Kruidnoten

When children come to witness Sinterklaas' arrival to the country, it is normal to receive a handful of kruidnoten from one of his helpers called Piet. At home, during Sinterklaas eve, kruidnoten and other candies are thrown around. Children consider it a form of entertainment to go around and collect the dropped candies. In earlier days it was habit to throw around kruidnoten on the pavement and at schools during visits of Sinterklaas, too. At a certain moment, maybe because of hygiene concerns,{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} this became less common. At school, visiting Zwarte Pieten now tend to lay down a pile or small bag on the student's desk or directly in the child's hand.{{cite web|url=https://www.laurasbakery.nl/het-verhaal-achter-strooigoed/|title=Article: The story behind "strooigoed" (Sinterklaas candy for throwing).|date=26 November 2017 |publisher=Laura's Bakery|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021}} Although some guess this throwing around has a deeper meaning, comparable to the throwing of rice at weddings it is most likely a symbol of Sinterklaas' generosity.

Some schools and supermarkets organize make-them-yourself sessions.{{cite web|url=https://indebuurt.nl/delft/doen/leuk-voor-kinderen-deze-supermarkt-houdt-een-kruidnootjes-bakmiddag-met-pietendiploma~88663/|title=Supermarket invitation to come bake kruidnoten (2019).|date=13 November 2019 |publisher=In De Buurt Delft|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ikchetplankier.nl/Actueel/Fotos/AlbumID/43774-49286/|title=School hosts Sinterklaas event for their students (2020).|publisher=IKC Het Plankier|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021}} Children are given pre-made dough and are tasked to shape them into kruidnoten.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Kruidnoten were not consumed by the Flemish for a long time and no traditions exist, but around the late 2010s, interest in them grew.{{cite web|url=https://www.marketingconcurrent.nl/verschillen-feestdagen-nederland-en-belgie/|title=Sinterklaas differences between The Netherlands and Belgium.|publisher=Marketing Concurrent|language=nl|accessdate=11 April 2021|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411220810/https://www.marketingconcurrent.nl/verschillen-feestdagen-nederland-en-belgie/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pzc.nl/brugge/pepernotenfabriek-opent-eerste-winkel-in-belgie~a302d8a27/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F|title=Article: Pepernoten factory opens first store in Belgium.|publisher=PZC|language=nl|accessdate=11 April 2021}} Instead of kruidnoten, Zwarte Piet throws letter-shaped biscuits that come with different names depending on the region, like "karolientjes", "mokskes", "pieknieken", or "nicnacjes".{{cite web|url=https://schrijf.be/nl/blog/sinterklaas-brengt-lekkere-mokskes|title=Sinterklaas brings delicious mokskes|publisher=Schrijf.be|language=nl, nl-be|accessdate=11 April 2021}}

In the Netherlands, kruidnoten are one of the most popular and recognizable candies during the Sinterklaas period. During the 21st century the recipe has become the subject of experimentation.{{cite web|url=https://droptelegram.nl/top-5-meest-gegeten-sinterklaas-snoep/|title=Top 5 most eaten Sinterklaas sweets.|publisher=Droptelegram|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nu.nl/eten-en-drinken/5598863/kaas-bubbelgum-of-karamel-zeezout-populairste-kruidnoot.html|title=Article: What's the most popular kruidnoot?|date=29 November 2018 |publisher=Nu|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021}} Pop-up shops, fully devoted to selling the many variants that have been produced over the years, have become a yearly sight in many cities.{{cite web|url=https://www.followmyfootprints.nl/pepernotenwinkels-en-pepernoten-pop-up-stores-met-de-lekkerste-kruidnoten/|title=Blog: Pepernoten stores and pepernoten pop-up stores with the best kruidnoten.|date=30 November 2020 |publisher=Follow My Footprints|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_EYXCcz33M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/7_EYXCcz33M |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Local news report: Kruidnoten pop-up store coming to Enschede.|publisher=1Twente Enschede|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021}}{{cbignore}} The common grocery and candy store has a selection to choose from as well.{{cite web|url=https://www.ah.nl/producten/snoep-koek-chips/sint-lekkernijen/pepernoten-kruidnoten|title=Complete product line available at Albert Heijn grocery store.|publisher=Albert Heijn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201181303/https://www.ah.nl/producten/snoep-koek-chips/sint-lekkernijen/pepernoten-kruidnoten|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021|archive-date=2020-12-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jamin.nl/|title=Complete product line available at Jamin candy store.|publisher=Jamin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202041343/https://www.jamin.nl/|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021|archive-date=2020-12-02}} Besides the regular variant and [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/strooigoed packages that include gummies and sugar candies] kruidnoten can be covered with a layer of (white/milk/pure/truffle) chocolate.[https://www.nu.nl/eten-en-drinken/5598863/kaas-bubbelgum-of-karamel-zeezout-populairste-kruidnoot.html which is one of the earliest and most loved variants] Some large retailers such as Albert Heijn and Jamin and producers such as Van Delft provide many types with other flavors. In 2021 they offered:{{cite web|url=https://www.vandelftchocolates.nl/nl/pepernoten/alle-pepernoten/|title=Complete product line available at the Van Delft factory.|publisher=vandelftchocolates.nl|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512120947/https://www.vandelftchocolates.nl/nl/pepernoten/alle-pepernoten/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ah.nl/producten/snoep-koek-chips/sint-lekkernijen/pepernoten-kruidnoten|title=Complete product line available at Albert Heijn grocery store.|publisher=Albert Heijn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201181303/https://www.ah.nl/producten/snoep-koek-chips/sint-lekkernijen/pepernoten-kruidnoten|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021|archive-date=2020-12-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jamin.nl/|title=Complete product line available at Jamin candy store.|publisher=Jamin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202041343/https://www.jamin.nl/|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021|archive-date=2020-12-02}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|

