Source :NEWS18 NEWS
Last Updated:May 13, 2025, 09:20 IST
Although this delicacy was introduced to Thoothukudi by Portuguese sailors, there is a special reason why Thoothukudi remains famous for its macaroons
Though the ingredients required for macaroons are minimal, the preparation process is far from simple. (Local18)
Every town has its own unique identity and history. Thoothukudi, a port city in Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its macaroons. Although this delicacy was introduced to Thoothukudi by Portuguese sailors and is now made in many places, there is a special reason why Thoothukudi remains famous for its macaroons.
Traditionally, macaroons are made using eggs, sugar, and almonds. However, at the time, importing almonds and using them in recipes was no easy task. As a result, cashew nuts, grown abundantly in the Therikad area near Thoothukudi, were used as a substitute.
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That is why cashew nuts are still traditionally used in Thoothukudi macaroons today. In the nearby Kayalpattinam area, bakers now prepare macaroons not only with various nuts but also following the traditional almond-based recipes from earlier times. Though the ingredients required for macaroons are minimal, the preparation process is far from simple.
Regarding the origin of these macaroons, a trader from Kayalpattinam said: “Thoothukudi macaroons are originally a Portuguese dessert, typically served after meals. When two traders travelled to India by sea, they introduced macaroons in Thoothukudi for the first time. Their original recipe used almonds, but since almonds had to be imported, macaroons became expensive. To make them more affordable, local bakers began using cashew nuts, which were plentiful in the Therikad region. That’s how Thoothukudi macaroons came into being. Macaroons made in other places today often follow the same recipe used in Thoothukudi.”
Speaking about their family-run bakery, he added, “We are now running this business as the third generation. During our father’s and grandfather’s time, macaroons were sold in larger sizes. Over time, we developed the ‘baby macaroon’, so people could enjoy them in just one bite. Today, we also make various types of macaroons using the original recipe—almond, pistachio, hazelnut, walnut, and more.”
- Location :
Thoothukkudi (Thoothukudi), India, India
- First Published:
May 13, 2025, 09:20 IST
SOURCE : NEWS 18
