Hello again, my fellow questors. (Hell yes, it’s a quest! It’s our shared quest, and we’re right on schedule!)
Given the last many days of glorious food celebrations, I suspect we could all use a break.
But just for esses and gees, let’s hold off on a break from such splendor until tomorrow. (-:
After all, today, 26 November, is National Cake Day.
It seems that the history of cakes date all the way back to ancient times, and the first cakes were most likely created in Ancient Greece and Egypt.
Many centuries thereafter, of course, Marie Antoinette made headlines by suggesting that for all she cared, the starving citizens of Paris, then suffering through severe famine conditions, could simply eat cake.
As you probably recall, she did more than make headlines. In fact, that crack all but ensured that she would never again enjoy any sumptuous French cakes, desserts or food of any sort. (Just a hunch, but if given a second chance, I’m thinking that ‘ol Marie might have chosen her words a bit more carefully, don’t you? (-:)
In any case, here are a few fun facts about the history of cakes over the years:
- According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “cake,” likely of Old Norse language origins, goes back to the 13th century.
- Somewhere in the early 17th century, technological advances began to allow for more creative baking, using whipped eggs (instead of yeast). Additionally, cakes of the day began to feature icing, sometimes topped with fruit.
- By the 18th century, cakes became part of birthday celebrations, with the first-ever layer cake recipe published in a London cook book.
- By the early 20th century, the first cake mixes (actually sold in a can vs. a box) became available.
So, here’s to National Cake Day!
(And with the holidays now suddenly in full swing, I suspect we’ll have ample time to chat about other types of goodies and treats whenever you guys want.)
See you back here tomorrow for Day 25.
JFish
@Copyright 2023 by John L. Fischer