Additional Coverage:
- 10 of the Oldest Desserts in History (blog.cheapism.com)
Sweet Treats with a History: 10 Desserts Enjoyed for Centuries
Indulging in a sweet treat after a meal is a timeless pleasure. Dessert’s history is as rich as its flavor, stretching back centuries, even millennia.
While some desserts have faded into the past, others have endured. Here are ten treats enjoyed today that boast a long and fascinating history.
Baklava: This delectable pastry, layered with phyllo dough, nuts, and honey, predates both Greece and Turkey. Evidence suggests baklava existed as early as 800 BC in the Assyrian Empire.
While the core ingredients remain, variations exist. Greek versions traditionally use walnuts, while Turkish baklava often features pistachios.
Cheesecake: The creamy indulgence of cheesecake dates back to the ancient Aegean Sea between 800 and 700 BC. The recipes we savor today likely blend Roman and Greek influences, following the Roman conquest of Greece in 146 BC.
Fruit Tarts: The Middle Ages, particularly the Renaissance, saw a surge in the popularity of sweet pastries. Prior to this period, pastries were often savory. These open-faced, sweet pies were a special treat.
Kheer: This classic Indian pudding, a mixture of milk, sugar, cardamom, and nuts, has been enjoyed for thousands of years. Its presence in ancient Indian texts, including “The Legend of the Chessboard,” highlights its enduring appeal. Kheer remains a popular offering in temples and during festivals.
Bread Pudding: Resourcefulness in the kitchen is nothing new. Using stale bread to create something delicious dates back to the 11th century. Bread pudding exemplifies this culinary ingenuity.
Honey and Spice Cake: This simple cake might be the oldest dessert on our list. References to honey and spice cakes appear in Homer’s “Odyssey.” Regional variations, incorporating ingredients like yeast in Egypt and barley in Europe, showcase its widespread appeal.
Halva: The origins of this dense, sweet confection are debated, with various Middle Eastern cultures claiming its creation. Whether from Arabia or Persia, its nutty, fudge-like texture is universally loved.
Donuts: While fried dough has existed for centuries, the ring-shaped donut we know and love is an American invention, popularized in late 19th-century Manhattan. Originally called “oily cakes,” the “donut” rebranding proved a stroke of genius.
Sesame Candy: Sesame candy boasts a global history, with roots in ancient Greece, Rome, China, and beyond. Once ubiquitous, these sweet treats are now often associated with gas station snacks.
Pecan Pie: This distinctly American dessert owes its existence to Native American tribes, who utilized pecans for various purposes, including medicine pouches and wampum belts, in addition to culinary delights.
Read More About This Story:
- 10 of the Oldest Desserts in History (blog.cheapism.com)