What Does a Candlenut Do in Cooking? The Invisible Thickener of Southeast Asian Cuisine
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4 min read
The candlenut, known as *kemiri* in Indonesia and *buah keras* in Malaysia, is a cornerstone of Southeast Asian cooking, prized for its unique ability to create rich, creamy sauces and spice pastes. Understanding what a candlenut does in cooking is key to unlocking the velvety texture and deeply-layered flavors of many classic dishes.