Over 4,000 years ago in the fifth century BC, the ancient Greeks on the island of Samos created the earliest known cheesecake. This rudimentary cheesecake was made with patties of fresh cheese that were then pounded smooth with flour and honey. The creation was then baked on an earthenware griddle before being enjoyed by the masses. Back then, cheesecake was considered a great source of energy and there is evidence showing it was served to athletes during the first Olympic Games in 776 BC. Cheesecake was also popular as a wedding dessert!
During the late medieval ages in Europe, cheesecake transformed to include a pastry base in a tart form. The first English cookbook, written in 1390, included multiple variations of the cheesecake recipe that included eggs and various flavor profiles. For the next five centuries, almost every English cookbook included at least one cheesecake recipe, signifying the love the English people had for the delicious dessert!
Since the English loved their cheesecake, it is not surprising that the delicacy made its way to the American colonies. In the 1730s, Philadelphia became home to the "Cheesecake House" tavern! Martha Washington's prized and gifted cookbook features three different cheesecake recipes, one of which being a cheesecake without a crust. These recipes were also flavored with rosewater and other spices. In the 19th century, cheesecake recipes began to feature more subtle ingredients like lemon and vanilla.
In the 1930s, the basis of the Americanized cheesecake changed dramatically. Traditional curd cheese was phased out and replaced with cream cheese, creating a creamier, richer, and tastier treat. Thus, the cheesecake recipes were transforming and the New York cheesecake was born! One of the most famous cheesecake options, the signature and smooth taste comes from the extra egg yolks in the creamy cheesecake mix. By the 1900s, New Yorkers became obsessed with the dessert and virtually every establishment offered some variation of cheesecake on its menu. Today, restaurants and eateries are no different - almost everyone offers some type of cheesecake on their menu!
Does the history of cheesecake make you crave a delectably smooth slice? Whether you live on Long Island or elsewhere in the United States, order from Jonathan Lord Cheesecakes & Desserts! Our recipe has been perfected over the years and we use only the finest quality ingredients to create velvety smooth, rich, and creamy cheesecakes. For more information or to place an order, please don't hesitate to contact us today! We have countless flavors to choose from that can suit any pallet!
FAQs
The ancient Greeks, by the fifth century BC, made the earliest known rudimentary cheesecakes (plakous meaning “flat mass”), consisting of patties of fresh cheese pounded smooth with flour and honey and cooked on an earthenware griddle. In late medieval Europe, cheesecake remerged in tart form with a pastry base.
Who made cheesecake first? ›
Over 4,000 years ago in the fifth century BC, the ancient Greeks on the island of Samos created the earliest known cheesecake. This rudimentary cheesecake was made with patties of fresh cheese that were then pounded smooth with flour and honey.
Did cheesecake originate in Philadelphia? ›
Food historians say the cheesecake dates back to ancient Greece. Later, in medieval England and then colonial America, cheesecakes made from curd cheeses were all the rage. A widely referenced history by food historian Gil Marks notes that Philadelphia had a tavern called “Cheesecake House” in the 18th century.
Did you know facts about cheesecake? ›
Fun Facts
- Cheesecake was first originated in Ancient Greece on the island of Samos, over 4,000 years ago. ...
- National Cheesecake Day is July 30th. ...
- Our customer favorite is Outrageous Oreo. ...
- Our first cheesecake inspiration came from. ...
- Cheesecake is actually a pie, not a cake!
Founded by Harry Rosen in 1950, Junior's landmark restaurant is known as the home of New York's best cheesecake. For decades, Brooklynites (and other New Yorkers) have come to eat, laugh, and kibbtiz (argue) over cheesecake. In the 1950's, an entire generation came of age at Junior's.
When was the first cheesecake factory built? ›
Our first restaurant opened in Beverly Hills, California in 1978 with the initial intention of promoting the sale of cheesecakes and other baked desserts to other foodservice operators, retailers and distributors.
When was the first cake ever made? ›
The earliest cakes were very different from the cakes we know today. They were more like bread and were sometimes even savory. The first mention of cake dates back to the 4th century BC when a Greek writer mentioned a cake made with honey and wheat flour.
What state is known for cheesecake? ›
New York is not the only place in America that puts its own spin on cheesecakes. In Chicago, sour cream is added to the recipe to keep it creamy. Meanwhile, Philadelphia cheesecake is known for being lighter and creamier than New York style cheesecake and it can be served with fruit or chocolate toppings.
What are the three types of cheesecake? ›
New York style cheesecake, classic cheesecake, and no bake cheesecake are the most popular types of cheesecakes, but the best cheesecake flavor is the one that you find irresistible — and that may be different for everyone.
Is cheesecake a cake or a pie? ›
Given cheesecake's structure, ingredients, and the way it is baked, cooked, and served, we're chiming in to say that cheesecake is a hybrid between cake and pie. It's not possible to pick a clear-cut side. It's a category all on its own, and it's a delicious one at that.
Cheesecake was a significant dish in ancient Greek cuisine and culture. It was not only enjoyed as a dessert but also as an offering to the gods during religious ceremonies and festivals. The combination of cheese and honey held symbolic importance, representing the duality of life's flavors—sweetness and bitterness.
Why is cheese called cheesecake? ›
While it's called cheesecake because cheesecake is generally unleavened and usually has a crust—whether that crust is baked or not—it's is really a form of pie. Most baked cheesecakes use a custard base for filling comprised of milk, eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla or other flavorings.
What does cheesecake say about you? ›
Lovers of cheesecakes often enjoy the finer things in life, all without being overly pretentious. Being loyal to everyone around is one of your strengths, and no man or woman is left behind on your watch.
What is the oldest family owned restaurant in the United States? ›
For more than 180 years, Antoine's has been serving fine French-Creole cuisine within the heart of New Orleans's iconic French Quarter — making it the oldest family-run restaurant in the U.S. Dating back to 1840, when a young French chef by the name of Antoine Alciatore set down roots in a location just a block down ...
What is the oldest American restaurant? ›
The White Horse Tavern is the “oldest operating restaurant in the U.S.” and is acknowledged as the 10tholdest in the world. The White Horse Tavern is a National Historic Landmark being America's oldest restaurant, having served guests since 1673.
How far did Da Band walk for cheesecake? ›
Remember Diddy showed us his real colors in 2003 when he made Da Band walk 12 miles to get him a slice of cheesecake just because he could.
Is New York cheesecake the original cheesecake? ›
While many people believe that this decadent treat originated in New York City—and understandably so, as it is the Big Apple's signature dessert—accounts of cakes made of cheese date back to ancient Greece.
Did cheesecake originate in Germany? ›
The first “cheese cake” may have been created on the Greek island of Samos.
Does cheesecake come from Italy? ›
While cheesecake itself did not originate in Italy (it actually comes from Greece), the popular dessert has made its way there and taken hold. As bakers and dessert lovers know, there is a wide variety of types of cheesecake, with different flavors, textures, and richness.
Who invented cream cheese? ›
United States. Around 1873, William A. Lawrence, a dairyman in Chester, New York, was the first to mass produce an unripened fresh cheese known generically as cream cheese. In 1872, he began manufacturing Neufchâtel cheese. By adding cream to the process, he developed a richer cheese that he called "cream cheese".
