9015 Strada Stell Ct Ste 104
9015 Strada Stell Ct Ste 104
The Delicious World of Cheesecake
Long before cheesecake became a decadent dessert in America, a much simpler version was being made in ancient Greece. It is even believed that the original baked mixture — which consisted of pounded cheese, honey and flour — was served to athletes at the first- ever Olympics as a source of energy.
As cheesecake grew in popularity, countries began creating their own versions with regional ingredients. Traditional recipes saw yeast being swapped out for beaten eggs and popular flavors like rosewater being replaced with a hint of lemon or vanilla instead. From rich and creamy to light and airy, here is a look at cheesecakes from around the world.
Japanese Cotton Cheesecake
Japan
This delicate style blends the richness of cream cheese with the pillowy texture of soufflés. The signature cloud-like consistency is achieved by whisking egg yolks and whites separately from each other before folding them into the rest of the mixture and baking in a hot water bath. It can be served either warm or cold.
Sernik
Poland
Believed to date back to the 17th century, this Polish version uses twaróg, a type of cheese curd that has featured in desserts for centuries. The filling is paired with a sweet crumbly crust and can be baked in a round or square pan. There are many variations of sernik including one that uses sponge cake as the base and is served with jelly and fruit on top.
Swedish Ostkaka
Sweden
Ostkaka, meaning cheesecake, is a traditional Swedish dessert from the province of Småland. While the original recipe calls for curd to be made from scratch, cottage cheese is now a common shortcut. Almonds and bitter almonds are part of the mildly sweet recipe as well. Once baked, the crustless cheesecake is topped with jam and eaten from the inside out at a lukewarm temperature.
Basque Cheesecake (Gazta Tarta)
Spain
What started three decades ago as a house specialty at La Viña, a bar in San Sebastián, has since become a global favorite. Unlike the other styles, it is not the ingredients that make Gazta Tarta stand out. Instead, it is the way the crustless cheesecake is baked at a high temperature to create a scorched and caramelized top while leaving the center smooth and silky.
Fiadone
France
Corsica’s beloved version of cheesecake is made with brocciu, a regional cheese produced with a combination of goat’s or sheep’s milk and whey. This simple dessert also includes lemon zest and a splash of brandy, offering a refreshing flavor that pairs perfectly with fig jam or a drizzle of honey. Although some variations are made with a crust, the traditional recipe is made without one.
Käsekuchen
Germany
While the German style may appear heavy, it is a surprisingly light-tasting filling made with quark cheese with a pastry crust underneath. The fluffy consistency is a result of the low- fat quark cheese and stiffened egg whites used. Fruit is commonly added into the mixture for some additional sweetness.
Italian Ricotta Cheesecake
Italy
Whole milk ricotta cheese is the key ingredient in Italy’s take on cheesecake. The ricotta is whipped with eggs and sugar for an absolutely indulgent filling. Lemon or orange zest is also added to help balance out the richness and brighten up the flavors. This aromatic dessert has no crust, cream cheese or sour cream, making it unique among the other styles.
American Cheesecake
United States
The United States is home to three different styles of cheesecake. Arguably the most popular is the New York style which is known for its rich, dense and creamy consistency and graham cracker crust. The Philadelphia style is very similar, but it leaves out the added heavy cream and sour cream for a slightly lighter texture. On the other hand, Chicago-style cheesecake has added cream cheese for an extra soft center and uses a shortbread crust.
Jim Westerfield
Real Estate Consultant
9015 Strada Stell Ct Ste 104
Naples, FL 34109
239-287-6617
jim@westerfieldmg.com
https://experienceswfl.com
I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to send me a message.
Jim Westerfield
Real Estate Consultant
