People around the country indulge every October 14th on National Dessert Day! Celebrated by way of the local bakery, grandma’s house, or chocolate shop, desserts include candies, pies, ice cream, fruits, cookies, pastries, cobblers, and donuts, too.
The available ingredients affect the range of desserts made in each region. The very first desserts required minimal effort or preparation since ancient cultures were more focused on the nutrition in foods to survive. Over the years, desserts have changed from natural candies and nuts to complex soufflés and multi-layered cakes. In modern culture, there are many more options available in desserts.
Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart. ~ Erma Bombeck
Throughout the year, we see seasonal delights. As we near the holiday season, the flavors change. For some, the taste of gingerbread or fruitcake may come to mind. Others will pull out recipes handed down for generations. Pecan, pumpkin, and apple pies come to mind. Other rich desserts round out the dessert table, too. Flan, tarts, and everything with maple glaze.
Are you a starter or a dessert person? If you fall into the latter category, you are going to love Dessert Day. This day provides us with the perfect excuse to let our sweet tooth take over. You can indulge in as many desserts as you wish, and no one can tell you to do otherwise! What could be better? From pastries and cakes to chocolates and mousses, there is a dessert for everyone. What’s your favorite?
If you do a little bit of digging online, you will see that there are some interesting facts and statistics about desserts and the most popular choices. Of course, you have probably heard of tiramisu, which is the world’s most famous Italian dessert. What about Sacher cake, from Austria, or Baklava, from Greece and the Middle East? Research different cultures and try new desserts on this day!
The origin of the word dessert comes from the French “desservir,” a word which here means “to clear the table.” This, of course, referenced the dish that came after clearing the main dishes served as part of the meal. The earliest references to the term dessert being used are in the 1600s and arrived at the same time as the concept of serving a meal in courses, letting each part of the meal be its own experience.
While it may seem like a no-brainer now, the idea of serving a sweet repast following the main meal wasn’t something that was always done. Those masters of decadence, the French, were known to serve a sweet wine as an aperitif, and it didn’t take long before the concept of sweet followings to the main dish became commonplace.
The birth of the sugar and honey trade helped to bolster the idea of dessert as it became easier to obtain sweeteners, though, for a long time, it was still known as a lush decadence reserved for the wealthy.
