Cake is an ancient pastry usually made in an oven, with eggs, sugar, and wheat flour as the main ingredients. Using milk, fruit juice, milk powder, fragrant powder, salad oil, water, shortening, and baking powder as auxiliary ingredients. After stirring, mixing and baking, it is made into a sponge like Dim sum.
Cake is a type of pasta, usually sweet, and a typical cake is made by baking. Cake materials mainly include flour, sweetener (usually sucrose), adhesive (generally eggs, vegetarians can replace gluten and starch), shortening (generally butter or artificial butter, and low-fat cakes will be replaced by concentrated fruit juice), liquid (milk, water or fruit juice), essence and starter (such as yeast or yeast).
The earliest cakes were made with a few simple ingredients.
These cakes are symbols of ancient religious myths and miraculous superstitions. The early economic and trade routes led to the import of exotic spices from the Far East to the north, nuts, nectar, citrus fruits, dates, and figs from the Middle East, and sugarcane from Eastern and Southern countries.
In the dark era of Europe, these rare ingredients were only possessed by monks and nobles, and their pastry creations included things like honey gingerbread and flat hard biscuits. Slowly, with the increasing frequency of trade, the dietary habits of Western countries have also completely changed.
The soldiers and Arab merchants who returned home from the Crusades spread the use of spices and Middle Eastern recipes. In several major commercial towns in Central Europe, baking master guilds have also been organized. By the end of the Middle Ages, spices had been widely used by wealthy families throughout Europe, further enhancing the imaginative pastry baking techniques. When nuts and sugar became popular, almond puree also became popular. This almond puree was baked using wooden relief molds, and the patterns on the molds were closely related to religious teachings.
Cakes originated in the West and were gradually introduced to China later.
The Origin of Birthday Cake
In medieval Europe, it was believed that birthdays were the day when the soul was most susceptible to invasion by demons. Therefore, on birthdays, family and friends would gather around to give blessings and give cakes to bring good luck and drive away demons.
Birthday cake, originally only a king was eligible to have it, and everyone could buy a beautiful cake on their birthday and enjoy the blessings given by everyone.
The Origin of Full Moon Cake
When the baby is full moon, it is inevitable to pray to the gods and ancestors, and then shave the fetal hair. Adults always hope that the baby will grow up quickly. On the day of the full moon, grandparents will give their little baby many full moon cakes, hoping that their grandson (daughter) can win the first prize and live a happy life.
With the progress of the times, giving a cake at the full moon means "puffing hair", wishing the baby a prosperous future.
The Origin of Wedding Cake
Wedding cake, according to legend, first appeared in the ancient Roman era. The term cake comes from English and originally means flat and round bread, which also means "happiness and happiness".
In ancient times, when wealthy children held weddings, they would make a specially made cake. Not only did the groom and bride eat it together at the wedding banquet, but they also invited congratulatory guests to eat the cake. Guests expect themselves to also share the happiness of the newlywed couple. Therefore, at that time, the cake was cut open on the bride's head.
Guests invited to weddings in Europe also have a habit of stacking their own bread filled with spices high on the table, allowing the groom and bride to kiss on both sides of the "bread mountain" across the mountain. At this time, Bread Mountain also symbolizes happiness.
The initial method of making a cake was no different from bread. Mixing milk and flour together to make a flat circular cake.
The Origin of Black Forest Cake
In fact, the translation of Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte as "Black Forest Cherry Cream Cake" would be more appropriate. Because the full German name Schwarzwalder means Black Forest, and Kirschtorte means cherry cream cake. Upon careful study, as Black Forest puts it, it is truly just a cherry cream cake without chocolate.
According to legend, in ancient times, whenever there was a cherry harvest in the Black Forest area, farmers not only made excess cherry sauce, but also generously stuffed cherries into the layers of the cake or carefully decorated them one by one when making cakes. When making fresh cream for cakes, a lot of cherry juice is added, and this cake, which is mainly made of cherries and fresh cream, has become known as the "Black Forest cake" since it spread from the Black Forest to other places!
The real protagonist of Black Forest cake is still the delicious and rich cherries! Previously, there were cases in Germany where consumers complained about a certain black forest cake having too little cherry content. Therefore, the German government has also made relevant regulations for this national treasure level black forest, such as the fresh cream part of the black forest cake, which must contain at least 80 grams of cherry blossom juice!
