Dessert

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The term Dessert has been derived from an old French word desservir, meaning “to clear the table”. It is served at the end of the meal and usually consists of something sweet. Sometimes, strongly flavored cheeses are also served as desserts.

The term dessert is common in the American English, Canadian English, Australian English and French languages. However, it has become a universal word for sweet dishes.

In some countries, dessert is not a separate course in a meal. Sweet items are served throughout alternating them with savory items. Such examples can be found in the Chinese cuisine. Sometimes, desserts are eaten as an entirely separate meal instead of it being a part of the main meal. In informal settings desserts are usually eaten after the meal is over, giving a time interval between the two. Some restaurants specialize in such desserts.

The Western culture adopted the practice of serving desserts only lately. Before the 19th Century desserts were a luxury afforded only by the aristocrats or eaten on extremely special occasions. Now, with sugar coming within reach of the middle class, it has become almost customary to serve desserts at the end of a meal. Its increasing popularity can be attributed to its deliciously appealing taste.

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Common desserts

There are huge varieties of desserts available today and most cultures have their own specialities. Some popular desserts are given below :

  • Ice cream
  • Biscuits
  • Cakes
  • Cookies
  • Fruits
  • Custard
  • Sorbets
  • Souffles
  • Trifles
  • Puddings
  • Pies
  • Meringues
  • Gelatin desserts
  • Crumbles
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