Cambodia is famous for its rich culinary heritage, and one of the most delightful traditional treats is the Khmer Palm Cake (Num Thnot). This soft, fragrant cake is made from the juice of Cambodia’s beloved palm trees, offering a sweet and natural taste that perfectly captures the essence of local flavors. In this blog, we'll explore everything you need to know about Khmer Palm Cake—how to make it, where to buy it, its price, and interesting facts about this must-try Cambodian delicacy.
What is Khmer Palm Cake?
Khmer Palm Cake is a traditional Cambodian dessert made primarily from palm sugar, rice flour, and coconut. It's soft, spongy, and slightly sticky, with a golden-brown hue from the caramelized palm sugar. The subtle sweetness and coconut-infused flavor make it a unique and irresistible treat. It's often enjoyed as a snack or dessert, especially during festivals and celebrations.
How to Create Khmer Palm Cake: A Simple Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup palm sugar
1 cup rice flour
1/2 cup coconut cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly grated coconut (for garnish)
Instructions:
Prepare the Palm Sugar Syrup:
Dissolve palm sugar in a small amount of water over low heat until it becomes a syrup. Let it cool.
Mix the Batter:
In a large bowl, mix rice flour, salt, and the palm sugar syrup. Slowly stir in the coconut cream until you get a smooth batter.
Steam the Cakes:
Pour the batter into small banana leaf molds or a steamer tray, and steam the mixture for about 20-30 minutes until firm and cooked through.
Garnish and Serve:
Let the cakes cool down a bit, then garnish with freshly grated coconut before serving.
Khmer Palm Cake is best eaten fresh and warm, offering a perfect combination of sweetness and richness from the coconut.
Price of Khmer Palm Cake
The price of Khmer Palm Cake can vary depending on where you buy it. At local markets in Cambodia, you can find palm cakes for about $0.25 to $0.50 each. In more upscale shops or tourist areas, the price may go up to $1.00 per cake. When bought in bulk, such as during festivals, it’s often cheaper.
Where to Buy Khmer Palm Cake
Khmer Palm Cake is readily available at traditional markets and street stalls across Cambodia, especially in provinces like Siem Reap, Battambang, and Phnom Penh. Some of the best places to buy it include:
Phnom Penh Night Market: Located near the riverside, this market offers a wide variety of local delicacies, including palm cakes.
Siem Reap Old Market: Perfect for tourists looking to sample authentic Cambodian food, this market has several vendors selling Khmer Palm Cake.
Battambang Central Market: A lesser-known gem, this market is a hub for fresh, homemade Khmer desserts, including palm cakes.
For those outside of Cambodia, specialty Asian grocery stores may sell packaged versions of palm cake, but they lack the freshness of the locally-made ones.
Top Things to Know About Khmer Palm Cake
Natural Sweetness: The primary ingredient, palm sugar, is made from the sap of palm trees, giving the cake a natural sweetness that’s healthier than refined sugar.
Cultural Significance: Khmer Palm Cake is often associated with Cambodian festivals, religious offerings, and ceremonies, making it a symbol of tradition.
Best Time to Enjoy: The freshest palm cakes are usually made early in the morning, so it's best to visit markets during this time to get the freshest batch.
Unique Texture: The combination of rice flour and palm sugar gives it a fluffy yet slightly chewy texture, with a hint of caramel from the sugar.
Versatile Ingredient: Palm sugar, the key ingredient, is also used in other traditional Cambodian desserts like Num Ansom and palm sugar candies.
Khmer Palm Cake is not just a delicious snack but a reflection of Cambodia’s deep-rooted culinary traditions. Whether you're visiting Cambodia or exploring Southeast Asian cuisine, this cake is a must-try treat. You can enjoy it fresh from local markets or even try making it at home with a few simple ingredients. So, the next time you visit Cambodia or spot this sweet treat, don't miss out on indulging in its natural flavors and cultural significance!
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