Definition of dessert
It means “to clear the table” & “to serve” from the Old French word desservir. It is the serving of the last course of a meal
and it usually consists of sweet food eaten purely for pleasure. Fruit may also be eaten with or as a dessert. Dessert plays
an important part in leaving the guest with an overall impression of the meal.
History of desserts
The first desserts enjoyed by ancient civilizations were fruits or nuts rolled into honey. They were known as candies. Then
people enjoyed more desserts in the Middle Ages when sugar was first manufactured but they were mostly obtainable by
the rich for special occasions. Availability of a greater supply of sugar at affordable prices came through the evolution of
technology. Nowadays technology combined with culinary arts offer a world of exotic confections.
Brief history of desserts
• 1381-First printed recipe for apple pie
• 1400-Gingerbread(by soaking bread crumbs into honey & spices)
• 1600-Pralines created by the table officer of French nobility
• 1700-Eclairs(with cream in the center & chocolate as topping)
• 1740-Cupcake recipes
• 1800-Meringue & lemon custards which then gave lemon meringue pie in the 19th century
Classification of desserts:
1. Hot desserts
These are desserts which are served and eaten hot. They are the ultimate comfort food and are ideal on a hard winter’s
day. They can be an option for those who don’t prefer cold desserts. However the preparation of hot desserts demands
a delicate art.
Examples:
• Pancakes and crepes
• Sponge based desserts
• Pies and tarts
• Egg based desserts
• Hot soufflés
Some types of hot desserts may include:
pancakes or crepes
sponge based puddings
sweet pies or tarts
fruit fritters
soufflés
2. Cold desserts
These are desserts which are served and eaten cold. They are a real cool relief in hot climates. They need to be
refrigerated and the mechanism of chilling desserts is very labor intensive.
Examples:
• Trifle
It means “to clear the table” & “to serve” from the Old French word desservir. It is the serving of the last course of a meal
and it usually consists of sweet food eaten purely for pleasure. Fruit may also be eaten with or as a dessert. Dessert plays
an important part in leaving the guest with an overall impression of the meal.
History of desserts
The first desserts enjoyed by ancient civilizations were fruits or nuts rolled into honey. They were known as candies. Then
people enjoyed more desserts in the Middle Ages when sugar was first manufactured but they were mostly obtainable by
the rich for special occasions. Availability of a greater supply of sugar at affordable prices came through the evolution of
technology. Nowadays technology combined with culinary arts offer a world of exotic confections.
Brief history of desserts
• 1381-First printed recipe for apple pie
• 1400-Gingerbread(by soaking bread crumbs into honey & spices)
• 1600-Pralines created by the table officer of French nobility
• 1700-Eclairs(with cream in the center & chocolate as topping)
• 1740-Cupcake recipes
• 1800-Meringue & lemon custards which then gave lemon meringue pie in the 19th century
Classification of desserts:
1. Hot desserts
These are desserts which are served and eaten hot. They are the ultimate comfort food and are ideal on a hard winter’s
day. They can be an option for those who don’t prefer cold desserts. However the preparation of hot desserts demands
a delicate art.
Examples:
• Pancakes and crepes
• Sponge based desserts
• Pies and tarts
• Egg based desserts
• Hot soufflés
Some types of hot desserts may include:
pancakes or crepes
sponge based puddings
sweet pies or tarts
fruit fritters
soufflés
2. Cold desserts
These are desserts which are served and eaten cold. They are a real cool relief in hot climates. They need to be
refrigerated and the mechanism of chilling desserts is very labor intensive.
Examples:
• Trifle
