mürbe

Mürbe is a German adjective that translates to "crumbly" or "brittle" in English. It is most commonly used to describe the texture of baked goods, particularly cookies, shortbread, and certain types of pastries. A mürbe dough is characterized by its high fat content, which coats the flour particles and prevents the development of gluten. This results in a tender and easily breakable texture when baked. Beyond culinary contexts, "mürbe" can also be used metaphorically to describe something or someone that is weak, easily overcome, or lacking in resilience. For example, a negotiator might be described as mürbe if they are easily swayed or unwilling to stand firm on their demands. The word originates from Middle High German "mürbe" and ultimately from Proto-Germanic "*murbaz."