Celebrated on July 30th, National Cheesecake Day is a holiday dedicated to that sweet custard tart enjoyed by millions of people across North America. It is traditionally an American holiday, but over the past few years, many people across Europe have discovered this day and have used it as an excuse to enjoy this delectable treat.

History

While no one really knows the origin of this holiday or when exactly it was started, the history of cheesecake is well documented. The first cheesecake can be traced back to the ancient Greeks; a people who not only enjoyed it as a dessert but also used it in religious ceremonies. While this dessert resembled cheesecake in texture, its ingredients differed somewhat from what is used in modern versions.

This cheesecake was made using interspersed layers of dough filled with honey and cheese and was then flavored with bay leaves before being baked. The finished product was then covered in an additional layer of honey. Many scholars believe that this cheesecake was created for special occasions such as the Olympics. Eventually, this recipe made its way into Roman culture after they adapted it for their own tastes.

Most scholars attribute the modern cheesecake to the English. They further perfected the original Greek recipe – which they obtained from the Romans – and adapted it to a form that would be more familiar to modern cheesecake enthusiasts. Immigrants would then bring the recipe to the United States, where it became the cultural sensation it is today.

Customs, Traditions And Celebrations

Most people celebrate National Cheesecake Day by either buying a cheesecake for themselves or by attending cheesecake parties that are sometimes thrown. On this day, it is also customary for businesses that sell cheesecakes to either give away free slices or to sell cheesecakes at a reduced price.

Conclusion

National Cheesecake Day is a great way for a person to acquaint themselves with a dessert that is not only one of the tastiest treats on the planet but also one that is steeped in thousands of years of history.