Leche

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/leche

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the culinary classification?Baked custard dessert characterized by a gelatinous texture and caramel topping
2. What is leche and why is it called a custard dessert?Leche is a sweet, creamy dessert made from milk, eggs, and sugar. It is called custard because the eggs thicken the milk into a smooth, set mixture.
3. How is leche cooked so it stays smooth and not rubbery?Leche is baked in a water bath, which heats it gently and evenly. This prevents the eggs from overcooking and keeps the texture silky.

Protein Coagulation: The process where proteins change their structure and bond together when heated, forming a solid network.
Bain-marie: A water bath cooking technique that provides gentle, even heat, crucial for delicate custards.
Caramelization: The browning of sugars when heated, creating complex flavors and colors.