Top 10 Desserts Around the World
Desserts are an important part of most people's lives. They satisfy the sweet tooth and are often a highlight of every meal.
The world is full of mouth-watering desserts and they all come from different places. Here are some of the top 10 desserts around the world: Gelato – Italy
1. Gelato
When it comes to frozen desserts, gelato is a beloved treat around the world. This Italian treat is similar to ice cream but has a softer, smoother texture that gives it a luxurious mouthfeel.
Gelato is often made from milk, sugar and natural flavors. It also uses less cream than ice cream, which makes it lower in fat and calories. Gelato is also churned at a slower speed, which reduces the amount of air that is incorporated into the product.
This allows the flavors to come through more fully and makes for a denser consistency. Gelato can be enjoyed as an over-the-top sundae or even on its own with a spoon. It can be found in every corner of the world and is a staple for summer. It is a perfect way to cool down on a hot day!
2. Pavlova
Pavlova is a show-stopping dessert that looks intimidating, but is actually fairly simple to make. It requires a bit of patience and planning, but it’s worth the effort because it is so delicious and impressive!
The dessert is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who performed in Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s. Both countries claim credit for creating this ethereal confection, which is a wonderful vehicle for whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruit.
The texture of pavlova is like a lover’s dream come true—a marshmallowy texture on the inside and crunchy crisp around the edges. It is a gluten-free and low fat dessert, and it pairs beautifully with fresh berries, lemon curd, or even just a drizzle of flavored syrups like maple or date caramel sauce. Try sprinkling on some chopped pistachios and a pinch of flaky salt for an extra special treat.
3. Bingsu
Bingsu is a refreshing dessert that hails from South Korea. It is a variation of the shaved ice desserts found throughout Asia, including Filipino halo-halo and Japanese kakigori.
Pillowy shards of ice are covered in sweet flavoured ice creams and chewy bites of tteok (glutinous rice cakes). Popular flavors include green tea, strawberry, red bean and more.
While bingsu can be enjoyed as a standalone treat, it is also an excellent bonding experience for friends and family members. It is also a great opportunity to showcase one’s creativity by choosing one’s favourite toppings. Keep in mind that a typical serving can be quite high in sugar and calories, so for healthier choices stick to only fruit. Chewing on chunky shaved ice is hard on the teeth and can damage enamel. To avoid this, opt for a smoother texture bingsu like pistachio bingsu or red velvet bingsu.
4. Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a light yet indulgent Italian dessert that combines sponge cake, cocoa powder and mascarpone cheese. There are many legends surrounding the origin of Tiramisu, including one that says it was created in a brothel to revitalize clients and keep their sex lives going.
But that's probably a bit of a stretch. Instead, one theory is that it was a cook's take on sbatudin, which is an egg yolk and sugar mixture often served to peasant families in northern Italy for its restorative powers (it can even be used as a sedative).
Whatever the case may be, Tiramisu spread all over the world after it was invented at a restaurant in Treviso, a city and province north of Venice. In fact, the name itself comes from the Friuli Venezia Giulia dialect phrase tirami su, meaning literally "pick me up." The dessert should be left in the fridge for at least four hours to overnight if possible.
5. Dulce de Leche
Dulce de leche is a pantry staple throughout Latin America. Tubs of this creamy, glossy milk jam sit on kitchen tables and line supermarket shelves the way peanut butter does in the United States.
Dulcé de leche, whose name translates to "sweet of milk" in Spanish, is similar to caramel sauce but with a thicker, spreadable consistency. It is often used as a filling for foods like alfajores, churros, and cakes, and as a topping for desserts like flan or other puddings.
This sweet treat is easy to make at home with just a little patience and the right slow cooker. Whether stirring a spoonful into your coffee or drizzled on top of an ice cream sundae, this caramel-like dessert is a crowd pleaser.
6. Mango Sticky Rice
A traditional Thai dessert, Mango Sticky Rice is an irresistible combination of sweet mangoes and creamy coconut milk with sticky glutinous rice. This dish is most popular in the summer when mangoes are at their ripest.
The dish is also served in Thai restaurants around the world and is easy to make at home. Glutinous rice is similar to regular rice but sticks together when cooked and has a much sweeter, more pleasant flavor.
The coconut sauce for this dish can be thickened with either rice flour or cornstarch. This step is optional but helps to keep the sauce from running off of the plate and onto the table. Traditionally, the dish is garnished with roasted mung beans or sesame seeds but this can be skipped if preferred. The mung beans give a crunchy texture that balances the soft sweetness of the dish.
7. Doughnuts
The doughnut is a type of fried pastry that has a hole in the middle and may be sweet or savory, and can be filled with fruit preserves (the jelly doughnut), cream, custard, chocolate, or ice cream. It can be coated with powdered sugar, cinnamon, sprinkles, or frosting.
The ring-shaped doughnut is probably the most commonly recognized, but it also comes in other forms such as balls, flattened spheres, and twists. The doughnut is usually served as a snack or dessert, often accompanied by coffee or milk.
The doughnut first appeared in American cookbooks around the 18th or 19th century, and once baking soda and baking powder became readily available, they became a very American treat. Today, they are enjoyed by millions of Americans in various flavors and shapes and can be purchased from shops, convenience stores, gas stations, or cafes.
8. Pavlova from Australia and New Zealand
Named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who toured both countries in the 1920s, the dessert has become a beloved treat. It’s usually served with fresh fruit (usually berries like strawberries and raspberries, but also kiwi) and whipped cream.
It’s been a topic of dispute among Australian and New Zealanders, who have claimed bragging rights over who created the tasty treat first. The Kiwis believe a Wellington hotel chef invented it in her honor in 1926, while the Aussies credit the dish to chef Herbert 'Bert' Sachse from Perth, WA.
But after scouring tens of thousands of cookbooks, Dr Andrew Paul Wood and Australian Annabelle Utrecht concluded that the pavlova didn’t originate in either country. Instead, it likely began in Germany, and then made its way to Australia and New Zealand via passenger steamers and luxury liners.
9. Pavlova from South Asia
If you want a showstopping dessert that is light and airy but also melts in your mouth, pavlova is the way to go. This meringue-based dessert takes its name from Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova and is loved by many around the world.
The best pavlovas are crispy on the outside and marshmallow-like in the middle. They are often topped with fresh fruit and make the perfect dessert for parties, special occasions, and holidays.
It's also a great way to use up any leftover egg whites you may have. Just make sure your eggs are at room temperature and to add cream of tartar to help the meringue hold its stiff peaks. A pavlova is gluten-free and wheat-free, which makes it a great option for those with food allergies. It can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
10. Tiramisu from Italy
There are few desserts that have traveled the world quite like tiramisu. The Italian dessert is a classic that can be enjoyed in many different variations, including gelato and semifreddo. This is due to the fact that it is extremely easy to make, and only requires five core ingredients and a kitchen torch for the caramelized top.
The origin of tiramisu is debatable, with various regions of Italy claiming the title of “homeland of tiramisu.” One theory has it that the dessert was invented in the seventeenth century in Siena as a way to honor Cosimo III de Medici’s visit. It is also claimed that it was inspired by a drink called sbadutin, which was often given to pregnant women and convalescents to help them recover their strength.
However, the most widely accepted claim for the invention of tiramisu belongs to Roberto Linguanotto, who was a pastry chef in Treviso.
