Tiramisu facts for kids
A slice of Tiramisu
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| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Veneto Friuli Venezia Giulia |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Main ingredients | Savoiardi, egg yolks, mascarpone, cocoa, coffee |
Tiramisu is a yummy Italian dessert with a coffee flavor. Its name means "pick me up" or "cheer me up" in Italian! It's made with special cookies called ladyfingers (also known as savoiardi), which are soaked in coffee. These cookies are then layered with a creamy mix of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, and finally dusted with cocoa powder. Many different cakes and desserts are now inspired by Tiramisu. People still argue about where it first came from in Italy, especially between the regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
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The Story of Tiramisu
Tiramisu seems to have been created in the 1960s. But exactly where and when it started is a bit of a mystery!
When Did Tiramisu First Appear?
You won't find recipes for Tiramisu in cookbooks before the 1960s. It also wasn't mentioned in encyclopedias from the 1970s. The first time it appeared in print was in Italian in 1980, and in English in 1982. This makes us think it's a fairly new invention.
Who Invented Tiramisu?
Many people believe Tiramisu was invented at a restaurant called Le Beccherie in Treviso, Italy. The restaurant owner, Ado Campeol, and his wife, Alba di Pillo, along with pastry chef Roberto Linguanotto, are often given credit. They supposedly created the dessert on December 24, 1969. It was added to the restaurant's menu in 1972.
However, another person named Carminantonio Iannaccone claims he made the Tiramisu sold at Le Beccherie in his own bakery on the same date.
Other Ideas About Its Origin
There's also a story about a "Tiremesù" dessert. This was a semi-frozen treat served at the Vetturino restaurant in Pieris, Friuli Venezia Giulia, as early as 1938. This might be where the name came from. The recipe for Tiramisu might also have come from another layered dessert called Zuppa Inglese. Some even say it was created in Siena in the late 1600s for a Grand Duke named Cosimo III.
In 2017, the Italian government officially listed Tiramisu as a traditional food from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. In 2013, the governor of Veneto tried to get special protection for the dessert from the European Union. This would mean that only Tiramisu made with the original 1970 ingredients could be called "Tiramisu."
Original Tiramisu Ingredients
Traditional Tiramisu uses a short list of simple ingredients. These are ladyfingers (savoiardi), egg yolks, sugar, coffee, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa powder.
A common change people make is soaking the savoiardi in alcohol. Examples include Marsala wine, amaretto, or a coffee-flavored liqueur. However, the very first recipe for Tiramisu did not include alcohol.
The original Tiramisu made at Le Beccherie was shaped like a circle.
Different Ways to Make Tiramisu
Even though the original Tiramisu was round, you can make it in different shapes. It can be made in rectangular or square pans, or even in round glasses to show off its layers. Sometimes it's shaped like a pyramid.
Modern Changes to the Cream
Today, many recipes add whipped cream or whipped egg whites, or both, to the mascarpone cream. This makes the dessert lighter, thicker, and very foamy. Adding Marsala wine is also a very common change. Tiramisu is always eaten cold.
Some recipes also heat the eggs to make sure they are safe to eat, but not so much that they scramble.
Flavor Variations
Over time, people started changing the main ingredients, especially the coffee. Now you can find many different kinds of Tiramisu, like chocolate, amaretto, berry, lemon, strawberry, pineapple, yogurt, banana, raspberry, and coconut.
However, these fruity versions are often not considered "true" Tiramisu. This is because they only share the layered look. They are more like variations of a dessert called trifle.
Different Cookies and Cheeses
Some cooks use other cakes or sweet breads, like panettone, instead of ladyfingers. Bakers in Italy sometimes argue about which types of cookies work best. Other cheese mixtures are also used, and some recipes don't use any eggs at all.
Besides Marsala wine, other types of alcohol are sometimes added to the coffee or the cheese mixture. These can include dark rum, Madeira, port, brandy, Malibu, or Irish cream. Coffee-flavored liqueurs like Tia Maria and Kahlúa are also popular. Amaretto liqueurs, such as Disaronno, are often used to make Tiramisu taste even better.
Similar Desserts
Tiramisu is similar to other desserts. One is the Charlotte, which has a creamy center surrounded by ladyfingers. Another is the Turin cake (dolce Torino), which uses ladyfingers soaked in special liqueurs with a creamy spread. The Bavarese Lombarda is also similar, using ladyfingers and cooked egg yolks. However, these similar desserts don't use mascarpone cream or coffee.
See also
In Spanish: Tiramisú para niños
