Tamina (dessert)

Tamina

Tamena (tamina) of Blida.
Alternative names	Tamena, Taqnata or Takneta
Type	Sweet
Place of origin	Algeria
Main ingredients	semolina, Pistachio, sugared almonds, butter, melted honey

Tamina (Arabic: الطمينة) or “semolina cake,” is an ancient Algerian sweet consisting of toasted ground semolina, golden but not brown, butter, and melted honey. It is typically decorated with cinnamon, Pistachio or sugared almonds.^[1]

It's also called Tamena, Taqnata or Takneta is a delicious pastry, traditionally served in Algeria and Morocco on the occasion of a birth or Mawlid Ennabawi echarif (a religious holiday commemorating the birth of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad.) or it is served when celebrating the birth of a child but it can be prepared any day of the year.^[2]

There is another Algerian pastry called tamina (Rfiss Tousni), but this one is made with grilled semolina, butter and date paste (gharss).^[2] A delicious sweetness to accompany with a good Algerian mint tea or a latte at snack time. Tamina garnished with pine nuts for more delicacy.^[3]

Tamina is usually shared between a few people, as it is served in small plates and consumed with small spoons.