Who doesn’t love cookies? We’re all in luck then, because there are a plethora of options from around the globe when it comes to cookies!
Nobody can argue that cookies are delightful treats that bring joy to people of all ages and often take us back to those simpler days. From chewy chocolate chip cookies to delicate French macarons, cookies are found in many varieties across continents and cultures. Each unique flavor and texture offers you an appetizing journey into the rich tapestry of cookies found across the globe.
Starting with the most iconic and recognizable of cookie forms, the chocolate chip cookie that originated in the United States. Its simple but comforting blend of buttery dough and chocolate chips is the most familiar dietary experience from across the globe. It is only fair that we feature this worldwide favorite on top.
Perhaps a close second, the Italian Biscotti are a twice-baked, crunchy variation of the cookie with a dash of almonds or other nuts, hailing from Italy. It is traditionally enjoyed alongside coffee or a dessert wine. The biscotti itself can be flavorised in many ways such as anise, almond, or chocolate.
Next up we have these almond-based meringue cookies that look as delectable as they taste. These French treats are sandwiched together with ganache, buttercream, or fruit filling of your choice. You can find them in many appealing and bright colors and they carry a delicate variety of flavors such as raspberry, pistachio, and lavender.
Holiday seasons for the Germans are inseparable with these gingerbread cookies that are completely spiced with cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. With an addition of sugar or chocolate glaze, these cookies are an authentic delicacy that you can easily try and replicate in your own home.
These almond cookies prepared with almond flour or ground-up almonds are a popular snack in China. The intense nutty flavor and crispy texture make them a widely-loved treat that is regularly served at special occasions, personal gatherings, and even weddings. Their compact and bite-sized nature also makes them widely available across the country.
Powdered green tea or matcha has now become a global culinary trend although it originated and was popularized initially in Japan. Their unique grassy taste accompanied by its vibrant green shade allowed users to replace their usual green tea with something more complex and more healthy. The Japanese matcha-flavored cookies incorporate matcha into dough bringing out a truly unique cookie type that balances both sweetness and bitterness and ultimately leaves you with a savory aftertaste.
A variety of shortbread cookies, the Indian Nan Khatai with an extremely rich and savory treat that will make you want more. It is prepared in ghee (the Indian version of clarified butter), flour, sugar, and cardamom. These cookies are complemented by nuts and saffron and are known to melt in your mouth.
These thin, crispy cookies hailing from Sweden are spiced with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and hence possess a very powerful aroma and taste. They are a typical treat distributed in households during the Christmas season. You’ll often see the Pepparkakors in festive shapes and designs.
Kourabiedes are the Greek variety of shortbread biscuits often infused with butter and almonds, and heavily coated in powdered sugar. Their richness and buttery crumble are delicious highlights during weddings, holidays, and other celebrations. The Kourabiedes can be traced well back into Ottoman cuisine and are often paired with Libyan tea, Arabian coffee, and Maghrebi mint tea.
As this wholesome cookie list comes to an end, we’ve managed to cover the classic chocolate chip to the intricate French macaron. The world of cookies is a testament to the diversity in culinary traditions found in a highly multicultural world. These delectable treats will certainly satisfy our sweet cravings and also offer a glimpse into the unique flavors and techniques cherished in various corners of the globe.