Perhaps what made me the most excited to study abroad in Florence, Italy, was my sweet tooth. There is nothing I love more than finding hidden gems of sweet shops.
However, it turns out I had to go outside the city to begin to really experience the crème de la crème because every place has its own signature sweet.
In Prague, I had never even heard of a chimney treat until I saw this flaky pastry on the corner of every street. Little did I know that this strip of dough spun into a cone shape that is then baked and covered in granulated sugar is the signature pastry of the Czech Republic.
As I took a bite of my roommate’s covered in Nutella and my friend’s filled to the brim with apple cinnamon and whipped cream, I had truly never tasted anything like it. According to my tour guide, the delicacy has been around for centuries.
I didn’t think any other dessert had a chance beating the chimney until the unbelievable apple strudel of Berlin was sitting before me.
I thought the dessert that was often associated with Germany would be overrated, however being the tourist that I am, I had to give it a try. I was seriously wrong. From the soft dough to the fresh apples, I found myself blink once and the plate was empty.
I had hoped the sweets these places were known for wouldn’t disappoint, but I found myself even more impressed by the way Copenhagen took a swing at cheesecake. New York City had previously taken the title of best of the best in that category, but it’s got some tough competition in Denmark.
There were selections of this well-known treat I had never seen done so well, from a fruity delight of blueberries and raspberries to a piece of cheesecake layered in a coat of caramel and an Oreo cheesecake filled with nickel-size chunks of the cookie and topped with a full Oreo.
It was interesting to me how each place takes so much pride in its country through its signature dishes and its ability to recreate well-known dessert. Cuisine has proven time and time again to be one of the most prominent symbols of countries. Just take a look at Italy being known for unbelievable cannolis and cappuccinos.
Creating a fresh dessert serves more than an economic function in these countries. Cuisine is a way to show off the traditional foods that go way back in a country’s heritage, a way to connect the past to the present through taste.
Beyond that, the food of a country is a way to show pride, it’s a way to leave a mark on all of its visitors. After all when tourists reflect on a trip and have an extraordinary meal it’s always a favorite memory to recount.
apoudrie@indiana.edu
