Khanom chan


Khanom Chan is one of the ancient Thai dessert, which Thai people usually made for auspicious ceremonies. In Thai, the word “Khanom” means dessert, “Chan” means layer. It is usually steamed in the complete 9 layer form. The number nine itself has connotations of prosperity in Thai culture. Khanom Chan therefore represents prosperity in life and promotion in your occupation.
Khanom Chan is fragrant, subtly sweet and slightly oily from the addition of coconut milk. The texture is smooth yet sticky.

History

From Sukhothai period, the dealing with foreign trade with China and India have contributed to cultural exchange, for example, food. During this period Thailand has begun to develop relations with foreign countries both East and West. This made Thailand develop food that comes from many nations and adapt it to suit the living conditions local people.

Beliefs

Khanom Chan in the past is used in sacred ceremony such as home philanthropy, wedding, etc. The design of Khanom Chan has nine layers or more because number nine and beyond in Thai belief is believed to bring happiness, progress for the maker and eater. From this belief, some of the local areas have other names for Khanom Chan to make it more prosperous called Khanom Chan Farh.

Ingredients

Khanom chan is made with tapioca flour, arrowroot starch, rice flour, mung bean flour, sugar, coconut milk, and food coloring or pandan juice.
Tapioca flour is used to make the dessert soft, sticky, viscous and look transparent. Arrowroot flour makes it sticky, but is less transparent than tapioca flour. Rice flour and mung bean flour gives it the firmness to hold its shape.