sirottelu

Sirottelu is a Finnish noun that denotes the act or result of sprinkling small quantities of a substance. The term is commonly used in cooking to describe the light distribution of powders, such as sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, or grated cheese, over a dish or baked good. It can also refer to the act of lightly scattering seeds, herbs, or other seasonings over a surface in gardening or culinary preparation. In a broader sense, sirottelu conveys the idea of fine, even dispersion achieved by a light shaking or dusting action.

Etymology and forms: Sirottelu derives from the verb sirottaa, meaning to sprinkle or scatter; related forms include sirotella and siroteltu. The root is connected to Finnish terminology for distribution across a surface, from coarse to fine.

Usage: In recipes, sirottelu is often listed as a finishing step, performed just before serving to add texture or aroma without significantly altering moisture content. In gardening or agriculture, the term describes uniform deposition of granular materials using a shaker or hand-dusting technique. The concept is widely used in Finnish-language cookbooks, gardening guides, and lifestyle writing.

See also: sirotella, sirottaa, dusting (culinary technique).