Over 4,000 years ago in the fifth century BC, the ancient Greeks on the island of Samos created the earliest known cheesecake. This rudimentary cheesecake was made with patties of fresh cheese that were then pounded smooth with flour and honey. The creation was then baked on an earthenware griddle before being enjoyed by the masses. Back then, cheesecake was considered a great source of energy and there is evidence showing it was served to athletes during the first Olympic Games in 776 BC. Cheesecake was also popular as a wedding dessert!
During the late medieval ages in Europe, cheesecake transformed to include a pastry base in a tart form. The first English cookbook, written in 1390, included multiple variations of the cheesecake recipe that included eggs and various flavor profiles. For the next five centuries, almost every English cookbook included at least one cheesecake recipe, signifying the love the English people had for the delicious dessert!
Since the English loved their cheesecake, it is not surprising that the delicacy made its way to the American colonies. In the 1730s, Philadelphia became home to the "Cheesecake House" tavern! Martha Washington's prized and gifted cookbook features three different cheesecake recipes, one of which being a cheesecake without a crust. These recipes were also flavored with rosewater and other spices. In the 19th century, cheesecake recipes began to feature more subtle ingredients like lemon and vanilla.
In the 1930s, the basis of the Americanized cheesecake changed dramatically. Traditional curd cheese was phased out and replaced with cream cheese, creating a creamier, richer, and tastier treat. Thus, the cheesecake recipes were transforming and the New York cheesecake was born! One of the most famous cheesecake options, the signature and smooth taste comes from the extra egg yolks in the creamy cheesecake mix. By the 1900s, New Yorkers became obsessed with the dessert and virtually every establishment offered some variation of cheesecake on its menu. Today, restaurants and eateries are no different - almost everyone offers some type of cheesecake on their menu!
Does the history of cheesecake make you crave a delectably smooth slice? Whether you live on Long Island or elsewhere in the United States, order from Jonathan Lord Cheesecakes & Desserts! Our recipe has been perfected over the years and we use only the finest quality ingredients to create velvety smooth, rich, and creamy cheesecakes. For more information or to place an order, please don't hesitate to contact us today! We have countless flavors to choose from that can suit any pallet!
FAQs
Over 4,000 years ago in the fifth century BC, the ancient Greeks on the island of Samos created the earliest known cheesecake. This rudimentary cheesecake was made with patties of fresh cheese that were then pounded smooth with flour and honey.
Did cheesecake originate in Philadelphia? ›
Food historians say the cheesecake dates back to ancient Greece. Later, in medieval England and then colonial America, cheesecakes made from curd cheeses were all the rage. A widely referenced history by food historian Gil Marks notes that Philadelphia had a tavern called “Cheesecake House” in the 18th century.
What is cheesecake summary? ›
cheesecake, a dessert consisting of a thick, creamy filling of cheese, eggs, and sugar over a thinner crust and topped with sweet or sometimes salty items.
Who invented the cake? ›
According to the food historians, the ancient Egyptians were the first culture to show evidence of advanced baking skills. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the English word cake back to the 13th century. It is a derivation of 'kaka', an Old Norse word. Medieval European bakers often made fruitcakes and gingerbread.
Who invented cream cheese? ›
Around 1873, William A. Lawrence, a dairyman in Chester, New York, was the first to mass produce an unripened fresh cheese known generically as cream cheese. In 1872, he began manufacturing Neufchâtel cheese. By adding cream to the process, he developed a richer cheese that he called "cream cheese".
What are the three types of cheesecake? ›
New York style cheesecake, classic cheesecake, and no bake cheesecake are the most popular types of cheesecakes, but the best cheesecake flavor is the one that you find irresistible — and that may be different for everyone.
Why is cheesecake called cake? ›
What cheesecake lacks are some of the basic ingredients that make a cake, well, a cake. There's no flour in the main custard-like mix, for example, and no baking powder or soda. Cheesecake may be decadent and rich, but it's far from “breadlike”—another part of what defines a cake.
Who started the cheesecake factory? ›
Is cheesecake its own thing? ›
Technically, cheesecake is a custard made with dairy and eggs. There are custard pies and custard tarts of sll sorts. This one just happens to be called a cake, perhaps because it rises above the bottom crust all on its own, instead of nestling down into a pastry security blanket. The cheesecake stands alone.
Why did cheesecake crack? ›
When the batter is overmixed, too much air is added and will cause your cake to rise in the oven and then collapse and crack when being removed. Don't overbake your cake. It may crack if it's too dry. Many people overbake their recipes to “play it safe”.
Cheesecake is Technically a Tart
So, what we have is a dessert consisting of a pastry shell, a thick custard-like filling that can be sweetened with vanilla extract, limes, strawberries, chocolate, blueberries, or even pumpkin.
Why is cheesecake important? ›
Cheesecake contains nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamins A and D, essential for maintaining a healthy body. It is made with real cream cheese and other wholesome ingredients, whereas most regular cakes contain refined flours and sugars that can harm your health.
What does miss cheesecake mean? ›
Cheesecake
Cheesecake or Miss Cheesecake is another term referenced in Paris Is Burning. “Some children will ask me what I meant by 'Miss Cheesecake. ' That means you must not only have a body, but you must be sexy. A lot of people have bodies but are not sexy,” Avis Pendavis explains in the film.
Is New York cheesecake the original? ›
While many people believe that this decadent treat originated in New York City—and understandably so, as it is the Big Apple's signature dessert—accounts of cakes made of cheese date back to ancient Greece.
Who started the Cheesecake Factory? ›
Who invented jiggly cheesecake? ›
It has a characteristically wobbly and airy texture, similar to a soufflé when fresh out of the oven and a chiffon cake-like texture when chilled. The recipe was created by Japanese chef Tomotaro Kuzuno, who was inspired by a local käsekuchen cheesecake (a German variant) during a trip to Berlin in the 1960s.
Who invented burnt cheesecake? ›
Santiago Rivera, the chef who invented the famous burnt basque cheesecake at his bar La Viña in San Sebastian. By that time, La Viña was already a favorite amongst San Sebastian locals, and the cheesecake also had won the hearts of donostiarras (people from the area).
