Cajeta de Celaya

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Homemade Cajeta being poured into jars.

Cajeta is a Mexican confection of thickened syrup usually made of sweetened caramelized milk.

In september, 2010, Cajeta was declared the Bicentennial Dessert of Mexico, honouring its history, tradition and origin. Cajeta was born in the city of Celaya, Guanajuato, the state where the Independence of Mexico started back in 1810 with the famous "Grito de Dolores" by father Miguel Hidalgo. In Celaya, Hidalgo was named Captain General of America by his staff, making Cajeta an important element of the Independence War as it was easily stored and ported, lasting for several months without decomposing, thus becoming an important food complement for the poorly fed troops.

According to chef Rick Bayless, the name for cajeta came from the Spanish phrase al punto de cajeta, which means a liquid thickened to the point at which a spoon drawn through the liquid reveals the bottom of the pot in which it is being cooked. However, it is more popularly assumed that it takes its name from the small wooden boxes it was traditionally packed in. Mexican cajeta is considered a specialty of and popularly associated with the city of Celaya in the state of Guanajuato, although it is also produced with the traditional method in several towns of the state of Jalisco, such as Mazamitla and Sayula.

Cajeta is made by simmering sweetened liquid, stirring frequently, until it becomes very thick due to evaporation of water, and caramelised. While milk is the most usual base, other liquids or juices may be used.

Cajeta, finished product of Wal-Mart Mexico, typically produced with goat's milk and white wine

In Celaya, and eventually the rest of Mexico, the confection of half goat's milk and half cow's milk became known by the name cajeta, but elsewhere, the milk candy is known as leche quemada, dulce de leche, et al. It has cousins in the many Indian milk-based sweets like pera and the milk fudge burfi, and in the opera fudge of the U.S.. Cajeta is eaten on its own as a sweet, as a spread or filling for breads and pastries, and as a topping for ice cream.

Certain liquors are added to special cajeta recipes called "Cajeta Envinada." In addition, "Cajeta Envinada Especial" is enriched with raisins, almonds, pecans or nuts. Often topping crêpes, in a sweet sauce boiled and softened down with milk to soak the crepes, resulting in a tasty dessert.

Recent events

In 2005, the Hershey Company introduced a line of cajeta flavored confections styled "Cajeta Elegancita", targeted at Mexican-food aficionados living in the United States. The marketing decision made headlines when it was discovered that the word is a risqué term for the vulva in Argentinian parlance.

In 2006, San Antonio, Texas-based grocery chain H-E-B introduced "Cajeta" flavored ice cream.

In 2010, Cajeta is declared oficial Bicentennial Dessert of Mexico.

See also

• Penuche

References

ENCICLOPEDIA DE MEXICO(2001). Enciclopedia de México.. Mexico City,Mexico: Enciclopedia de México.
EDITORIAL PORRÚA, S.A. (1964). Diccionario Porrúa. Historia, biografía y geografía de México.. Mexico City, Mexico: Editorial Porrúa, S.A.