Tiramisu`
Enjoying a dessert or a sweet is always considered a “cheer me up” moment all over the world. But when that spoonful of flavors goes in your mouth – ladyfingers dipped in coffee and layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavored with dark cocoa – you will have a sexual moment.
Yes, I am talking about Tiramisu!!
The origins of Tiramisu are uncertain because various regions claim to have “invented” this delicacy, and for this reason, a contest has begun between Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto.
There are many legends associated with this dessert, to which aphrodisiac qualities are attributed.
One version places the birth of Tiramisu in17th century Siena where some confectioners in anticipation of the arrival of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III de’ Medici, decided to make a cake to celebrate his greatness.
COSIMO III DE MEDICI
They decided that the cake should reflect the personality of the Grand Duke, a vain, spendthrift and ostentatious lover. Therefore, it had to be “sweet and tasty” but at the same time prepared with simple and essential ingredients. Cosimo III de’ Medici was apparently greedy and “loved” sweets, so he did not fail to appreciate the new specialty that had been named “The Duke’s Soup” in his honor.
At his departure, the noble recipe followed Cosimo to the court of Florence, then the crossroads of intellectuals and artists from all over Italy and the world.
As the legend goes, The Duke’s Soup became the sweet most beloved by courtiers and nobles, not only for its taste but also for its supposedly powerful aphrodisiac properties. As word spread about the magic of this dessert, people began changing their habits because of it.
They began consuming so much of The Duke’s Soup before sexual encounters that its name eventually changed to the highly suggestive “Tiramisu.”
CAMILLO BENSO
According to another version, Tiramisu was invented in 19th century Piedmont by a pastry chef in Turin as a gift in honor of Camillo Benso of Cavour, Italy`s Prime Minister, to support him in his difficult task of unifying Italy. He would often request this culinary “pick me up” to get through long days of work.
While the mystery of Tiramisu’s origins continues, there is no doubt that the word “Tiramisu” itself has taken on a ‘sweeter’ meaning over time.
It still translates to “pick-me-up, but it now carries racier and naughtier connotations. In fact, in the 1950s prostitutes working in Italian brothels often used it to revitalize their stamina and ultimately increase their desire.
Both tales bear some truth in that layered cake has been around for a long time, and that the combination of eggs, sugar, and caffeine in tiramisu is energizing. Although the presumption that tiramisu is an aphrodisiac is questionable, the presence of coffee and chocolate may have a mildly exciting power, which in those days could have been felt as something unusual.
“However, its energy value is indisputable in that the presence of high-fat mascarpone (which itself can contain up to 55% high-fat) along with proteins and sugars makes it a YUMMY BOMB!!”
Despite that, it is undeniable that this dessert emanates sexuality in a simple spoon. Do you agree?
And finally, the last and most legitimate story comes from Treviso, the Northeast region of Veneto, which has long claimed the title for the great cake. Roberto Linguanotto, the pastry chef at “Alle Beccherie” restaurant in Treviso in 1970 was inspired by the owner Mrs. Alba Campeol who wanted to create a dessert that would give her an energy boost after giving birth to her first child.
Linguanotto used his intuition to combine a few simple ingredients to create a dessert that led Treviso and its Tiramisu to “walk” on the tables of half of the world.
Treviso, like many other regions and countries, is becoming protective of its signature food and drinks by seeking the “Guaranteed Traditional Specialty” certification by the European Union. Pizza in Napoli achieved this status in 2010 to dissuade imitators. Many more European states are fighting for the preservation of their culinary history and traditions.
Only by learning about the flavors of basic ingredients and the passion in these ancient stories about food can we understand why the preservation of these recipes created over 200 years ago is important for Italy and Europe.
Tiramisu combines simplicity with excellence in respect of local tradition, which defines it as one of Italy’s most famous and favorite desserts.
As these fun stories grow and Italian regions battle over who invented this excellent dessert, we are happy it was invented!
And now after reading so many legends, it`s the time to make our Tiramisu.
TIRAMISU
Preparation: 40 minutes
Portions: 8 people
Ingredients:
- Free range eggs: 6 (m/l)
- Zucchero 100g
- Mascarpone 500g
- Savoiardi cookies 400g
- Espresso Coffee as needed (around 4 moca`s of 4cups)
- Dark Cocoa as needed.
- 1 Espresso cup of Marsala liquor.
