retseptiraamat

Retseptiraamat is the Estonian term for a book that collects culinary recipes. The word is a compound of retsept 'recipe' and raamat 'book'. It functions as a portable reference for cooking, baking, and meal planning.

Typical content includes ingredient lists with quantities, step-by-step preparation methods, serving sizes, and times. Many entries include notes, substitutions, and tips. Categories may be grouped by course, main ingredient, cuisine, or alphabet. Illustrations or photographs are common in more modern or commercial retseptiraamatud; older ones may be text-only.

Origins and use: cookbooks have long served to preserve and transmit cooking knowledge across generations. In Estonia, as elsewhere, households and communities compiled personal collections of recipes, which evolved into printed volumes and, more recently, digital formats. Modern retseptiraamatud can be physical books, e-books, or online repositories and apps.

Scope and variations: professional cookbooks, regional or thematic cookbooks (for example pastries, soups, or vegetarian cuisine) are common. Some emphasize traditional Estonian dishes, while others cover international cuisines. Nutritional information or dietary guidance may be included in some editions.

Related concepts include cookbooks, recipe collections, and Estonian cuisine.