10 little known facts about Tiramisu (2024)

Tiramisù is a kind of Italian dessertsthat typically contains coffee. There are as many varieties of tiramisù as there are speculations about its origin today. Traditional tiramisù includes soaking ladyfingers or other dry sponge cakes in espresso coffee.

The soaked sponge cake is then coated with mascarpone and zabaglione, an Italian whipped custard made from marsala wine, eggs, and sugar. The finished tiramisù is then dusted with cocoa powder or chocolate flakes. Of course, as with all popular desserts, there are numerous variations of the classic italian recipe. Some enjoy sprinkling biscotti throughout the layers for a little crunch; others prefer ricotta cheese to the traditional mascarpone.

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Tiramisù, though relatively modern in origin, is one of Italy’s most recognizable sweets and frequently appears at the top of internet searches for the country’s bestItalian desserts. It is so popular that every year, there is a Guinness World Records ceremony for the world’s largest tiramisù. Honestly, im not surprised !

Italy is one of the most popular destinations for foodies. It is home to some of the best pastas, pizzas, and desserts in the world. tiramisù is no exception. Creamy, light, and delicious- it’s no wonder that tiramisù has become a worldwide favorite dessert! But do you know all there is to know about this Italian classic? Keep reading to Find out 10 little known facts about one of your favoriteItalian desserts.

1. To this day its origins are not clear

The exact origins of tiramisù are surprisingly complex and hotly disputed, even for such a seemingly basic dessert. Some sources say that tiramisù was first made in the late 1700s.

Chefs in the Italian province of Tuscany created a multilayer dessert similar to tiramisù to commemorate Grand Duke Cosimo di Medici’s visit to the region. The dish was then eventually introduced to the town of Trevisa, near Venice, where it quickly gained popularity and became a big part of the culture and community. It is said that people traveled to the area and tasted the beautiful coffee-flavoredItalian dessert, bringing news of the tiramisù throughout the United States. Some tiramisù experts, on the other hand, consider this long-lasting legacy a little far-fetched.

The experts note that although layered desserts have been popular in Italy for centuries, tiramisù as we know it today is a relatively recent creation. After conducting a research of Italian cookbooks, one historian discovered that the first description of tiramisù didn’t in fact appear until 1968.

2. ”It’s a pick me up”

It’s all in the name. tiramisù literally translates to “pick me up,” “carry me up,” or “lift me up.” The dessert’s name was apparently chosen to allude to the heavenly texture and flavor of theItalian dessert. However, owing to the strong espresso coffee and high sugar content, the more reasonable translation of tiramisù is “pick me up,” given that’s exactly what it does.

3. Theres even a holiday for it

Tiramisù has grown so popular that it was designated an international food holiday in 2017, World Tiramisù Day, which is celebrated around the world on March 21st each year ever since. In my opinion, every day should be world tiramisù day !

4. Theres not just one type

Modern recreations of thisItalian dessert, the tiramisù, are surprisingly good too! It’s the same concept just switch up the types of cookies, dippings and creamy layers. Pavesini, Savoiardi or sponge cake can be dipped in liquids like Marsala, rum,amaretto, limoncello,brandy or fruit juices topped with creamy alternatives to mascarpone such as flavored whipped cream, yogurt, or ricotta. Some completely scrap the espresso so the kiddies and picky eaters don’t miss out anduse fruit instead, and for even more of a wow factor, others use grated chocolate instead of cocoa powder to top it off.

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5. Weight is just a number

The record of the largest tiramisù is 3,015 Kg which was prepared in Gemona del Friuli, Italy, on the 25 May 2015. This unbelievable creation used a total of 350 kg zabaione cream, 750 lt coffee,625 kg mascarpone,625 kg cream,450 kg savoiardi biscuits,250 kg sugar,25 kg cocoa and last but not least 25 kg whipped cream. Im just as in shock as you are !

6. There’s always room for more

The longest tiramisù, prepared by Galbani Santa Lucia in Milan, Italy on March 16th 2019, measures 273.50 m. The tiramisù was created by students of the Milan cooking school run by Chef Stefano Callegaro, who won season four of “Masterchef italia”. Mamma Mia !

7. Look it up!

tiramisù is that popular that it, like many other Italian dishes, has become an international term. It has been confirmed that tiramisù is now recognised as an Italian gastronomic term in 23 different languages. And is the most searched italian word in china.

8. The sky’s the limit

The tiramisù has even made it into space! On a mission to the International Space Station in 2013, Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano requested a special menu. A dehydrated tiramisù from Turin chef Davide Scabin of the Combal.Zero restaurant satisfied his cravings.

9. Movie recognition

Many movies have featured the famous “tiramisu”, either in single scenes or even in the title. An Italian comedy, named “Tiramisù,” directed by Fabio De Luigi, is one example, along with the Chinese film directed by Dante Lam in 2002 Just to name a few.

