Samanu facts for kids
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| Type | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Greater Iran (Persia) |
| Region or state | Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan |
| Main ingredients | Germinated wheat |
Samanu is a sweet, thick paste. It is made from young wheatgrass and wheat flour. People prepare it in a big pot called a kazan. Samanu is a special food for Nowruz, which is the start of Spring. This tradition began a very long time ago in the ancient Persian Empire.
Samanu has many different names depending on the country. Some names include Samanak, Sümelek, Sumanak, Sumalak, or Sümölök. In countries like Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, making Samanu is a big event. It often involves many people, especially women. They gather around the pot, sing songs, and take turns stirring the mixture. People sometimes make wishes while stirring the Samanu. Near the end, whole walnuts are added, and more wishes are made. The next morning, warm Samanu is shared with friends, family, and neighbors. In Tajikistan and Afghanistan, they sing a song that means: "Samanak is boiling and we are stirring it, others are asleep and we are playing daf" (a type of drum).
Making Samanu takes a long time, sometimes up to a week. This is because the wheat needs to soak and sprout for several days. The final cooking can last from evening until morning. Today, making Samanu can be a fun activity for the whole family. Traditionally, Samanu was made only from sprouted wheat and water. Now, some people add a little flour to make it thicker faster. However, this can make it taste a bit less sweet. A bowl of Samanu is an important part of the Haft-sin table, which has seven symbolic items for Nowruz.
Contents
Samanu as a Special Business
In Iran, making and selling Samanu has become a special seasonal business. This is especially true in the city of Ashtian. Samanu from Ashtian is made, sold, and even sent to countries in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Because of this, Ashtian is sometimes called the "Samanu city of Iran."
How to Make Samanu
Making Samanu takes time and care. Here is a simple way to prepare it:
Ingredients You Need
- One kilogram of whole wheat flour
- One kilogram of wheat grains
- About 8 to 10 liters of water
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Prepare the Wheat. First, wash the wheat grains. Then, soak them in water overnight. The next day, spread the soaked wheat onto a tray. Cover them with a damp cotton cloth. Keep the cloth wet for 2 to 3 days. This helps the wheat sprout. You should grind the sprouted wheat before it turns green.
- Step 2: Get the Wheat Juice. Pour the ground wheat into a strainer. Add a little water and press it. This helps separate the sweet wheat juice from the wheat bran (the outer part of the grain).
- Step 3: Mix the Ingredients. Mix the wheat juice with the wheat flour. Make sure the flour completely dissolves in the juice and water. There should be no lumps.
- Step 4: Start Cooking. Put the Samanu mixture on a stove with high heat. Stir it constantly so it doesn't stick to the bottom. Keep stirring until it starts to boil.
- Step 5: Simmer and Finish. Once the Samanu boils, you don't need to stir it all the time. Stir it about once every hour. Reduce the heat to very low. Samanu usually cooks for 10 to 15 hours. When it's ready, you can decorate it with pistachios or almonds.
See also
In Spanish: Samanu para niños
