Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: June 17th, 2022. Today is National Apple Strudel Day and I know David would enjoy having one for breakfast. Charlie he said he will pass as he doesn’t care for Strudel and neither do I. How about you. Do you like Apple Strudel and would you like some with David?
HISTORY OF NATIONAL APPLE STRUDEL DAY
While the origins of the first National Apple Strudel Day remain unclear, the origins of the dish are also somewhat unclear. Many believe Apple Strudel is a German dish, but many others consider Apple Strudel is Austrian. Some going as far as saying that Apple Strudel is the national dish of the Country. The first written record of dessert exists at ‘Wienbibliothek im Rathaus,’ which is the Vienna Town Hall Library, from 1697. It was during the Austro-Hungarian reign of the Eighteenth Century in Austria that the dessert really took off with the masses. Yet, the famous Apple Strudel, according to many scholars, may have originated in Greece or Turkey.
Through historical records, it is believed Apple Strudel’s popularity in Europe was the direct result of growing globalization. Trade routes and international travels trace the earliest records of Strudel to an Assyrian manuscript from the Eighth Century B.C. In these papers, the dish is described as a full meal made from Puff Pastry layers with Honey and Nuts. The Mesopotamian kingdoms and the extensive usage of the Silk Road ensured the arrival of the sweet Strudel to Greece and Turkey. For Greece, the inspiration led to the creation of ‘güllaç,’ which is a Cornstarch Pastry with the goodness of Pomegranate, Rose Water, Milk, and Nuts. On the other hand, the Turkish came up with ‘Baklava,’ which is a multilayered Pastry sweet of a variety of Nuts including Pistachio and Peanuts that have been roasted and cooked in a Sugary syrup. Both the dishes today are enjoyed in Ramadan, which is the fasting month for Muslims. Coming back to our equally beloved Apple Strudel, the Dough for the treat is made by repeatedly flogging the Dough against a tabletop. As layers start forming, each of the layers is filled with spiced Apple slices and Nuts. In the traditional recipe, the Strudel is shaped into a swirl into the baking container. Then the Strudel is baked until the Dough is completely cooked and takes on a golden shade.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL APPLE STRUDEL DAY
- Eat an apple strudelWelcome the day by eating an apple strudel for breakfast, but do not stop there. You can have an apple strudel for your evening snack or as a dessert after dinner. Whether you enjoy it with cream, or ice cream, or icing sugar, or just as it is, having an apple strudel will never be a wrong idea.
- Make an apple strudelThere’s a lot of technique involved in making an apple strudel. You have to pound the dough to give it the texture. But if you are not in the mood to work those biceps, don’t fret because you can just buy some ready-made pastry dough for the strudel. Choose your choice of favorite fillings to go along with your apple slices, and you are good to go.
- Share with family and friendsDouble the joy by sharing the treat with your friends and family. You can invite them over or have a party virtually. Whatever you choose to do, it is going to be fun because apple strudel is involved.
5 FACTS ABOUT APPLES THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
- Crabapple is true AmericanThe crabapple is the only variety of apples that is native to North America.
- Four to five years to savor an appleIf you want to plant an apple tree in your backyard to enjoy the fruit, you will have to wait for four to five years because that is the amount of time apple trees take to produce their first batch of apples.
- Humans have been eating apples since 6500 B.C.Archeologists discovered that humans have been harvesting, consuming, and enjoying apples since 6500 B.C.
- Apples great fiber sourceThe apple fruit does not contain any fat or sodium, and it is a good source of fiber.
- Ripen apples at room temperatureIf you wish to ripen your apples, you should do so at room temperature because they ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than in the refrigerator.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL APPLE STRUDEL DAY
- It’s a celebration of apple strudelApple strudel is a sweet treat enjoyed by many all over the world. It has traveled over the continents and over time to come to us in the shape of the recipe we enjoy today. Due to its versatile nature, you can enjoy it at any time of the day without feeling guilty.
- It’s a celebration of culturesThe many varieties of strudel today showcase the traditions of different cultures. Whether you like your strudel sweet and fruity, or you like nutty, or you like it plain simple and savory, there’s something for everyone here.
