Word Search: Gelato from the slopes of volcanoes, and other interesting dessert origins
We learn about the origins of beloved sweet treats, from marshmallows to red velvet cake
It’s tough having a sweet tooth in this day and age – there are hundreds of dessert options to choose from, each as delicious as the next.
Click start to play today’s Word Search, where you can spot various sweet treats, from gelato to baklava.
Every decadent dessert has a story behind it. Here are five that have interesting origins that may surprise you:
1. Red velvet cake
This beloved cake dates back to the 19th century in the US, when fine-textured cakes made with almond flour, cocoa or cornstarch were named ‘velvet’ cakes. The red colour of this distinctive cake was the result of a marketing campaign. The story goes that John Adams, the owner of the Adams Extract Company, wanted to sell more dyes after the Drug and Cosmetic Act was passed in the US. He thought a red cake would be a great way to go about it – he wasn’t wrong!
2. Marshmallows
Made from the mallow plant that grows wild in marshes, marshmallows have long been enjoyed in Asia, Europe and the Americas. In fact, ancient Egyptians were the first to create and enjoy this gooey treat, as early as 2000 BC. They squeezed sap from the mallow plant and mixed it with nuts and honey, and the treat was considered so special, it was reserved for royalty. No one knows exactly how it looked, however, but we have a good idea of how it tasted.
3. Gelato
This Italian dessert actually traces its origins to the deserts of Arabia. In ancient Egypt, the pharaohs were known to offer their guests a slush made of snow and fruit juices. Later, there was a brisk sea trade of compacted snow retrieved from the slopes of Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius to Rome, which flourished for centuries. The Romans would eat the snow, covered with honey – an ancient form of gelato. But it’s during the Italian Renaissance in the 14th century when the gelato we know and love was officially developed by the Italian artist and architect Bernardo Buontalenti.
Which is your favourite dessert? Play today’s Word Search and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.