Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: March 27th, 2022. Today is National Black Forest Cake Day. I don’t know about you, but Charlie and I haven’t ever had a slice of Black Forest Cake because we don’t care for Cherries and that isn’t going to change. We will sit this Holiday out unless you want to come and visit us and you would like a slice of Black Forest Cake which I can pick up at the Grocery Store before you arrive.
National Black Forest Cake Day
Facts about Black Forest Cake:
- Typically, Black Forest Cake consists of several layers of Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream and Cherries between each layer.
- In some European traditions Sour Cherries are used both between the layers and for decorating the top of the Cake.
- Traditionally, Kirschwasser which is a clear Liquor distilled from Tart Cherries is added to the Cake, although other Liquors might be used.
- Black Forest Cake is named not directly after the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) Mountain range in Southwestern Germany. The Forests in “Hansel and Gretel”, “Snow White”, and “Rapunzel” are based on the Black Forest.
- The record for the world’s largest authentic Black Forest Cake, weighed 3000 kg, and was set at Europa Park, Germany on 16 July 2006, by K&D Bakery.
If you are like most people, you like Black Forest Cake, and you bet we there super excited for when March 28th rolls around because they get to celebrate National Black Forest Day. The absolute beauty of the Black Forest Cake itself deserves its own celebration. Like those Chocolate shavings accompanied with Maraschino Cherries and White Cream! Don’t even get us started on the taste of the Black Forest Cake because then we are going to be here for a while. Did you know the Black Forest Cake was originally a simple dessert consisting of Cream, Cherries, Chocolate, and Alcohol?
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BLACK FOREST CAKE DAY
There are many conflicting historical reports about the exact origins of the Black Forest Cake, but all attest to its taste. Some historical scholars believe that Black Forest Cake was invented in the 16th Century in a German town called Baden-Wurttemberg. Not only was the time and place famous for its Romantic era, but it’s also known as one of the first places where Chocolate started to be added into Cakes and dessert recipes. Baden-Wurttemberg was also famous for its Sour Cherries and Kirschwasser, a Cherry Brandy. It is believed that the Black Forest Cake gets its name from the Alcohol. ‘Schwarzwald’ is the German name for the Black Forest, and a Black Forest Cake is called ‘Schwarzwälder Kirsch’ in German.
Another story points to Black Forest Cake being invented in 1915 by Josef Keller, a Pastry Chef at Caf Arend in Bad Godesberg. But iBlack Forest Cake only started becoming popular around the 1930s. Interestingly, another historian claims that the master Patissier, Erwin Hildenbrand, was the one who came up with the recipe in 1930. Hildenbrand had been working in different areas of the German Black Forest.
Today, Black Forest Cake is enjoyed in many parts of the world with slight variations. The American Black Forest Cake does not have Alcohol in it but, in places like Austria and Germany, a Black Forest Cake must have Alcohol in it for it to even be considered a Black Forest Cake in the first place.
NATIONAL BLACK FOREST CAKE DAY ACTIVITIES
- First and foremost, if you are not going to be indulging in Black Forest Cake on National Black Forest Cake Day, then you need to figure out your priorities. It’s okay if you don’t want to consume Alcohol or you are a Vegan, you can still get a Cake with all your dietary restrictions.
- Put on your apron, and make a Black Forest Cake however you like but, keep its authentic flavors with Whipped Cream, Cherries, and Chocolate. The best part is you can adjust the proportions according to your liking.
- Since we are on the topic of Black Forest Cake, why should the White Forest Cake be left behind? Try making a White Forest Cake or make a combination of the two Cakes.
5 FACTS ABOUT MARASCHINO CHERRIES
- Maraschino Cherries lose a lot of their nutrients during the bleaching and brine processes, not to mention the fact that Maraschino Cherries are high in sugar.
- The bright red dye used contains a carcinogen called Benzidine and this can cause Bladder Cancer.
- Maraschino Cherries were considered luxurious in the early 1900s as they were intended for fine dining.
- Dr. E. H. Weigand, in 1919, further developed the Maraschino Cherries’ recipe by using a brining process instead of the usual Alcohol technique.
- While red is one of the most common colors used, Maraschino Cherries also come other colors like gold, green, blue, and yellow.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL BLACK FOREST CAKE
- We know it has been said that that one way to appreciate another Country’s culture and history is to explore their food dishes. Black Forest Cake has a lot of history attached to it. From the ingredients in Black Forest Cake and the places the ingredients are sourced from to how it is sold.
- While the essence of a Black Forest Cake has remained the same throughout the years, there have been slight variations in the recipe which has traveled across Countries and Continents. Most of America and Countries like the UAE enjoy Black Forest Cake without the addition of Alcohol. Vegans have also adjusted the dessert with their own preferences. But one fact remains and that is the absolute joy Black Forest Cake brings.
- Black Forest Cake Day is a celebration and everyone who loves Cake will celebrate today.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