So Black Forest really doesn't mean black. And Black Forest cake is not synonymous with chocolate cake. The Black Forest is a mountainous area located in southwestern Germany, from Baden Baden to Freiburg, all of which belong to the Black Forest region. Even if you come to the Black Forest, you may not be lucky enough to taste the chocolate free Black Forest cake everywhere. However, when you have the opportunity to enjoy the Black Forest here, you may want to pay close attention to the small cherries in the cake, so that you can rediscover the outside of the Black Forest and also feel the freshness hidden deep in your taste buds.
The Origin of Vienna Chocolate Almond Cake
The Hotel Imperial opened in 1873 and was once a gathering place for the wealthy. From the "k.u.k Hof imperial" during the imperial period to the later "Hotel lmperial", it has always been the best hotel in Austria. In 1994, it was even selected as one of the best hotels in the world.
There is also a small legend here. In order to celebrate the opening of the restaurant and showcase the glory of Emperor Franz Joseph, a cake baked by pastry chef Xaver Loibner with a special taste was not only loved by the emperor, but also named "Imperial Torte" and regarded as a "sweet greeting". Taste it carefully. First, you will taste the delicious milk chocolate on the outer layer of the cake, accompanied by a sweet almond flavor that slowly melts on your tongue. Then, the crushed almonds in the cake fill your taste buds and release with a hint of cocoa aroma, perfectly and delicately lingering in your mouth.
The Origin of Cheesecake
Cheesecake, or cheese cake, is a type of Western dessert. It has a soft upper layer mixed with special cheese such as ricotta cheese or cream cheese, along with sugar and other ingredients such as eggs, cream, and fruits. Cheesecakes are usually made with cookies as the bottom layer, and there are several fixed flavors, such as vanilla cheese cake, chocolate cheese cake, etc. As for the decoration on the surface, it is often strawberries or blueberries.
Sometimes cheesecake doesn't look much like a regular cake, but rather a type of pie.
A brief history of cheese cake is believed to have originated from ancient Greece, and was made in 776 BC to serve as a dessert for the Athens Olympics. Subsequently, the Romans spread the cheese cake from Greece to the whole of Europe. In the 19th century, they followed immigrants and spread to America.
Famous stores
In New York City, USA, the most recognized and delicious cheesecake shop is called "Juniors", located in Brooklyn. In Taipei, Taiwan, it is widely recognized that the best cheese cake restaurant is located in Tianmu.
The Origin of Brownie Cake
Chocolate brownie cake, also known as brownie cake, walnut brownie cake, or Boston brownie. It is a sliced cake with rich layers, baked with a large amount of dark chocolate, named after its luxurious brown color.
There is a very interesting story about the origin of Brownie. It is said that a chubby black nanny wore an apron and baked a soft and delicious chocolate cake in the kitchen, but forgot to beat the cream first. Unexpectedly, she made a failed work. This cake, which was supposed to be discarded, was so delicious that the mother tasted it. Brownie cake, this "cute mistake", became the most representative cake in American families.
Italian Dessert - The Origin of Tiramisu
There is a heartwarming story about the origin of Tiramisu: during World War II, an Italian soldier was going on a military expedition, but his family had almost nothing left. In order to prepare dry food for him, his wife, who loved him, made all the available cookies and bread into a pastry called Tiramisu. Whenever this soldier eats Tiramisu on the battlefield, he thinks of his home and the people he loves in the center of his home.
Tiramisu, in Italian, means "take me away", taking away not only delicious food, but also love and happiness.
Austrian Dessert - The Origin of Sandwich Cake
Sandwich cake originated in 1832 as Franz, the chef of a prince Sacher has developed an incredibly sweet chocolate filling that is loved by the royal family. Later, Sache Ho te, a restaurant where nobles often came and went, also used sand cake as its signature Dim sum. However, what exactly is its exclusive secret recipe is still a controversial dessert lawsuit. A pastry shop, Demel, claims to have purchased the original recipe provided by members of the Shajia family for a large sum of money, while the Shajia Restaurant insists that only their cake is a traditional taste that respects the founder. Although the lawsuit remains unsolved, the unique combination of chocolate cake and apricot peach has been spread all over the world and created by tens of thousands of Dim sum chefs, making it a national treasure Dim sum representing Austria.
Austrian Dessert - The Origin of Stolen Cake
For hundreds of years, it has been like a day, with an ancient and simple design, complex methods, and a mysterious proportion of materials. Only a few masters from old pastry shops know how to make it. In Austria, Stolen cake is expensive in terms of rarity, and its value is no less than that of sand cake. Chaonuo Cake Shop is the origin of the mysterious and delicious Stolen Cake. It is said that its taste and shape have never changed since the 19th century, all handmade. The only known ingredients are almonds, hazelnuts, sugar, chocolate, and the unique round cake of Austria. As for the recipe and recipe, only two masters know about it in Chaonuo Cake Shop. Stolen cake is crispy and sweet, with a lingering aftertaste. Those who are not obsessed with sweetness cannot eat more. Even at Chaonuo's old store, the annual production of Stolen is only 1300.
