About Tiramisu essay

Italian custard dish called tiramisu

The Italian custard dish called tiramisu has coffee flavoring. The name can be interpreted to mean “raise me up” and is of Italian origin. Different areas, including Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, have fought about its origin. But the majority of people say it came from Veneto. The recipe has been altered to create various sorts of cakes and other desserts. Among the ingredients are ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and chocolate (From & Garden, 2017). This essay discusses the dish and how it relates to its locale. It examines the historical import of that connection to Italy’s culture. It also uses human experiences to remark on the relevance of the cuisine. Sources claim the dish was first prepared in Treviso in 1970, by one Ada Campeol who had a craving for something that would boost her energy after the birth of her son. The original tiramisu was more like custard. However, due to different variations of its evolution, it has turned out to be cake-like. It has adjusted to the standard shape of a square and has gained much popularity not only in Italy but also the United States and other countries since it is served in almost all Italian restaurants worldwide. There are different geographical influences of Italian cuisine, and Tiramisu’s geographical factor is the multiple regions. The same way Italy is diverse in food and culture is the same way tiramisu has crossed boundaries and brought forth a symbol of unity (Coughlin, 2017).

The historical significance of tiramisu

The fact that different regions battle for the origin of tiramisu means the Italians and even other nations attach a significant historical value to the dish. There are various myths about where and why it was first prepared and all of them have one thing in common (Coughlin, 2017). They are positive and give a good history of it. Tiramisu has existed from the 1960s or 1970s as sources claim. Very few dishes have survived through such a long time without being called classic. To the contrary, tiramisu has survived through different generations with slight evolution. It has carried the Italian culture with it, conserving what they believe in and making a global statement about Italian cuisine. This is based on the popularity that it has created over the years in all kinds of restaurants regardless of whether they are Italian or not.

The myth of “the Duke’s soup”

Another famous myth attached to the dish is that where the grand Duke Cosimo de’ Medici III visited a northwestern province and tiramisu was prepared. The residents came to refer to it as ’the Duke’s soup.’ As a result, the meal got attached to royalty and this increased its popularity. It was considered special, even among the locals. The popularity started after tiramisu was introduced in American food culture (From & Garden, 2017). It soon became a popular preference not only as dessert in restaurants but also in bakeries. It is significant that even with the popularity, most people adhered to the original recipe. Only a few came up with their own variations but this did not decline the value of the dish. This tells a lot about preserving the culture and just how much value people can attach to it.

Tiramisu and its relation to Veneto region

The supposed origin of tiramisu, Veneto, is located in the northern region of Italy, which is known to be cold often. In this region, dry pasta is rare, and it is instead dominated by fresh pasta and many options for dessert (Coughlin, 2017). Tiramisu’s nature can be attributed to the region’s climate since it also a good accompaniment to tea or coffee. Italians tend to pass down their cooking culture from generation to generation, and tiramisu is a perfect example.

Tiramisu as a representation of Italian culture

Reflecting on the historical background and relating it to personal experiences, tiramisu is a unifying factor and an indication of positive diversity. It is prestigious to consume a dish that is not only known worldwide but also has a lot of significance attached to it. Tiramisu is more than a cake or dessert. It is a representation of Italian culture.

References

Coughlin, J. (2017). Geographical Influences on Italian Cuisine. jovina cooks. Retrieved 3 November 2017, from https://jovinacooksitalian.com/2014/11/14/geographical-influences-on-italian-cuisine/

From, T., & Garden, I. (2017). Tiramisu: What It Is and Where It Came From - Italian Garden. Italian Garden - San Marcos Texas. Retrieved 3 November 2017, from https://italiangardensmtx.com/tiramisu-whats-came/