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Sweetbread: meaning, definitions and examples

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sweetbread

 

[ ˈswētˌbred ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

culinary term

Sweetbread refers to the culinary name for the thymus gland or pancreas of an animal, particularly from lambs or calves. These organs are considered delicacies in various cuisines around the world, known for their tender texture and rich flavor. Sweetbreads are often prepared by grilling, sautéing, or frying, and can be served in a variety of dishes. Despite their name, they are not a type of bread but rather a gourmet delicacy that is appreciated by food enthusiasts.

Synonyms

pancreas, thymus

Examples of usage

  • I ordered sweetbreads at the gourmet restaurant.
  • The chef prepared the sweetbreads with a mushroom sauce.
  • Sweetbreads can be challenging to cook properly due to their delicate texture.
  • In French cuisine, sweetbreads are often featured in upscale dishes.

Translations

Translations of the word "sweetbread" in other languages:

🇵🇹 doce de pão

🇮🇳 मीठी ब्रेड

🇩🇪 Süßbrot

🇮🇩 roti manis

🇺🇦 солодкий хліб

🇵🇱 słodki chleb

🇯🇵 スイートブレッド

🇫🇷 pain sucré

🇪🇸 pan dulce

🇹🇷 tatlı ekmek

🇰🇷 스위트 브레드

🇸🇦 خبز حلو

🇨🇿 sladký chléb

🇸🇰 sladký chlieb

🇨🇳 甜面包

🇸🇮 sladki kruh

🇮🇸 sætt brauð

🇰🇿 татты нан

🇬🇪 ტკბილი პური

🇦🇿 şirin çörək

🇲🇽 pan dulce

Word origin

The term 'sweetbread' originates from the 15th century and has its roots in Old English. The word 'sweet' refers to the mild flavor of the glands and 'bread' is derived from the Old English 'brēad', which can mean 'piece' or 'food'. Historically, sweetbreads were highly prized in elite culinary circles in Europe, particularly during the Renaissance, when organ meats were more popular. The name has been somewhat misleading, as it does not relate to any form of bread but reflects the luxurious status of these delicacies in fine dining. Over time, sweetbreads have maintained their place in gourmet cooking, often featured in classic European recipes. Today, they are celebrated in modern cuisine as chefs explore traditional uses while also adapting techniques to suit contemporary palates.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,266, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.