Pavlova Dessert History
This light, fruity pie with crust made of meringue is the national dessert of both New Zealand and Australia. Pavlova is a colorful, elegant dessert that usually boasts lighter-than-air meringue, juicy green kiwis, luscious strawberries and/or raspberries or tangy passion fruit, and mountains of whipped cream. The meringue shell is creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Pavlova Controversy
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Controversy sizzles surrounding the origin of the pavlova dessert. Both Australians and New Zealanders claim to be the first creators of the dessert, and a good-natured rivalry still exists between the two countries about the matter.
The Pavlova Name
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Anna Matveyevna Pavlova (1881-1931) was a prima ballerina from Russia who, even now, is considered one of the most famous dancers the world has ever seen. The pavlova dessert first appeared on the scene soon after she toured New Zealand in 1926 and Australia in 1929.
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Pre-existing Meringue in New Zealand
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One reason New Zealanders feel they have the right to claim origin of the Pavlova dessert is that a recipe predating Pavlova's visit existed in a cookbook published in 1926 that described a fruit-filled meringue pie. Too, when the ballerina toured Wellington, New Zealand, in 1926, it is said that a chef at the hotel where she stayed dreamed up the dessert in her honor, using the beautiful tutu she performed in as a basis for the appearance of the dessert.
Australian Contender
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In 1935, Chef Herbert Sachse of the Hotel Esplanade in Perth, Western Australia, claimed to have enhanced an existing meringue and fruit recipe found in the magazine "Women's Mirror Magazine" and to have both created and named the dessert at that time. He said he served the Pavlova dessert at high teas held at the hotel. Of the dessert, he is reported as saying, "It is as light as Pavlova."
Fun Pavlova Fact
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Traveling even further back in time, a 17th century chef was noted to have suggested filling the depressed centers of meringue shells with fresh-fruit preserves. The Pavlova plot thickens.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Pavlova Dessert (Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image)
