Going back to the States to visit friends and family usually requires two suitcases: one for clothes, shoes, books, toiletries, and souvenirs and one for stroopwafels.Friends, family, even my mom's students call or email/message me with requests. If I started charging, I could easily make a fortune. The way they are desperately gobbled up, I'm convinced that I could easily charge whatever I wanted per pack and these people would pay it without a second thought.
In the States, grocer Trader Joe's now carries stroopwafels and they can also be found at various "world markets" and expat food stores. There are also loads of online specialty shops that deliver all kinds of Dutch food and souvenirs to the US and other parts of the world.
The franchise Typical Dutch Stuff has even branched out to include mission of providing the US with original Dutch stroopwafels without the high overseas shipping costs.You can check them out at iLoveStroopwafels.
So now that you know that people love them and where you can get your hands on them, what are they exactly?
First, it's important to get the pronunciation correct. Many Americans pronounce the 'oo' in stroopwafel as they would in words like 'goop' or 'soup.' However, in Dutch, the 'oo' as a long 'o,' typically found in English words like 'nope' or 'rope.'
Stroopwafels are two thin, crispy waffle-like cookies with a soft, gooey syrup filling. Here in the Netherlands, you can find stroopwafels with original, honey, and carmel filling at any grocery store. Particularly delicious are the giant Super Stroopwafels that can be found at outdoor markets. They make the stroopwafels right before your very eyes!
They are best served slightly warm so the syrup is slightly melted or on the side of a hot cup of coffee or tea. But, if you're not able to get your hands on a microwave or a hot beverage, they are equally delicious right out of the package.
We have the city of Gouda here in the Netherlands to thank for this delecacy. Originally made in 1784, their purpose was to be consumed during coffee and tea time.
I don't know about you, but all this talk about stroopwafels has me craving one. Off to the market I go!
Photo: kthread, Flickr
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