Cheesecakes are a guilty pleasure for many people across the globe. They are rich in flavour and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This flavourful tart made with fresh cream and cheese on a biscuit base has some intriguing aspects that you must know. Let’s go!
1. The origin
Cheesecakes originate from the Greek island of Samos. Archaeologists have excavated cheese moulds that date back to circa 2,000 BCE. The cheesecakes in ancient Greece were pretty simple and had a handful of ingredients which included –
- Flour
- Cheese
- Wheat
- Honey
The tradition of wedding cakes dates back to this time. Greek brides and grooms joyfully served delicious cheesecakes at their weddings. The brides also baked and served cheesecakes to the groom and his friends as a gesture of hospitality.
The first recorded serving of cheesecakes dates back to the first Olympic games in 776 BC. The athletes were treated to freshly baked cheesecakes.
2. Spread of the recipe
The Romans spread the recipe of cheesecakes from Greece to the rest of Europe. Centuries later, we would see cheesecakes in several shapes and sizes in America. The recipe for the same came through the immigrants.
3. The development of modern cheesecake
The development of modern cheesecake can be called “accidental” in many ways. It was discovered by William Lawrence in 1872 in New York when he was looking for ways to recreate the soft French cheese. Incidentally, he came up with a way of whipping out an “unripened cheese” that was way heavier and creamier than what he was looking for. Later, the other dairymen came up with their ways of creating the same.
4. The modern cheesecake is a misnomer.
Yes, the cheesecake isn’t a cake. There are two explanations for it –
- It can be called a torte as numerous eggs are used for leavening it.
- The overall structure, separation of the crust, absence of flour and soft filling bring it closer to a custard pie
5. New York cheesecakes are the most famous ones.
Everyone has a loving image of a New York cheesecake in their mind. The locals believe that the great bakers and connoisseurs that hail from New York have made cheesecake what it is today. Back in the 1900s, almost every restaurant in New York had its version of the dessert.
6. There is a cheesecake factory.
Is your mouth watering already? The Cheesecake Factory Inc, a restaurant company and distributor of cheesecakes based in the U.S.A, has branches at more than 200 locations in the United States. Its extensive menu boasts of more than 250 items.
7. The most expensive cheesecake
The price tag attached to the most expensive cheesecake ever made read $4592.42. Chef Raffaele Ronca baked this cheesecake with ingredients like gold leaves, buffalo ricotta and white truffle in New York in 2017.
8. The largest cheesecake
Cheeseberry Company created the enormous record-making cheesecake weighing a whopping 4,240 kgs in the Russian Federation in 2017. The diameter was 9ft and 2 inches, and it stood tall at 2ft and 9 inches.
9. You don’t need to bake a cheesecake.
Though the name implies it, and many of us prefer cooking it that way, you need not bake a cheesecake. You can choose to freeze it as well. Baking as an integral component stems from the American version.
10. The most expensive cheesecake served currently
Some of the most expensive cheesecakes come from Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. The design is mesmerizing, and the cheesecakes look like cute little Christmas gifts. Some people pay the hefty price tag of $300 for the design alone.
11. Cheesecakes can be savoury too.
As we discussed earlier, many people have come up with their versions of this beloved recipe. You can feast on garlic-flavoured cheesecakes in certain parts of the world. If you wish to experiment, you can even find the recipe online.
12. The U.S.A is obsessed with cheesecakes.
We mean it. Have a look at these events –
- National Cheesecake Day in the U.S.A – 31st July
- Blueberry Cheesecake Day – 26th May
- White Chocolate Cheesecake Day – 6th March
As you can notice, there is not just one but three calendar dates dedicated to cheesecakes. Several restaurants serve cheesecakes at a lower cost on these dates.
13. The bottom line
If you have started dreaming of cheesecakes while going through this article, let us relieve you by telling you that cheesecakes are healthy too. They contain Vitamin A and a lot of proteins owing to the cheese content. Nothing is holding you back now. Reach out to Cake Buzz and order your treat today!