The Surprising Origins of Your Favorite Desserts

Summary

This video delves into the fascinating history of some beloved desserts, tracing their origins from ancient times to modern-day treats. Discover how custard, rice pudding, shortbread, Jello, Pavlova, macaroons, cheesecake, and apple pie evolved from luxury dishes enjoyed by the rich to everyday delights. Learn about the key moments, like the invention of instant custard powder and the accidental creation of cream cheese, that transformed these desserts into global favorites. Whether you enjoy the sweet simplicity of shortbread or the rich history of cheesecake, this video highlights the evolution of iconic desserts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first custards were created in the Middle Ages, evolving from egg and milk mixtures used in pies and flans. Alfred Byrd invented instant custard powder in 1937, making custard more accessible.
• 😀 Snow-flavored desserts, like sorbet, date back to ancient civilizations, with emperors like Nero having servants fetch snow to mix with fruit juices. These treats remained rare and expensive until the 20th century.
• 😀 Rice pudding started as a medicinal dish in ancient China, India, and Persia, evolving into a sweet treat by the 1400s. It became affordable in the 19th and 20th centuries, enjoyed globally with various adaptations.
• 😀 Shortbread originated in Scotland in the 12th century, evolving from medieval biscuit bread. It was a luxury treat until it became more common in the 16th century, and today it is enjoyed year-round.
• 😀 Jello, made from gelatin, began as savory dishes in the 1400s using pig's feet. It was eventually sweetened and popularized by Pearl Bixby Wait in 1887, becoming the iconic dessert known today.
• 😀 The Pavlova dessert, named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, has competing origin stories between Australia and New Zealand, with both countries claiming credit for its modern form.
• 😀 Macaroons, which began as an almond-based cookie in Italy, eventually evolved into the coconut-based treat known today. The modern macaron, a French dessert, originated from these early recipes.
• 😀 The macaron, a delicate sandwich of almond-based cookies with filling, was popularized in France in the 16th century by Catherine de Medici and later by Carmelite nuns during the French Revolution.
• 😀 Cheesecake’s origins go back over 4,000 years to the Greeks, who believed it was an energy food. The modern version, featuring cream cheese, was accidentally created in 1872 when William Lawrence invented cream cheese.
• 😀 Apple pie is not originally American, with the first recorded recipe dating back to 1381 in England. The pastry shells were initially inedible, and sugar was a rare ingredient, with honey used instead.

Q & A

What was the first known use of eggs in desserts?

The ancient Romans were the first to discover that eggs could bind with other ingredients. However, it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that eggs were used to create the creamy texture we now associate with custard.

Who is credited with inventing instant custard powder?

Alfred Byrd invented instant custard powder in 1937, creating an egg-free alternative to traditional custard for his wife, who was allergic to eggs.

What was snow used for in ancient times?

In ancient civilizations, snow was flavored with fruit juice and served as a luxury treat. Emperors like Alexander the Great and Nero enjoyed this frozen dessert, though it was very expensive due to the difficulty of obtaining snow.

How did rice pudding evolve from a medicinal dish to a sweet treat?

Rice pudding originally started as a medicinal dish used to treat digestive ailments in ancient China, India, or Persia. Over time, it evolved into a savory dish and later, a sweet dessert with honey, sugar, and spices.

What is the origin of shortbread?

Shortbread originated in Scotland during the 16th century. It evolved from medieval biscuit bread, which was made from leftover bread dough and sweetened with spices and sugar. The buttery version we know today was a result of substituting yeast with butter.

How did Jello become popular?

Jello began as a savory gelatin dessert but became popular as a sweet treat in the late 19th century. Pearl Bixby Wait and his wife flavored the gelatin powder with fruit flavors and sugar in 1887, and it eventually became a household name under the Jello brand.

Where did the Pavlova dessert originate, and who is it named after?

Pavlova is a dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. There is a dispute between Australia and New Zealand over who invented it. Both countries claim to have created the meringue-based dessert in her honor in the 1920s.

How are macarons and macaroons related?

Despite their similar names, macarons and macaroons are different desserts. The macaroon is a coconut-based cookie that evolved from Italian monasteries, while the macaron, a meringue-based treat filled with cream, originated from the French adaptation of Italian recipes.

What was the original use of cheesecake in ancient Greece?

The first cheesecake is believed to have originated on the Greek island of Samos, where it was eaten by athletes at the Olympic Games for its energy-boosting properties. It was also a popular wedding cake choice.

How did apple pie evolve over the centuries?

Apple pie was first recorded in 1381 in England, long before the colonists brought apple seeds to the New World. Early recipes used honey as a sweetener and incorporated other fruits like raisins, figs, and pears. The modern apple pie evolved over time with improved pastry shells and sweeter fillings.