• Caramel (usually with sea salt)
• Powdered sugar (additional ingredient to other variants)
• Coconut
• Butterscotch
• Tiramisu
• Crème brûlée
• Stracciatella
• Yogurt
• Stroopwafel
• Tompouce
• Macaroon
• Speculoos (Flemish variant of speculaas; not spicy, softer texture)
• Liquorice
• Salmiak
• Sour rolls (Fruit Roll-Up covered with sour sugar)
• Ginger
• Cinnamon
• Hazelnut
• Pistachio
• Anise
• Peanut butter
• Toffee
• Honey
• Cheese
• Bubblegum
• Cola
• "Rainbow/Unicorn" (sugar coated, with the main appeal being the colorful look of the kruidnoten; a product solely targeted at small children)
• Alcohol:
• Licor 43
• Prosecco
• Limoncello
• Gin and tonic
• Fruit:
• Strawberry
• Blueberry
• Raspberry
• Cranberry
• Orange
• Melon
• Banana
• Passion fruit
• Lemon
• Lime
• Coffee:
• Cappuccino
• Irish coffee
• Caffè macchiato
• Cake/pie:
• Cheesecake
• Carrot cake
• Apple pie
• Red velvet
• Pumpkin spice

}}

File:Kruidnoten with candies- "Strooigoed".jpg|Kruidnoten with candies, called "strooigoed"

File:Chocolate-covered kruidnoten.jpg|Kruidnoten with a layer of chocolate, called "chocoladekruidnoten"

• Some years food producers, like Bolletje[https://bolletje.nl/ Bolletje] or consumer organisations hold contests or ask people to introduce and vote for a new flavor.{{cite web|url=https://qmusic.nl/acties/de-smaakvolste-verkiezing-van-nederland|title=Kruidnoten flavor contest, hosted by Bolletje.|publisher=Qmusic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409170223/https://qmusic.nl/acties/de-smaakvolste-verkiezing-van-nederland|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021|archive-date=2021-04-09}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ad.nl/koken-en-eten/bedenk-jij-de-kruidnotensmaak-van-2019~a0eaa3f7/|title=Kruidnoten flavor contest, hosted by 24Kitchen.|publisher=AD|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021}}
• Though perceivably different; some Dutch residents mistakenly call kruidnoten "pepernoten" and stores list them under this category as well.{{cite web|url=https://onzetaal.nl/taaladvies/pepernoten-kruidnoten|title=Article: What's the difference between pepernoten and kruidnoten?|publisher=Onze Taal|language=nl|accessdate=19 November 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goeievraag.nl/vraag/kruidnoten-tegenwoordig-pepernoten-genoemd.29868|title=Forum conversation: "Why are kruidnoten being called pepernoten these days?"|publisher=Startpagina/GoeieVraag!|language=nl|accessdate=19 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027125037/http://www.startpagina.nl/v/eten-drinken/overig/vraag/29868/kruidnoten-tegenwoordig-pepernoten-genoemd|archive-date=27 October 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bol.com/nl/l/pepernoten/N/54736/|title=The "pepernoten" category page at the Bol online store.|publisher=Bol|language=nl|accessdate=9 April 2021}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Kruidnoten}}

Category:Dutch confectionery

Category:Dutch words and phrases

Category:Sinterklaas food