“Tiramisu became so iconic because it represented an enhanced, luscious version of an Italian classic, the humble gelato — maybe crossed with a Black Forest gateau. It was a really satisfying, versatile pick-me-up that could be eaten as a dessert, but would be an outstanding item at breakfast as well.”
As to the Tuscan history of Tiramisù, legend has it that it was decided to make a cake in honour Cosimo III de’ Medici, as Grand Duke of Tuscany. The occasion was that the Grand Duke was visiting Siena for a few days, which at that time was a great reason for making a new dessert in his honour*.
– Have your 6 dishes ready and dollop a tablespoon of mascarpone into each bowl. Dip a couple of biscuits at a time into the coffee until they have soaked it up, then shake them out well so any excess coffee drips back into the bowl and you don’t end up with soggy biscuits. Top with another couple of dollops of mascarpone, then more biscuits, then a final couple of dollops of mascarpone – don’t go all the way to the top of your dishes. Put them on a tray in the fridge for at least a couple of hours and dust with cocoa before serving.
When trying to discern the origins of something like a traditional Italian recipe, there is one method which can be either considered to be either a quite dubious or shore-fire way. This means is the bane of most native English-speakers, yet thanks to the diversity of dialects around Italy, to Italians it can hold the key to one’s origins. We are speaking of course, about grammar. The term Tiramisù, coming from pick (tira) me (mi) up (su), can be said to rule out Tuscan origins as at the time when Tiramisù first surfaced, the Tuscan dialect did not include such usage of reflexive verbs.
And sometimes the history behind the actual recipes is almost as interesting as the great dishes themselves.
To learn about the traditional Italian ingredients and learn to make delicious, typical dishes before indulging in a delicious meal made by you, we have hands-on cooking classes in Florence.
Delicious, simple and made with just a few ingredients. Do you know the recipe for this classic Italian dessert known and loved worldwide? Let’s discover its secrets and curiosities together.
A delicacy appreciated in every corner of the globe, Tiramisù is boundless. Like pizza, it is a boast of Italian gastronomic traditions. Lets look at how and where it originated, its recipe and everything you should know, especially if you havent tried it yet.
Although its origins are disputed between Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions, the most accredited thesis attributes its paternity to Veneto, precisely to the city of Treviso. It all began in the mid-1950s. Then, the mother-in-law of a well-known restaurant owner decided to give her daughter-in-law, who had just given birth, a “boost“. A sweet and hearty breakfast would undoubtedly help the young woman recover her energy after giving birth.
It was zabaglione (beaten egg with sugar), locally known as “Sbatudin“, excellent for regaining strength. Once she was up and running and back at her job at the inn, young Alba decided to take inspiration from that tasty breakfast to create a new dessert. After years of trial and error and thanks to the collaboration of the inns pastry chef, Tiramisù finally saw the light between 1971 and 1972.
However, between the 1950s and 1960s in Treviso, other restaurants were dabbling in preparing desserts similar to Tiramisù. The “Coppa Imperiale” (literally, imperial cup), created in honour of Queen Federica of Greece, visiting Treviso, used sponge cake instead of Savoiardi biscuits (also known as ladyfingers). Another well-known variant was the famous “Porcospino” (namely, hedgehog) because of the pine nuts that studded the top of the cake, recalling the animals spines.
According to other sources, it seems that in the 1800s, the madam of a pleasure house in Treviso invented the dessert to offer it to her clients to help them regain their strength. In any case, whatever its actual origin, this Italian speciality is one of the many national points of pride abroad, a tradition to be cherished with love and care. To pay homage to this gastronomic speciality, Tiramisù Day is celebrated every year on 3 October in Treviso and on 21 March throughout Italy.
Italian Culture: The History of Tiramisù
FAQ
Why is tiramisu so important to Italy?
How popular is tiramisu in Italy?
Where is tiramisu popular in Italy?
What is the Speciality of tiramisu?