HAVE THE CAKE AND NAME IT TOO

Why Angel Food Cake? We Explain The Name Of 10 Cakes

Image: Ravi Sharma

While a cake can be a common, modest sweet treat for everyday situations, this kind of preparation is usually made to mark special occasions or to enjoy as a delicacy in tea houses. And, as such, some of these confections can get quite fancy. Some of its notable exponents have ambitious names like Chiffon Cake or Angel Food Cake—names that attempt to express with words the flavor experience these treats provide. Follow us as we uncover the meaning behind some of these delicious names!

Image: amirali mirhashemian

Velvet is a lush, dense fabric, famous for its softness. Its name is usually associated with smooth surfaces and textures, and the world of food is no exception. The famous Red Velvet Cake got the "velvet" part of its name thanks to the softness of its texture, and the "red" part, thanks to the raw cocoa powder employed in its confection, which turned red in the presence of buttermilk.

During World War I, many bakers were forced to turn to grated beets or beet juice when eggs and milk were in short supply.

Image: matheussgoncalves

Despite its dark brown chocolate color, the Black Forest Cake is not called that way because it resembles the dark wooden logs in the forest. Instead, its name comes from a sour cherry brandy called Schwarzwalder Kirschwasser (Black Forest Cherry Brandy) developed in the Black Forest region of Germany.

Black Forest cake is made by soaking the chocolate sponge in sugar syrup flavored with cherry brandy and topped with whipped cream. The German variation of Black Forest cake uses buttercream, while Austrians make theirs with whipped cream, gelatin, and cornstarch.

Image: Aveedibya Dey

The habit of pairing coffee with cake began in Europe around the 1600s, with the introduction of the beverage. Germans and Dutch favored sweet pastries and cakes as their accompaniment of choice.

The "coffee cake" was brought to the United States in the late 1800s and it was adapted into more of a pastry than bread. Then, in the 1950s, bakers began making coffee cakes in Bundt pans to better support a heavier batter and thick streusel topping. Modern coffee cake can be made with a variety of toppings, icing, fruits, and nuts.

Image: Nathalie Jolie

The angelic nature of the Angel Food Cake resides in its light, airy texture, made possible by a ridiculous amount of eggs. It is categorized as a "foam cake" because it derives its structure from heavily beaten egg whites.

Angel Food Cake is highly versatile. Although vanilla is the most traditional flavor, bakers can substitute citrus or almond extracts, as well as add unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolate version. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves can also be used for a spiced undertone.

Image: Olga Petnyunene

On the other side of the spectrum, we find Devil’s Food Cake. This confection has a dense texture and derives its structure from vegetable oil. Unlike its angelic counterpart just mentioned, Devil's Food Cake uses leavening agents like baking soda and baking powder to rise.

There is evidence that shredded beets were added to the first Devil's Food Cake recipes to add moisture and sweetness, making it a precursor to the popular red velvet cake.

Image: sheri silver

A simple name for a simple cake, indeed. The Pound Cake’s origins stem from the 18th century British, illiterate home bakers who relied on simple memorized recipes to produce consistent bakes. A classic pound cake is made with a pound of each of the following ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. While the recipe has been updated over time, its core ingredients remain the same.

Image: CreativeCoffeeConsulter

A cake as fancy as its name implies, the Opera Cake is a traditional French dessert with three layers: almond sponge, espresso buttercream, and chocolate ganache. This cake was named after French pastry chef Cyriaque Gavillion's wife, who remarked that his chocolate creation resembled the Paris Opera House.

The flour is traditionally made of a mix of almond flour and white pastry flour, and a layer of espresso-brandy syrup is soaked into the cake for flavor before the entire cake is covered in espresso buttercream and delicate chocolate ganache.

Image: freestocks

In a similar style to the previously mentioned Red Velvet Cake, Chiffon Cake was named after a fabric. Chiffon is known for its lightness and the Chiffon Cake aims to recreate this texture with vegetable oil and soda for texture and rise. These ingredients give chiffon cake a comparatively heftier texture than a sponge cake.

Chiffon cake is most commonly associated with citrus flavors. Orange, almond, chocolate, and coconut are four of the most popular chiffon cake flavors; the citrus notes are accented by a light, fluffy batter.

Image: Luke Pennystan

Quite similar to pancakes or hoecakes but not exactly the same, Johnnycakes are made with yellow or white cornmeal mixed with hot water and milk. They may be served slightly sweet or savory.

The origin of Johnnycakes is not entirely clear, but they likely have Native American roots, originating from what Pawtuxet Indians referred to as "Shawnee cakes." Johnnycakes can also be served with syrup and butter (a la pancakes) or fresh fruit.

Image: yadetzy0

A more straightforward name than most of the ones found on this list (with the possible exception of the Pound Cake), Poke Cake is made by poking small holes in the top of a baked cake and adding a layer of flavored gelatin or pudding.

To make this cake, prepare the mix as directed on the box and bake. Then poke ½-inch holes into the cake and pour the prepared Jell-O mixture over. Once the cake has set, it is topped with whipped cream and served.

