Baking is something a lot of people enjoy, and whether it is the completion of their bakery equipment or the purchase of a new bakery oven, the joy one feels with this endeavor is very real. Where did baking start? Why do people enjoy it so much? How did it evolve into what it is today?
Baking has its roots from way back in the time of Egyptians, although some people say it dates back to way earlier than that. People enjoy it so much because of the satisfaction that is gained from being able to successfully create a tasty baked goodie for their family and themselves. It is also through progress that baking has evolved.
To give you a bit more tidbits about baking, here are some interesting facts that you may not have known:
Amaretti Cookies – Pronounced am-ah-REHT-tee, the term is Italian for macaroons. It also means little bitter things. These are dome shaped cookies that are crispy and crunchy outside, while soft and chewy inside. These were originally from Venice, and are made using almond paste, egg whites, and sugar.
Angel Food Cake – This cake is sometimes called Angel Cake by others. It is named this way because of its airy lightness, making it seem like it is the “food of the angels”. Invented in the 1800s, this cake is said to have its very own special pan. This cake uses a lot of egg whites in it to make it light and fluffy.
Banana Bread – Sometimes called banana loaf, these kinds of bread/cake became very famous in the 1960s. This was when heavy and hearty cakes and breads were all the rage. This cake/bread has a very thick batter, and is considered a combination of a cake and a loaf of bread, mainly because of the pans used to make these and because of the resulting texture of the cake after baking.
Biscotti – Another Italian creation, these are cookies that can be stored for a long period of time. These were popular in the old day among those who needed food that does not spoil easily, like soldiers, sailors, and fishermen. This biscuit/cookie has been around since the time of Columbus, and is originally made using almonds as flavoring, but these days, these can be made with a lot of other things. These are twice baked, which accounts for the hardness, and the long shelf life.
Bread Pudding – This is an old fashioned dessert that dates back to the 13th century, in England. Also referred to as poor man’s pudding, this was made using stale bread to avoid wastage. Old fashioned bread pudding was made with old bread mixed with water, which was then squeezed out, then the bread was mixed with other ingredients like spices, sugar, and many more. Today’s bread pudding is made using stale bread mixed with cream or a custard like mixture and candied fruits as well as nuts.
Brownies – Some people think of this as a cake, while others think of this as a chewy cookie. It is actually a bar cookie that has a cake-like consistency or texture. These bar cookies usually come with chopped nuts in them, and have a rich chocolate flavor. This was said to have been invented in 1897, and is one of the most popular cakes/cookies in the world.
