Traditional steamed cakes compete with hamburgers, pizzas

 

(Num Ansrom)

PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) - During Pchum Ben and other festivals, many Cambodians prepare steamed cakes wrapped in banana leaves.

"Num Ansorm" contain glutinous rice with fillings such as banana, coconut, pork or mung beans whereas "Num Korm" comprise glutinous flour with sweet green bean paste.


While the tradition has been passed on from generation to generation, the origins of the cakes are not widely known.

Experts, however, say the cakes have sexual connotations with Num Ansorm representing a Hindu god and Num Korm representing a Hindu goddess.

"Long ago, people made these cakes to welcome guests visiting their houses," said Sok Kosal, a former lecturer at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. "Hinduism remains in our Khmer beliefs even though people accepted Buddhism and abandoned Hinduism in the 12th century."

An elderly person who asked not to be named noted the irony of cakes of Hindu origin were being offered to Buddhist monks. "It's hard to differentiate between Hinduism and Buddhism in our religion," this person said.

A traditional cake vendor who identified herself as Heang said she sometimes made more than 200 steamed cakes a day but other times less than 120.

"They're not highly preferred and they're hard to keep fresh," she said. "Now people like burgers or pizzas."

Others say they have given up making such cakes at home because of the time involved or because their children prefer to buy food outside.