Thong muan facts for kids
| Alternative names | Thai roll wafer |
|---|---|
| Type | Rolled sweet wafer biscuit |
| Course | dessert |
| Place of origin | Thailand |
| Main ingredients | wheat flour, sugar, eggs, shredded coconut, black sesame |
Thong muan (pronounced "tong moo-an") is a yummy Thai snack. It's a crispy, rolled cookie that looks a bit like a small cigar. In Thai, its name means "rolled gold," which is why people often give it as a gift to wish others good luck and wealth! This tasty treat was first influenced by the Portuguese.
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The Story of Thong Muan
Thong muan has a long history in Thailand! It's even mentioned in an old poem called Kap He Chom Khrueang Khao Wan. This poem was written during the time of King Rama II, who ruled Thailand from 1767 to 1824. During his time, Thailand traded and shared ideas with countries from both the East and the West. This is how many new dessert recipes, including Thong muan, came to Thailand. Portuguese nuns are believed to have first brought the idea for these delicious wafers to Thailand.
What's Inside Thong Muan?
The main ingredients for traditional Thong muan are rice flour, coconut milk, and eggs. These are often seasoned with black sesame seeds, which add a nice nutty flavor. While these are the classic ingredients, some people like to change their recipes a bit to make different kinds of Thong muan.
How Thong Muan is Made
Making Thong muan is a fun process!
- First, all the ingredients are mixed together to create a smooth batter.
- Then, a small amount of this batter is poured onto a special pan called a Thong muan mold pan. This pan helps shape the cookies.
- The cookies are baked until they are golden and crispy. They are usually flipped once during cooking to make sure both sides are evenly cooked.
- Right after they come off the hot pan, while they are still warm and soft, the cookies are quickly rolled into their famous cigar shape. They become hard and crispy as they cool down.
Where to Find Thong Muan
Thong muan is a very popular snack in Thailand. You can often find it at special shops called OTOP (One Tambon One Product) stores. These shops sell unique products from different local areas. You might also see Thong muan sold by the roadside or in traditional Thai coffee shops.
This crispy cookie is not just popular in Thailand; it's also exported to many other countries! Places like Hong Kong, Japan, America, Canada, Austria, Germany, and Taiwan all enjoy Thong muan. If you visit Thailand, you can often find Thong muan at gift shops in the airport, making it a perfect souvenir. In 2015, the money earned from exporting Thong muan was about 100 million Baht, which shows how much people around the world love this Thai treat!
