History of Cakes

Do you know who baked the first cake in India? It was Mambally Bapu of the Royal Biscuit Factory at Thalaserry, Kannur who baked the first cake in India in November 1883, says P.M. Sankaran, President, BAKE (Bakers Association Kerela). To celebrate the 129th year of the first Christmas cake ever made in India, BAKE created a 1200 kg cake in the year 2012 which was as much a visual treat as a culinary one!

Not a traditional Indian cooking method, baking was in fact, brought into the country by the British who set up a bakery in West Bengal. Over time, Indians got introduced to cakes and their cooking method and amalgamated it into their culture just like the other Western influences. Given the amazing taste and appearance of cakes, they couldn’t help but fall in love with the new dessert and it became a welcome addition to the culinary repertoire of India.

The English word ‘cake’ has a Swedish origin and comes from the word ‘kaka’. The Early cakes were quite similar to bread and the only difference between the two was the sweet flavour of cakes. Ancient Egyptians are believed to be the first people to use baking as a cooking technique and there is also evidence of the Greeks offering cakes made using bread and honey to The Moon Goddess – ‘Artemis’. It is also believed that the term ‘cake’ was used to refer to smaller breads.

Fruitcakes and gingerbread were popular food items in Medieval Europe as these did not get spoilt quickly and could be stored for many days. Cakes, as we know them now, evolved in Medieval Europe where industrialization led to the availability of ovens, food molds and ingredients needed for making a cake rather easily. Dry fruits were commonly used additions to the cake recipes.

Similar to modern times, cakes were a sort of delicacy affordable by the rich so the richer you were, the more frequently you would get to eat a cake. Eggs became the preferred raising agent in place of yeast by the middle of the 18th century and Cakes, as we know them now, came into use only by the middle of the 19th century with the inventions of baking powder and baking soda. The icings only got better and better with time and the creamy frosting made using butter, cream, sugar and added flavours came into use during the 20th century.

In the modern day India, several flavours and varieties of cakes are available for celebrating special occasions like Weddings and Birthdays. It is customary to cut and enjoy a Birthday cake whenever there is a Birthday celebration no matter what age group a person belongs to. Kids’ have their own special cartoon cakes for their birthday parties while elaborate Tier cakes are most popular for wedding and wedding anniversary parties.

At Gujaratgifts.com, you can find a great variety of Special cakes like Heart-shaped cakes, Tier cakes, Cartoon cakes, Barbie cakes and Fruit/Plum cakes to help you celebrate special occasions in style.