DOCES TRADIÇÕES: A IDENTIDADE SERTANEJA NA CONFEITARIA DO CEARÁ

Abstract

Uncovering the origins of certain traditional sweets from the sertão of Ceará is a far more complex task than it may initially seem. In Brazil, tracing the history of a particular sweet or understanding the formation of national confectionery has never been simple, largely due to the diversity of peoples who contributed to the construction of the country’s gastronomic culture. In Ceará, this scenario is no different. Portuguese, African, and Indigenous influences were fundamental in shaping the local cuisine, and the fusion of these cultural elements gave rise to sweets with unique characteristics. The presence of sugarcane mills in the region, combined with recurrent droughts, helps explain the widespread use of sugar in these recipes — as is the case of the traditional alfenim. Beyond mere technique, sertanejo confectionery is deeply intertwined with traditions, rituals, and symbolism, often associated with religious celebrations and firmly rooted in the cultural identity of the sertão. This article presents a qualitative analysis, aiming to document and interpret the transformations that the confectionery of Ceará's sertão has undergone over the years.