belan

Belan is a term with multiple uses in different contexts. In culinary contexts, it most often refers to a rolling pin used in the Indian subcontinent and neighboring regions for flattening dough and shaping breads and pastries.

As a rolling pin, a belan is typically a cylindrical or slightly tapered wooden or metal tool, sometimes with handles at either end. It is used to roll out dough for chapati, roti, paratha, puri, samosas, and other flatbreads, as well as to thin dough for various pastries. Techniques vary by region and recipe, but the basic purpose is to achieve an even, thin sheet of dough. Materials range from traditional wood to modern composites, and sizes can vary to accommodate different culinary tasks.

Beyond the kitchen, belan can appear as a surname or as a place name in some regions. It may be used as a proper noun in geographic or personal names, and there are instances where villages or localities bear the name Belan. The term’s meaning can thus differ depending on language and context, and in written text it is typically disambiguated by accompanying description.

In summary, Belan most commonly denotes the rolling pin used for dough in South Asian cooking, but it also functions as a name in other contexts, including as a surname and as a toponym in various locales. The intended meaning is usually clarified by surrounding information.