How sweet it is: destinations and their desserts

Aug 30, 2011 6:18:13 AM

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Culinary indulgences come easy to the traveller, especially when it’s something sweet. Most destinations have at least one signature dessert – that one confection that they do so well; that certain dish that has history in every bite. Here are six cities and their famous desserts to try:

Turkish Delight in İstanbul

Image by jg-fotos

Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir was the most famous of all Ottoman confectioners. He came to İstanbul from the mountain town of Kastamonu in 1777 and opened a shop in the Old City where he concocted delicious boiled sweets and the translucent jellied jewels known to Turks as lokum - and to the rest of the world as Turkish Delight. Today, locals still buy their lokum from branches of the business he began over two centuries ago.

The flagship store of Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir is located near the Spice Bazaar. There are also stores on İstiklal Caddesi and in the produce market at Kadıköy. A more recent family dynasty has been established at Herşey Aşktan, opposite Pera Palace Hotel. Its delicious Turkish Delight can be packaged in decorative boxes, creating a perfect gift to take home to friends and family.

Cheesecake in New York

Image by killrbeez

Sure, cheesecake, in one form or another, has been baked and eaten in Europe since the 1400s. But New Yorkers have appropriated its history in the form of the New York–style cheesecake. Immortalized by Lindy’s restaurant in Midtown, (which was opened by Leo Lindemann in 1921) the version served there — made of cream cheese, heavy cream, a dash of vanilla and a cookie crust — became wildly popular in the ’40s. Junior’s, which opened on Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn in 1929 (and more recently in Midtown) makes its own famous version of the creamy cake with a graham-cracker crust.

Gelato in Florence

Image by needoptic

During Renaissance and 16th-century Florence, two cooks made ice-cream history: Ruggeri, a chicken farmer who made it to the culinary big time thanks to a sorbet he made for Catherine Medici; and Bernardo Buontalenti, a well-known architect who produced a frozen dessert based on zabaglione (a dessert of whipped egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine) and fruit. Both are considered founding fathers of Italy‘s gelato culture. You’ll usually be asked if you want panna (cream) with your ice cream. A good call is si.

Florentines take their gelato seriously. There’s a healthy rivalry among the local gelaterie artigianale (makers of handmade gelato), who all strive to create the creamiest, most flavourful and freshest product in the city. Flavours change according to what fruit is in season. Three of our favourites are: Gelateria dei Neri (semifreddo-style; cheaper than its competitors; wild flavours like gorgonzola); Gelateria Vivoli (tubs only – eat in the pretty piazza nearby); and Grom (a newcomer using many organic ingredients).

Gula Melaka in Melaka

Image by chee.hong

Made from sago, palm sugar and coconut milk, this traditional dessert is rarely served outside of the home. While gula melaka refers to palm sugar, it plays such an intrinsic part of this popular sweet that the dessert is commonly known by that name, although you may see it called Sago Gula Melaka. You may find it on the menu of a few Malaysian restaurants, particularly in Melaka, but why not try mastering it yourself by following this recipe?

Brussels Waffles in Ghent

Image by adactio

A sure-fire way to tell natives from tourists is how they order waffles. Locals never order them consume these sweet snacks with whipped cream, chocolate or other elaborate toppings (except sometimes fruit). Instead, a Brussels waffle – a large, light rectangle with 20 ‘squares’, usually eaten in tearooms and brasseries – is traditionally buttered and sprinkled only with icing sugar.

Etablissement Max is an elegant brasserie run by Yves Van Maldeghem whose entrepreneurial family started out with a mobile waffle stall at a fair. Yves bakes waffles using his family’s 120-year old waffle irons, and also makes pancakes and sizzling apple fritters. To bake your own, pick up Jan Gheysens’ Belgian Waffles and Other Treats here, which contains Yves’ family recipes.

Pastel de Nata in Lisbon

Image by mu foo

With every bite of a Portuguese sweet, you’re consuming a little bit of history. Portugal‘s sweets industry was crystallised when the Arabs introduced sugar to the country. In medieval times, enterprising nuns and monks made – and sold – doces conventuais (literally, convent sweets). The best known of these is the pastel de nata, a creamy, egg-based custard tart. Why the eggs? The story goes that nuns stiffened their habits with egg whites and, to consume the leftover yolks, devised special recipes. Since 1837, a patisserie called Antiga Confeitaria de Belém has been transporting locals to sugarcoated nirvana with heavenly pastéis de belém: crisp pastry nests filled with custard cream, baked at 200°C for that perfect golden crust, then lightly dusted with cinnamon.