- It’s a celebration of food experienceFood not only sustains us, but it is also a life experience that must be enjoyed to the fullest. The distinct textures and tastes paired with the wafting aromas that pull a person towards the food are, at the core of it, what makes food an experience to live through.
Today’s Five Facts of Apple Strudel:
- A strudel is a type of layered pastry with a — most often sweet — filling inside, often served with cream. It became well known and gained popularity in the 18th century through the Habsburg Empire.
- Strudel is most often associated with Austrian cuisine but is also a traditional pastry in the whole area formerly belonging to the Austro-Hungarian empire.
- The oldest Strudel recipe (a Millirahmstrudel) is from 1696, a handwritten recipe at the Viennese City Library, Wiener Stadtbibliothek. The pastry has its origins in the similar Byzantine Empire or Middle Eastern pastries.
- Strudel is a loanword in English from German. The word itself derives from the German word Strudel, which in Middle High German literally means “whirlpool” or “eddy”.
- In Hungary it is known as rétes, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia as štrudla or savijača, in Slovenia as štrudelj or zavitek, in the Czech Republic as závin or štrúdl, in Romania as ștrudel, and in Slovakia as štrúdľa or závin.
I have a question for you this morning, are you ready to celebrate National Cherry Tart Day on June 18th by eating Cherry Tarts in your town? Now is the time to paint the town red Cherry red. You should dedicate a few minutes of the day to pay tribute to the lip-smacking Cherry Tart. Originating from a Tart that, once upon a time, had a Meat filling. Cherry Tarts are the favorite of all those who prefer Fruit Tarts over plain Custard Tarts. Grab your dessert forks and get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHERRY TART DAY
The origins of National Cherry Tart day are linked to the annual National Cherry Festival held in Michigan every year, The State that grows 75% of the U.S. Cherry crop. The holiday was formulated and celebrated because Cherries are Fruits that have a very short growth period. Hence, it’s not a surprise the Fruit has become a Seasonal hit in several regions of the Country.
Did you know Cherries did not exist in the U.S. until Cherries were brought to the land of hope by early French settlers in the 1600s who grew Cherry Trees in their gardens. Things evolved in 1852 when a Missionary named Peter Dougherty planted Cherry Trees in Old Mission Peninsula. At that point in time, the Trees bearing Fruit was a far-fetched idea. To everyone’s surprise, the Cherry Crop flourished. Seeing this, neighbors in the area began planting Cherry Trees, too. This led to the beginning of modern-day Cherry production and, in 1893, the first Cherry Orchards were planted in Michigan.
Soon Cherry business blossomed and the industry reached great heights in the 1900s. Today, over 650 million pounds of Cherries are produced in the United States, most of which are used to make tasty desserts.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL CHERRY TART DAY
- Grab your friends and head out to a dinner that offers Cherry Tarts in town! There might be several places that offer good Tarts but the challenge is to narrow it down to visiting at least one new place every year.
- If you have time host a Cherry Tart baking competition to pay tribute to the art of cooking Cherry Tarts. Most importantly, you will get to try different recipes.
- Host a fun and messy all-you-can-eat Cherry Tart contest and the people present at the event can upload pictures with using a certain hashtag showcasing your adventures.
5 FACTS ABOUT TARTS
- Did you know the largest Tart in the world weighed 4,800 lbs.
- The Rudolph the Ruby Nosed Reindeer Tart costs $615.
- The French word ‘tarte’ is used to describe a Tart as well as a Pie.
- Tarte Tatin is an upside-down Tart.
- Medieval Tarts had meat fillings.
WHY NATIONAL CHERRY TART DAY IS IMPORTANT
- National Cherry Tart Day provides a look into the history of Tarts, and when the dessert was created, and how the recipe has evolved over time.
- The holiday serves as a good opportunity to provide information about Cherries that grow in the U.S. and how critical it is to maintain these Cherries.
- With so much talk about Cherry Tarts on this holiday, it is not a surprise that many Americans get inspired to create their own Tart.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
