Tiramisu is a quintessential Italian dessert. Its origins are unclear as some argue it was created in the Veneto region while others say it came from Siena or Treviso. Regardless, this coffee-flavored treat is a favorite among many Italians. Here are some facts you may not know about this popular concoction.
- The Italian-language dictionary traces the first printed mention of tiramisu to 1980.
- There is evidence of a tiremesù, a semi-frozen dessert, served in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, since 1938. This may be the name’s origin.
- The recipe for tiramisu may have originated as a variation of another layered dessert, Zuppa Inglese (English Soup)
- Tiramisu first became popular in America in San Francisco during the 1990s. From there, its popularity began to spread across the country.
- The biggest tiramisu was 6,646 lbs, or 3,015 kg, and was prepared in Gemona del Friuli, Italy, on May 25, 2015.
- Some say the dessert was used as an aphrodisiac in brothels.
- In 2013, The Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano in 2013 requested tiramisu for his birthday while in orbit with Russian spacecraft Soyuz TMA09M. Turin chef, Davide Scabin, created a dehydrated tiramisu just for him.
- In China, tiramisu is the most clicked Italian word on the internet.
- Recently, March 21 was declared Tiramisu Day.
- Tiramisu literally translates to ‘pick me up’ or ‘lift me up’. Probably in reference to the espresso used in the recipe.
Sources:
- Interesting facts about tiramisu [Just Fun Facts]
- 5 Things you don’t know about this Italian cake [Bees Cover]
- Did you know? [Tiramisuday.com]
- Traditional Tiramisu [Everyday Health]
- Feature Picture [Wikimedia]