Got any more desserts to add to the list?

Further reading: Destinations that pair well with wine and beer.

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Comments

31 August 2011 10:18AM globalcitizen01 Report this comment
Whilst certainly not unique to this destination, and I believe Chinese originally, I had the absolutely best and most amazing Deep Fried Ice Cream last year in Kuala Terengganu in Malaysia.
The "crust" around the ice cream was crisp on the outside and then seemed to have about a centimeter of spongy cake before getting to the ice cream. It was awesome!
http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com
31 August 2011 5:57PM poekie Report this comment
When in the Netherlands, you need to treat yourself to a plate of Poffertjes - tiny, fluffy pancakes with a whip of butter and powdered with sugar. This might sound similar to the Belgian waffles, but the joy of Poffertjes begins by seeing them made! Don't just order, but stand by as the dough is poured into the one-of-a-kind baking form and turned with practiced skill and a little show-effect (spoiler alert, I won't give away more). My favourite place to go is Visser's Poffertjessalon in the center of Dordrecht. If the weather is fine, you can take your treat out on the buzzing terrace sitting on the Tolbrug for people-watching. If it's not, hang out at Visser's which has the "gezellig" atmosphere of a local pub. Let me know if you liked it :)
2 September 2011 7:35PM ukbliss Report this comment
Greece: 'galaktompoureko', 'mpougatsa' (pastry filled with custard cream, topped with sugar and cinnamon' or 'ravani' - traditional baked dessert
England: bread and butter pudding
Brazil: acai berries with granola
Thailand: coconut rice pudding with mango
4 September 2011 2:14PM aimbug Report this comment
Sachertorte in Vienna and flan in Mexico came to mind for me...
4 September 2011 5:45PM thomaswamsteker Report this comment
Ever heard of 'crêpes' in France? They're probably the most famous dessert in the world. Other tasty dessert, like 'Crème brûlée' originate here as well. In The Netherlands, 'poffertjes' and 'oliebollen' are well known, though uncommon as a dessert. The super-sweet 'Baklava' is well-known throughout Greece, Turkey and surrounding countries. 'Brussels Waffles' or 'Gauffres de Liège / Luikse Wafels', as we call them in the BeNeLux, are not only eaten in Ghent but everywhere in Belgium.
4 September 2011 5:47PM thomaswamsteker Report this comment
'Crumble', 'Sticky toffee pudding', 'Banoffee pie', 'Pavlova', etc. are well-known desserts throughout the UK and Ireland.
4 September 2011 7:53PM susalo Report this comment
Just got back from Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, and although I don't usually have a sweet tooth, I have to recommend their "bienmesabe", a mixture of almonds, sugar and honey with vanilla ice-cream.
6 September 2011 4:25PM superdog87 Report this comment
I have to say, another must try is mazapán from SANTO TOMÉ Obrador de Mazapan in Toledo, Spain. Of course, you can get mazapán from other bakeries too, but after you try this one, you can definitely tell the difference in standards.
For those who are in Asia, I would recommend trying egg tarts at Lord Stow's in Macau. While they have a branch in the Venetian, be sure to try it at the main shop in Coloane. The custard is definitely of better quality. Even if you have been to Lisbon, try this one too as the custard is of a different texture.
I also recommend trying wife cakes in Hong Kong, particularly at Hang Heung(恒香) in Yuen Long.
And last but not least, there's Penang, Malaysia. My personal favourite bakery is Him Heang, and I would recommend trying the Tambun Pneah and the Beh Teh Saw.
7 September 2011 1:52AM pontex Report this comment
This list must include a sweet shop in India, especially any of the fabulous sweets created for Diwali.
7 September 2011 1:57AM QueenofWonderland Report this comment
Dont forget to try Apple strudel if visiting Vienna, most bakeries have a home made version.
11 September 2011 7:41AM athlon_2o0o Report this comment
Try Portuguese egg-tarts in Macau. Awesome.
18 September 2011 2:32AM La_Marianne Report this comment
When in France...Macarons chez Ladurée. Mint macaron is my absolute favorite!
18 September 2011 11:25AM akosistella Report this comment
