National Coconut Torte Day

Coconut tortes are a unique treat to have, as tortes aren’t exactly a cake nor exactly a pastry. Also, why coconuts? What’s the fascination with coconuts and desserts in today’s culture?

Well, today’s National Coconut Torte Day, a day to celebrate the history of the combination of tortes and coconut into its delectable dessert that exists today.

History of National Coconut Torte Day

“Torte” is the German word for cake and it is a type of cake that uses groundnuts as the predominant dry ingredient in place of flour. A torte is usually made with several layers and filled with whipped cream, buttercream, or jam.

The first kind of torte to exist was the Linzer Torte, made from an almond shortcrust pastry and filled with red currant jelly. Claiming its fame from Linz, Austria, it’s known as the oldest known-cake in the world, originally believed to have begun during the 1600s from Vienna Stadt und Landesbibliothek.

A recipe book containing various recipes from the most famous chefs and bakeries at the time.  Today, there is a wide variety of torte made by bakeries everywhere, including the delicious coconut torte.

Coconuts, on the other hand, may have been around a lot longer than people would think, originally being traded to by Arab traders carrying coconuts from India to East Africa almost 2,000 years ago.

These same traders also introduced the coconut to Europeans among the Asian Silk Roads, one of the more famous being Marco Polo, who called the coconut “The Pharaoh’s Nut” in the 13th century. It didn’t earn its name until the 16th century as it was similar to the Portuguese word cocuruto, which means “crown of the head”, as it looked like a person’s skull.

From there until the 19th century, many used the coconut as decorations and food, believing it had magical healing powers, which is probably why they decided to put it into desserts.

The idea of a coconut cake came to surface in the 1920s and was served at ladies gatherings, and from there, people began to experiment with coconut, and thus eventually created the coconut torte.

How to Celebrate National Coconut Torte Day

Celebrate Coconut Torte day by making one yourself! With plenty of recipes online, you can easily create your own delightful dessert treat for you and your family to enjoy.

If you don’t feel you’re good at baking, then head on over to your local bakery and see if they have or could make one for you.

Share this holiday on social media using the hashtag #coconuttorteday and let your friends and family know today’s a great day to eat a torte and discover its delicious origins.