10. It’s not as hard as you think it is!

Although you may not feel confident in recreating this iconicItalian dessert,i assure you, it’s actually not that hard !

But if you want a perfect tiramisù without having to prepare it, im certain a quick “Italian restaurants near me” google search will help satisfy your cravings. If you’re looking for the best of the best though, stop in at ourItalian restaurant Sydneyand we’ll show you what the fuss is all about.

10 little known facts about Tiramisu (2024)

FAQs

What is a fun fact about tiramisu? ›

tiramisù literally translates to “pick me up,” “carry me up,” or “lift me up.” The dessert's name was apparently chosen to allude to the heavenly texture and flavor of the Italian dessert.

How to stop tiramisu from going soggy? ›

Tips For Making The Best Tiramisu

Don't soak! Quickly dip the cookies into your coffee or liquor. Try not to leave them in the liquid too long—a quick dip will do. Overly soggy cookies make for a wet texture and a messy dessert.

Does tiramisu have a lot of caffeine? ›

If coffee is an ingredient of a dish there is likely caffeine in it. That being said, it very much depends on how much coffee is used in the recipe in question. For instance, tiramisu typically uses less than half a cup for the whole cake, so your caffeine intake will be minimal.

How did tiramisu get its name? ›

The word Tiramisù literally means “pick me up”. It comes from the Treviso dialect, “Tireme su”, Italianised into Tiramisù in the latter half of the 20th century. Historical records state that Tiramisù originated in Treviso in 1800.

How old is tiramisu? ›

Tiramisu appears to have been invented in the late 1960s or early 1970s, but where and when exactly is unclear. Some believe the recipe was modeled after sbatudin, a simpler dessert made of egg yolks and sugar. Others argue it originated from another dish, dolce Torino.

Will tiramisu keep me up? ›

Your chosen dessert could help to keep you awake, too. Rob says: “Tiramisu is probably the most obvious caffeinated dessert as it contains coffee but also anything with dark chocolate will contain a little caffeine.”

How long does tiramisu last? ›

How to Store Tiramisu. Leftovers should be refrigerated immediately and will last 4 days. You can either transfer it to an airtight container or wrap the dish well with plastic. If you plan on making this recipe ahead of time, it's best served after 1-2 days.

Why does my tiramisu taste watery? ›

The other main reasons the mixture would be runny is if other liquid ingredients have been added first, or if the mascarpone has been beaten so much that it has curdled (then you will get water separating out from the cheese curds).

How to tell if mascarpone is bad? ›

Check the "use by" date on the package for storage time, but it's generally a week. Mascarpone tends to go bad quickly, so use an open container within a few days; return any unused portion to the fridge with the lid tightly sealed. If it develops mold or if its aroma or color is off, discard the entire package.

Can people under 18 eat tiramisu? ›

Yes. The amount of alcohol in a slice of tiramisu is so slight, it has no effect even on a minor. A person would have to consume multiple whole cakes to feel anything, by which time the sugar would have made them hyper or sick.

Can pregnant people eat tiramisu? ›

Many homemade desserts, including mousse, meringue, and tiramisu, also contain raw eggs. If a store-bought version won't do, there is a safe way to prepare your favorite recipe. Some supermarkets sell pasteurized eggs, which are OK to eat raw. Make sure the label on the eggs specifically states "pasteurized."

How much is tiramisu at Costco? ›

The regular price for the Costco tiramisu cake is $16, but we've actually seen them marked down to $13 on some occasions.

Did you know facts about tiramisu? ›

Its origins can be traced back to the Italian city of Treviso in the late 17th century. According to popular belief, tiramisu was first created as a way to provide nourishment and energy for the workers in the region. It quickly gained popularity and has since become a staple in Italian cuisine.

Who is the father of tiramisu? ›

Restaurateur Ado Campeol, fondly known as the 'father of tiramisu', died on 30 October. He was 93. He was the owner of Le Beccherie — a restaurant in Treviso in northern Italy — and took charge off it after the second world war.

Why does tiramisu split? ›

Mascarpone has a very high fat content and so will split more easily than double/whipping cream or cream cheese. Once the mascarpone has split it is quite difficult to recover, though if you catch it early (very fine grains) sometimes you can correct it by very gently whisking in (by hand) a little cream.

What is the special meaning of tiramisu? ›

The literal meaning of Tiramisu in Italian is “pick me up” or “cheer me up”. As the name implies, this is an iconic Italian dessert that is served at the end of the meal that hopefully “cheers you up”.

What is classic tiramisu nutrition facts? ›

Nutritional Info
Allergen (Egg)E
Serving Size129g (4.6 oz)
Calories370
Total Fat (g)26
%Daily Value**33
23 more rows

Is tiramisu made of chocolate? ›

Tiramisu is a traditional coffee-flavored Italian cake made from layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream, topped with a dusting of cocoa powder. Typically the mascarpone cream is made with a mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese.

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