July 30 is National Cheesecake Day. There have been no sources found on the origins of the holiday. However, it is known that it was created to celebrate cheesecake. So, either buy or make yourself some cheesecake and enjoy the holiday while learning these top five facts about cheesecake.
Cheesecake Is Centuries Older than New York
Many people think that cheesecake may have originated in New York or in Philadelphia because of the styles of cheesecake known as New York cheesecake or Philadelphia cheesecake. However, there is evidence that cheesecake goes back to the times of ancient Greece. Cheese molds from 2,000 B.C. have been excavated in ancient Greece and there is evidence that athletes were served cheesecake at the first Olympic games in 776 B.C.
Baked Cheesecake Originated in Rome
When the Romans conquered the Greek empire, when of the things they took with them was the recipe for cheesecake. The Romans changed this recipe by adding eggs to their cheesecakes and baking them under hot bricks. However, it still did not look like the cheesecake that we recognize today.
Cheesecake Used to Be Made with Yeast
Until the 18th century, cheesecake used to be made with yeast. This is because it was the only way known to make any types of bread rise until that time. It was during that time that Europeans figured out how to use beaten eggs to make bread products rise. This allowed them to remove the yeast from cheesecake so it no longer contained the yeasty flavor.
Modern Cheesecake is a 19th Century Invention
Cream cheese was not invented until 1872. William Lawrence, who lived in Chester, N.Y., was trying to find a way to reproduce the French cheese neufchatel. Instead, he produced cream cheese. This allowed people to make cheesecake with cream cheese. It was an easy dessert to make once he distributed it under the brand "Philadelphia" in 1880.
Cheesecakes Don't Have to Be Sweet
Cheesecakes are usually thought of as desserts. However, they do not have to be sweet. Savory cheesecakes exist. These are usually served as hors d'oeuvres or with accompanying side salads.
