Kruidnoten Explained

Kruidnoten
Alternate Name:kruidennoten (mistakenly), pepernoten (mistakenly)
Country:Netherlands
Type:Biscuit
Variations:many (see article)
Calories:75 or more

(in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /ˈkrœytnoːtə(n)/) are hard cookie-like confectioneries made of speculaas, roughly the size of a coin and shaped as a flattened hemisphere, traditionally associated with Sinterklaas and commonly eaten in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Traditions

The Netherlands

When children come to witness Sinterklaas' arrival to the country, it is normal to receive a handful of kruidnoten from one of his helpers called Zwarte Piet. At home, during Sinterklaas eve, kruidnoten and other candies are thrown around. Children consider it a form of entertainment to go around and collect the dropped candies. In earlier days it was habit to throw around kruidnoten on the pavement and at schools during visits of Sinterklaas, too. At a certain moment, maybe because of hygiene concerns, this became less common. At school, visiting Zwarte Pieten now tend to lay down a pile or small bag on the student's desk or directly in the child's hand.[1] Although some guess this throwing around has a deeper meaning, comparable to the throwing of rice at weddings it is most likely a symbol of Sinterklaas' generosity.Some schools and supermarkets organize make-them-yourself sessions.[2] [3] Children are given pre-made dough and are tasked to shape them into kruidnoten.

Belgium

Kruidnoten were not consumed by the Flemish for a long time and no traditions exist, but around the late 2010s, interest in them grew.[4] [5] Instead of kruidnoten, Zwarte Piet throws letter-shaped biscuits that come with different names depending on the region, like "karolientjes", "mokskes", "pieknieken", or "nicnacjes".[6]

Variations

In the Netherlands, kruidnoten are one of the most popular and recognizable candies during the Sinterklaas period. During the 21st century the recipe has become the subject of experimentation.[7] [8] Pop-up shops, fully devoted to selling the many variants that have been produced over the years, have become a yearly sight in many cities.[9] [10] The common grocery and candy store has a selection to choose from as well.[11] [12] Besides the regular variant and packages that include gummies and sugar candies kruidnoten can be covered with a layer of (white/milk/pure/truffle) chocolate.[13] Some large retailers such as Albert Heijn and Jamin and producers such as Van Delft provide many types with other flavors. In 2021 they offered:[14] [15] [16]

Trivia

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Article: The story behind "strooigoed" (Sinterklaas candy for throwing).. 26 November 2017 . Laura's Bakery. nl. 9 April 2021.
  2. Web site: Supermarket invitation to come bake kruidnoten (2019).. 13 November 2019 . In De Buurt Delft. nl. 9 April 2021.
  3. Web site: School hosts Sinterklaas event for their students (2020).. IKC Het Plankier. nl. 9 April 2021.
  4. Web site: Sinterklaas differences between The Netherlands and Belgium.. Marketing Concurrent. nl. 11 April 2021. 11 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411220810/https://www.marketingconcurrent.nl/verschillen-feestdagen-nederland-en-belgie/. dead.
  5. Web site: Article: Pepernoten factory opens first store in Belgium.. PZC. nl. 11 April 2021.
  6. Web site: Sinterklaas brings delicious mokskes. Schrijf.be. nl, nl-be. 11 April 2021.
  7. Web site: Top 5 most eaten Sinterklaas sweets.. Droptelegram. nl. 9 April 2021.
  8. Web site: Article: What's the most popular kruidnoot?. 29 November 2018 . Nu. nl. 9 April 2021.
  9. Web site: Blog: Pepernoten stores and pepernoten pop-up stores with the best kruidnoten.. 30 November 2020 . Follow My Footprints. nl. 9 April 2021.
  10. Web site: Local news report: Kruidnoten pop-up store coming to Enschede.. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/7_EYXCcz33M . 2021-12-20 . live. 1Twente Enschede. nl. 9 April 2021.
  11. Web site: Complete product line available at Albert Heijn grocery store.. Albert Heijn. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201181303/https://www.ah.nl/producten/snoep-koek-chips/sint-lekkernijen/pepernoten-kruidnoten. nl. 9 April 2021. 2020-12-01.
  12. Web site: Complete product line available at Jamin candy store.. Jamin. https://web.archive.org/web/20201202041343/https://www.jamin.nl/. nl. 9 April 2021. 2020-12-02.
  13. https://www.nu.nl/eten-en-drinken/5598863/kaas-bubbelgum-of-karamel-zeezout-populairste-kruidnoot.html which is one of the earliest and most loved variants
  14. Web site: Complete product line available at the Van Delft factory.. vandelftchocolates.nl. nl. 9 April 2021. 12 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512120947/https://www.vandelftchocolates.nl/nl/pepernoten/alle-pepernoten/. dead.
  15. Web site: Complete product line available at Albert Heijn grocery store.. Albert Heijn. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201181303/https://www.ah.nl/producten/snoep-koek-chips/sint-lekkernijen/pepernoten-kruidnoten. nl. 9 April 2021. 2020-12-01.
  16. Web site: Complete product line available at Jamin candy store.. Jamin. https://web.archive.org/web/20201202041343/https://www.jamin.nl/. nl. 9 April 2021. 2020-12-02.
  17. https://bolletje.nl/ Bolletje
  18. Web site: Kruidnoten flavor contest, hosted by Bolletje.. Qmusic. https://web.archive.org/web/20210409170223/https://qmusic.nl/acties/de-smaakvolste-verkiezing-van-nederland. nl. 9 April 2021. 2021-04-09.
  19. Web site: Kruidnoten flavor contest, hosted by 24Kitchen.. AD. nl. 9 April 2021.
  20. Web site: Article: What's the difference between pepernoten and kruidnoten?. Onze Taal. nl. 19 November 2011.
  21. Web site: Forum conversation: "Why are kruidnoten being called pepernoten these days?". Startpagina/GoeieVraag!. nl. 19 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027125037/http://www.startpagina.nl/v/eten-drinken/overig/vraag/29868/kruidnoten-tegenwoordig-pepernoten-genoemd. 27 October 2016. dead.
  22. Web site: The "pepernoten" category page at the Bol online store.. Bol. nl. 9 April 2021.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kruidnoten".

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