Japanese Dessert - The Origin of Castella Cake
In the 17th century, Portuguese missionaries and merchants traveled across the ocean to Nagasaki. The things they brought, such as glass, tobacco, bread, and so on, were novel to the locals. In order to establish friendship with each other, these outsiders came up with some ways to please the locals. The missionaries distributed wine to the nobility and desserts to the commoners, hoping to spread Christianity through this. Merchants also produce a large number of pastries and distribute them to the public on the streets. At that time, a pastry made of sugar, eggs, and flour was very popular, and the Japanese asked about the desserts from the Castella Kingdom. As a result, the Japanese mistakenly passed down the name Castella as a dessert, which is the origin of Castella.
French Famous Product - Saha Cake (France)
It is said to have been invented in 1832 by the full-time chef of the Australian diplomat to France, Meztiernessy, and the French national, Saha, at the age of 16. Because the diplomat "Meztirisi" is fond of sweets, he must taste different desserts every day. As a result, "Saha" tried to combine many ingredients that are not usually used for Dim sum, and finally completed this "Saha cake". Later, in 1876, "Edward", the son of "Saha", founded "Saha HOTEL", and carried forward this Dim sum with his wife Anna, becoming one of the famous cakes in France.
Dim sum of New Year - Yule log (France)
Yule is actually the old name for Christmas, from the Vikings to modern winter celebrations. The traditional English Christmas involves chopping firewood in the woods, dragging it back and placing it in a fireplace, and burning it for 12 days starting from Christmas Eve. This wood is called Yulelog!
Originally, it was a necessary milestone for the French to spend Christmas. On Christmas Eve, French people, no matter where they work, will rush back to their hometowns to reunite, just like Chinese people, who have the habit of family reunion and night watching. When staying up until midnight, the whole family usually gathers in front of the stove to eat wooden cakes, accompanied by coffee or black tea, to drive away the chill and also take the opportunity to connect with family relationships.
The Famous Faction in Newspapers - Boston Cream Pie - (USA)
In fact, it's not pie, but sponge cake (sponge cake)
The name is said to have originated in 1855 when a New York newspaper printed a recipe called Pudding Pie Cake, which did not include the chocolate syrup unique to Boston Pie today. Then in 1856, a person named Harvey D. Parker opened a Parker House restaurant in Boston with a pudding pie cake containing chocolate syrup on the menu, which is said to be known as Boston Pie.
The Birth of the Middle Ages - Souffle - (France)
Why do people invent this dish that makes people feel like they haven't eaten anything after eating it; This is closely related to the social atmosphere of greed and insatiable desires at that time. At that time, wealthy ordinary people spent several times more time eating than working. Often, there were dinners for three or four people, and there were dozens or twenty dishes that could not be finished. At the end of the meal, guests only casually moved their knives and forks and tasted them lightly; After the banquet, throughout the afternoon, only the sound of burping could be heard one after another. This social phenomenon of "afternoon burping" lasted for half a century, until it caused such a stir among social elites that it came to an end: "Even 'nothingness' cannot escape materialization and is doomed to collapse due to excessive expansion."
In order to correct the corrupt dietary habits, chefs specially use tasteless and weightless protein to transform this meaningless delicacy; However, chefs are also afraid of the excessively inflated nihilistic materialism, and as predicted, they will eventually be unable to escape the fate of collapse. Therefore, they try their best to ensure that Shufuli can maintain its elegant and fluffy appearance before serving to customers.
Fluffy Taste - ChiffonCake - (USA)
Cakes usually include sponge cake/Sponge and chiffon cake/Chiffon Cake Chiffon actually refers to a type of fabric, similar to silk, but not as difficult to maintain as silk, which is called georgette. Due to its soft texture and smooth texture, this cake is called ChifonCake. Sponge cake relies entirely on beating eggs (whole or divided) to form the pores in the cake tissue. A typical sponge cake only contains eggs, flour, and sugar. The taste is relatively firm and dense, and it is easy to feel choked when eating (compared to Qi Feng).
Qi Feng cake is an improved sponge recipe invented by an American chef. In addition to eggs, flour, and sugar, it also contains vegetable oil and water (to increase tissue moisture, making the texture fluffy and moist)
