Thong ek facts for kids
Thong ek krachang or dara thong
|
|
| Type | Snack |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | Thailand |
| Region or state | Southeast Asia |
| Main ingredients | eggs |
Thong ek (pronounced "Tong Ek") is a special and beautiful dessert from Thailand. It is also called "Wheat Flour Dumplings with Egg Yolks." This golden sweet is one of the nine traditional Thai desserts that bring good luck. Thong ek often looks like a carved flower. It has a tiny piece of gold leaf on top. People usually serve Thong ek at very important events. These events include ceremonies for career advancements.
What Does Thong Ek Mean?
In the Thai language, the word "Thong" means "gold." The word "Ek" means "prime" or "number one." People believe that using Thong Ek in special rituals brings good fortune. Giving it as a gift to older people is also thought to bring wealth. It is also believed to help someone become the best in their job.
The History of Thong Ek
Thong Ek is part of a group of sweets made with eggs. Other famous Thai desserts like thong yip and thong yot are similar. This dessert was first introduced during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. This was when King Narai ruled Thailand.
A Japanese-Portuguese chef named Maria Guyomar de Pinha brought these sweets to Thailand. Her original recipes came from Portuguese sweets. These sweets mainly used egg yolks and sugar. Maria Guyomar de Pinha mixed Thai and Portuguese cooking styles. She showed how to make these desserts very carefully. Every step, from the ingredients to the taste, color, and look, was important.
How Thong Ek Is Made
This delicious dessert is made from a mix of sugar, coconut milk, and egg yolk. The mixture is pressed into special wooden molds. This gives the dessert its unique shape. The cooking process is not complete until a small piece of gold foil is placed on top. This makes the sweet look even more special and golden.