Try our refreshing "halo-halo" (literally, mix-mix) in the Philippines! Shaved ice w/ milk over preserved and fresh fruits, w/ a scoop of ice cream on top. A national dessert, esp. during the summer months of March-June. ;p
20 September 2011 12:01PM morgs81 Report this comment
such a short list!
+1 for Macarons in France (but becoming very popular in Japan!) These lil bites of squishy heaven encased in a delicate shell are fast becoming a cult dessert with their variety of flavours and the masters degree required to bake them!
-Lamingtons in Australia, Also Pavlova (or NZ depending on where you're born)
- Banana pancakes off the street in Thailand, you'll know what I mean if you've been, always a line at each corner vendor.
- Switzerland: Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate! mmm Lindt
Also +1 for the aforementioned strudel, sachertorte, crepes, baklava.
20 September 2011 1:27PM simplysepti Report this comment
Has anyone taste this lovely Chocodot...? Chocolate filled with exotic tasted Dodol, a traditional sweet dessert from Garut - Indonesia.
http://www.chocodot.com/
20 September 2011 9:18PM kazza01 Report this comment
I'm on a mission to try these all! So much deliciousness, so little time!
20 September 2011 10:23PM sajvv Report this comment
Don't forget the koeksisters and melktert in South Africa!
20 September 2011 11:54PM techhousejesse Report this comment
Lonely planet.... You must have missed my Eton mess when compiling your list!! Really can't wait to try the banana pancake, or coconut rice pudding with mango, they sound incredible!!!
21 September 2011 1:48AM websterella Report this comment
Beingets in New Orleans Zeppoli's in NYC's Little Italy Loukoumades from Greece
Any place where they do fried dough sprinkled in sugar...
21 September 2011 2:58AM patokc Report this comment
Let's not forget Argentina's favourite sweet "dulce de leche", also known as "manjar blanco" (Chile, Bolivia), "arequipe" (Colombia, Venezuela) and "cajeta" (Mexico)!!!
21 September 2011 4:50AM giopassarelli Report this comment
I fondly remember some kind of coconut pancakes I ate in Bangkok once, they were wonderful and available on the stret and even in the food areas of some department stores.
French macarons, I must agree, are amazing, particularly at Ladurée.
Papanasi, a kind of donut made with cottage cheese and topped with fruit jam and heavy cream are a delicious memory from Romania. As are Loukoumades, a kind of donut from Greece, coated in sugar and cinnamon... Lovely.
My own country, Guatemala, has some amazing desserts, but as with the rest of the local cuisine, are mostly ignored by foreign visitors. (Sad for them, good there's more left for me... LOL). "Rellenitos de plátano", a fried plantain batter filled with sweetened mashed black beans, topped with heavy cream and sugar, are amazing. (And my favorites) As are the traditional handcrafted candy sold in several specialised stores around Antigua, wonderful. Oh god, I'm hungry now...
21 September 2011 4:58AM giopassarelli Report this comment
nd I was forgetting Lebanese pastries! How could I? They are to die for. I'd go there just to have a taste of those wonderful, extra sweet, nutty delights. Drooling now... LOL
21 September 2011 5:53AM melania25 Report this comment
What about kurtoskalacs from Hungary and alfajores from Argentina?
21 September 2011 11:43AM leonorep Report this comment
Noto, Sicily, home of what some consider the world's best ice cream! Corrado Costanzo, via Spaventa 7. And then after you've stuffed your face here, stroll over to Caffe Sicilia, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, for cassata (ricotta cake with marzipan) or almond milk ice cream. If you still have room, sample the sesame crunch and candied fruit.
21 September 2011 7:16PM tamaradeprez Report this comment
And I'd like to add Umm Ali dessert in Egypt (kind of bread pudding) - delicious and also available in the UAE.
When it comes to the Brussels waffles, I completely agree with Thomas that it is available all over Belgium, not only in Ghent. However, Luikse waffles are different from Brussels waffles. The first mentioned ones are usually sold in supermarkets (and contain a lot of sugar), which is not the case with the Brussels waffles.
22 September 2011 2:35AM 165ingrid Report this comment
Not a sweet lover at all, but when I think on the German delcious Blackforest cherry cake, with a fantastic combination of sweet chocolade wipped cream and the sour cherries, yes I would like to eat that....