.
The family head then shares the appam with everyone. Small bananas, like poovan pazham, are also part of this meal. Some families sing traditional Christian songs during this special dinner. It is a time for families to come together and remember their faith.
Why No Yeast?
The Pesaha appam is similar to a traditional Jewish bread called Matzo. Matzo is also made without yeast. This is because it reminds people of the hurried journey of the Israelites from Egypt. They did not have time for their bread to rise. In the same way, Pesaha appam is made without yeast. This connects it to ancient traditions and stories.
