I wonder if there are other people like me who are full of curiosity about everything?
In the winter of 2023, after a business trip, I went to the Netherlands for vacation. Besides the Van Gogh Museum, which I was looking forward to visiting, the waffle shops in Amsterdam, the capital, were filled with the aroma of caramel in the winter. So I chose a waffle shop that looked like it was always packed with people and decided to give it a try.
How did the Dutch pancake culture originate? 🧇🇳🇱
①Climatic factors
The Netherlands is cold, damp, and windy for most of the year.
Pancakes, a type of high-carbohydrate, high-calorie, and warm food, are great for replenishing energy and quickly warming you up.
② Agricultural background: Abundant wheat and dairy products
The Netherlands has historically been a powerhouse in agriculture and animal husbandry, with readily available wheat and flour, and high-quality milk, butter, and cheese.
Therefore, dishes like pancakes and crepes (Pannenkoeken), which consist of "batter + dairy products," naturally became part of the daily diet.
③ Street culture and market tradition
The Netherlands has many weekend markets, festivals, and carnivals. Pancakes are quick to make and can be eaten fresh, with an appealing aroma, which is why they have become popular.
④ Geographical factors
Originating in the Gouda region of the Netherlands, it is a popular pastry in the Dutch-speaking areas of the Netherlands and Belgium, and it is very similar in appearance to Belgian waffles. One account says that a baker named Gerard Kamphuisen, between 1810 and 1840, created it using leftover ingredients from making wafers and added caramel.
There are three main types of muffins popular in Amsterdam:
① Dutch mini pancakes (Poffertjes) with a texture similar to sponge cake.
②A traditional Dutch pancake, similar to a crepe that can be topped with many ingredients.
③ Classic caramel stroopwafel, two slices Checkered pancakes A layer of caramel is sandwiched in the middle. You'll taste the soft, crumbly texture of the biscuit, the aroma of milk, the fragrance of caramel, and the wonderful flavor that blends perfectly with the biscuit. It's perfect with a hot drink.
Van Wonderen Stroopwafels, a famous caramel waffle shop in downtown Amsterdam
Because I only had three days to spend in Amsterdam, even though I hadn't done much research beforehand, I still encountered... Van Wonderen Stroopwafels, touted as one of the most distinctive specialty shops in the Netherlands, offers caramel pancakes at a relatively high price, around €10 per pancake, depending on the toppings chosen . The freshly baked pancakes are bursting with caramel flavor, but the texture is softer than expected, unlike the traditionally hard pancakes.
0 comments