The softness of a perfect red velvet cake, the tartness of the blueberries in a pie, the way a perfect pannacotta wobbles and the burst of the sweetness of that moist chom chom. These are some of the most mouth-watering, delectable desserts we all have eaten but have you ever wondered about their existence?
If you like me love desserts and can eat them anytime of the day (or night), then go on and enlighten yourself a little more about these lovely sweet treats and their origins.
1. Red Velvet Cake
Origin: United States Of America
Traces of this divine, oh so mouth watering dessert dates back to the 19th century. Though not very popular then, red velvet is one dessert everyone drools over. Our beloved cake got its colour because a trader wanted to sell more dye. As the story goes, John Adams, owner of The Adams Extract Company wanted to sell more dyes and food colours after Drug and Cosmetic Act was passed in 1938. And he thought, what better way than a red cake!
2. Dulce De Leche
Origin: South America
This is one hell of a story. The story revolves around the 19th-century military leader Juan Manuel de Rosas. One winter afternoon at Rosas residence, the maid was making a drink with milk and sugar, waiting for it to caramelise. She heard a knock on the door and when to check who it was. By the time, she returned, the milk was burnt and turned brown jam and that’s how Dulce De Leche was born.
3. Banoffee Pie
Origin: England
Nigel Mackenzie along with his chef Ian Dowding invented this scrumptious pie in Britain at The Hungry Monk Restaurant in East Sussex in England around 1971. Interestingly, the name ‘Banoffee’ was given by Nigel himself, it’s combination and abbreviation of the syllables in the ingredients ‘toffee’ and ‘banana’. It was meant to be a temporary name but it seemed to stick around for good.
4. Black Forest Cake
Origin: Germany
In German ‘Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte’ literally means ‘Black Forest Cherry Torte.’ In 1915, Joseph Keller made the first black forest cake. ‘Kirschwasser’ is a clear liqueur made from sour cherries. In fact, there is a German law that ‘Kirschwasser’ must be present in the cake for it to be called as a Black Forest Cake. Ironically, the name of the cake isn’t derived from a forest or a mountain range in Germany but on the basis of the liqueur.
5. Chocolate Truffle
Origin: France
Chocolate truffle was created accidentally by French culinary expert August Escoffier. While making pastry cream instead of mixing hot cream with an egg mixture, he ended up mixing with chocolate chunks. The mixture thickened and the chef realised he could make a rough sphere. He then coated his novel creation with cocoa powder. And that’s how chocolate truffle came into existence. They got the name ‘Truffle’ after their uncanny resemblance to black truffle fungus.
6. Falooda
Origin: Iran
This cool sweet drink originated in Shiraz in Persia, now present day Iran. Known as Faludeh, it is one of the oldest desserts with its origins dating back since 400 BC. Falooda was introduced in South East Asia by the Mughals.
7. Panna Cotta
Origin: Italy
Panna Cotta means ‘cooked cream’ in Italian. It is said to be originated in the Piedmont region of Italy. In 2001, Piedmont included Panna Cotta in their list of their traditional food products.
8. Cinnamon Roll
Origin: Sweden
The first Cinnamon roll or ‘Kanelbulle’ were first made in Sweden in 1920s. The Swedes love their Cinnamon roll so much that every year October 4th is celebrated as ‘National Cinnamon Roll Day.’
9. Churros
Origin: Spain/Portugal
Some people believe that Churros were an invention of a nomadic Shepard tribe “Navajo-Churro” from Spain. The horns of the ‘Churra’ sheep resemble the shape of this fried delicacy. The other theory is that Portuguese sailors came across a similar type of food in China and carried the recipe back.
10. Blueberry Pie
Origin: Canada
Canadians love blueberries, in fact, April 28th is National Blueberry Pie Day there. Blueberry pie finds its name in the Appledore Cook Book in 1872.
11.Gelato
Origin: Italy
‘Gelato’ literally means ‘frozen’ in Italian. But in colloquial terms, it is used to describe the Italian ice cream. The history dates back to the 16th century. No one knows who invented Gelato but as far as stories go, it was Bernardo Buontalenti from Florence who enchanted the court of Ceterina Dei Medici with his cold creation. However, the most popular proponent of Gelato is Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli who sold first sold it to the public. In 1686, he travelled to Paris and opened “Café Procope,” which quickly became one of the most celebrated places for serving Gelato.
12.Crème Brûlée
Origin: France/ England
Crème Brûlée has many names like Crème Anglaise, Burnt Cream. It supposedly first appeared in Massialot’s 1691 cookbook. Its origins may be french but a few claim that it was the first version of Crème Brûlée was made at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1879. Therefore, it is also known as “Trinity Cream” or “Cambridge burnt cream.”
13. Marshmallows
Origin: Egypt
Marshmallows were first used in ancient Egypt as a medicine. The roots were used with honey to cure a sore throat. Later on, sap from the plant was mixed with honey and nuts. In modern times, the pit of the marshmallow plant is used. Stems of the plants were peeled and boiled in sugar syrup. They were then dried to produce a soft, chewy confection.
14. Chom Chom
Origin: Bangladesh
This yummy super delicious Bengali sweet originates from Porabari, Tangail, Bangladesh. This sweet is extremely famous in India and Bangladesh.
15. Pavlova
Origin: New Zealand
Pavlova was first made in New Zealand in 1926 in honour of a Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova who was on her tour then. Pavlova is a soft cake with a crispy crust and is one of the traditional dishes of New Zealand and Australia.
Well, all I can say that there are so many delicious desserts around the globe and such little time. What are you waiting for? Start binging. 🙂