Meringue
Meringue
Meringue (/məˈræŋ/ mə-RANG) is a type of dessert or candy, often associated with Swiss, French, and Italian cuisine, made from whipped egg whites and sugar, and occasionally an acid such as lemon, vinegar, or cream of tartar. A binding agent such as salt, cornstarch, or gelatin may also be added to the eggs.
Etymology
The word meringue came to English from French. The origin of the term is uncertain. It may have been derived from the town of Meiringen in Switzerland, or from the name of a Polish pastry meringa. However, these theories are speculative and the true etymology remains unknown.
Preparation
Meringue is made by beating egg whites until they become frothy, and then gradually adding sugar until the mixture becomes stiff. The sugar is gradually beaten into the egg whites after they have reached soft peaks, and the mixture is beaten until it is glossy and stiff.
Variations
There are three main types of meringue; the French Meringue, Italian Meringue, and Swiss Meringue. Each variation has slight differences in preparation and result.
French Meringue
The French meringue is the most common and is made by beating egg whites with caster sugar. The mixture is then baked at a low temperature until it is crisp.
Italian Meringue
Italian meringue is made by boiling a sugar syrup, and then whipping it into stiffly beaten egg whites until it is cool. This results in a much more stable soft meringue which can be used in various pastries without collapsing.
Swiss Meringue
Swiss meringue is prepared by gently beating egg whites and sugar in a pan that sits above boiling water, without touching it. When the mixture reaches 130°F (54°C) and the sugar is completely dissolved, the mixture is pulled off the heat and beaten vigorously to increase volume and then at a lower speed until cool and very stiff.
Related Terms
- Pavlova: A meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.
- Eton Mess: A traditional English dessert consisting of a mixture of strawberries, broken meringue, and whipped heavy cream.
- Lemon Meringue Pie: A type of baked pie, usually served for dessert, made with a crust usually made of shortbread or graham crackers, lemon custard filling, and a fluffy meringue topping.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Meringue
- Wikipedia's article - Meringue
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