Healthy talk

How many apples do you eat a day? 10 health idioms everyone should know

Image: Mockup Graphics

Do you keep up with the latest health news? What daily habit do you think is your healthiest, and which one do you feel you should try to change? Health is an important issue for everyone, and our language is proof of that! English offers us many health-related idioms with very interesting origins. Some of them will give you valuable tips, others will teach you a lesson, and others will make you laugh out loud. If you want to discover the meaning and roots of 10 popular health idioms, read on!

Image: Javier Balseiro

Let's start with a classic. You were probably just a child the first time you heard that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." We have nothing against doctors; it's just that we'd rather not have to visit their office!

While it's not entirely true that eating an apple keeps you from getting sick, this idiom highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.

This popular saying is believed to have originated in Wales in the 19th century. The earliest surviving written version is from 1866 and reads, "Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread." It became popular in our country during the 20th century, and it changed its format several times until it reached the current version.

Image: Nathan Hurst

Do you have a slight headache? Do you feel like you need some rest? Is your stomach giving you a hard time? If you want to express that you're not feeling well, you can say you're "under the weather."

This expression, so famous today, is believed to have originated among sailors. When someone felt seasick or affected by the weather conditions, this phrase was used. It first appeared in written records in the 19th century and became more and more popular over time.

Image: Piret Ilver

Here's a truth everyone should hear: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Hand in hand with the apple that keeps the doctor away, this idiom reminds you how important it is to take care of your body and mind. The use of "ounce" and "pound" emphasizes the idea that small preventive steps can help you avoid big problems in the future. You know, it's better to stop ailments before they start, so you don't have to deal with them later. The expression is often used in different contexts and situations beyond health.

Did you know that this phrase is attributed to Benjamin Franklin? That's right! The Founding Father included it in his "Poor Richard's Almanack" of 1736.

Image: Aziz Acharki

If a friend tells you they are "in the pink," you should celebrate! This idiom is used to indicate that someone is in excellent health. But what does wellness have to do with the color pink? Well, there are a couple of theories about this expression's origins.

The first indicates that it dates back to the 1500s when the color pink was used to describe or represent perfection. Other scholars claim the idiom is the result of a modification of the word "pinnacle," indicating that something or someone was at the top or in the best possible situation.

It was not until the 17th century that the idiom began to be especially linked to a person's state of health.

Image: Sardar Faizan

Do you remember when you were very young and took a pill for the first time? Hard to swallow, right? Some medications are more "swallowable" than others, and the tough ones can be a problem.

In this popular idiom, the pill serves as a metaphor to represent a big problem or a difficult truth to accept. But the thing is, even if some medicines don't taste good or some pills are too big to swallow, we must take them to make the pain go away or help us heal. What do you think?

Image: Alexander Grey

An idiom often used in fiction, especially when dealing with villains, is "A taste of your own medicine." While it's not limited to the medical field and is used in different contexts every day, the expression actually originates from a story about a doctor.

We're talking about the Quack Doctor, one of Aesop's fables. In the story, a swindler deceives people into believing he has a cure for every illness. Later, this "doctor" is tricked into tasting his own fake medicine, which ends up causing him harm.

This popular expression has survived to this day and often indicates that someone received the same treatment they gave, usually negative. Some medications may taste bad, but when it's about your own medicine, it's definitely a hard pill to swallow!

Image: Online Marketing

If your doctor says you have a "clean bill of health," congratulations! It's time to celebrate, as the expression implies that something or someone is in excellent condition, whether it's about a person's health, a computer's performance, or a company's accounts. In other words, people say it when things (or our bodies) are working optimally, so there's no reason to worry.

The idiom is believed to have originated in shipping during the 17th century. The captain of a ship was often required to provide a health certificate indicating that the entire crew was free from infectious diseases. That was commonly known as a "bill of health."

Image: Conscious Design

The '70s and '80s were golden years for many of us, and during that time, there was a particular expression that took on a lot of popularity.

Okay, it seems that pills take up a lot of space in this article. But this one is not hard to swallow; in fact, it's quite the opposite: a "chill pill!" While not real medicine, if someone tells you to take the famous chill pill, it doesn't mean you should run to the pharmacy; they're suggesting that maybe it's time to take a deep breath and focus on nice things.

Image: Baher Khairy

The expression "fit as a fiddle" is used to describe someone in excellent shape or health, but the meaning of this phrase was not always the same.

From the beautiful sound they produce to their detailed and fine design, violins, also called fiddles, are symbols of elegance and sophistication. The saying dates back to 17th-century British English, when "fit" meant something closer to "suitable," "proper," or "seemly." Over time, both the term "fit" and the whole expression slightly changed their meaning to the one we know today, associated with athletic and healthy people.

Image: Helena Lopes

Anyone who has seen or been around a horse will understand what this phrase refers to. Strong, muscular, fast, tough, and smart, horses have always been considered symbols of health and endurance.

"Healthy as a horse" means that someone is fit and full of energy. A person described this way not only possesses good health but also has a vigorous and resistant appearance.

While the precise origin of the expression isn't known, it's believed to have come into use in the 19th century or even earlier, as horses have been associated with different types of endurance work since ancient times.