International Tiramisu Day

Tiramisu, the most famous Italian dessert, found on almost all menus in Italy and in many Italian restaurants around the world, is honored and enjoyed today on International Tiramisu Day. Tiramisu is made by soaking ladyfingers, a type of sponge cake biscuits, in coffee, like mocha or espresso, layering them with a cream filling made from mascarpone, eggs, and sugar, and topping the creation with cocoa powder.

There are many variations of the dessert, with over 200 takes on the basic recipe. Savoiardi or Pavesini ladyfingers can be used (the two main locations where tiramisu is believed to have first been made use Savoiardi), and sometimes whipped cream is used instead of mascarpone. Some types of tiramisu also have alcohol, being flavored with sweet Marsala wine, or Fernet, brandy, Cognac, or coffee liqueur.

Legends abound as to how tiramisu got its start, but two main stories carry the most credence. One says that chef Norma Pielli of Albergo Roma, a hotel in Tolmezzo, in the province of Udine in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, developed the recipe in the hotel's restaurant, where she served hikers who traversed the Alps. The story says that the name tiramisu, which means "pick me up" or "strengthen my body," was given to the dessert by one of the hikers, and that the recipe was published in 1959. The other main story claims that chef Roberto Linguanotto introduced tiramisu at Le Beccherie in Treviso, in the Veneto region, in 1972. Linguanotto is said to have gained inspiration for his creation from sbatudin, a dessert made of egg yolk whipped with sugar from northeastern Italy.

International Tiramisu Day, held on the first day of spring, was started in 2017 by Italian food writers Clara and Gigi Padovani, who decided to create it after releasing their book Tiramisu: History, curiosities, interpretations of the most beloved Italian dessert the previous year. The day is marked by eating tiramisu, of course, and there have also been competitions for making tiramisu during some observances.

How to Observe International Tiramisu Day

• Make some tiramisu for you and loved ones to enjoy.
• Have some tiramisu at an Italian restaurant near you. Of course, the ideal place to get it is in Italy, so if you happen to be there, have it at one of the best places that serve it, or even at Le Beccherie or Albergo Roma, the two places where it is said to have been invented.
• Look for tiramisu-making competitions taking place today to watch or be part of.
• Consider being part of the next Tiramisu World Cup.
• Follow the day's official Facebook page.
• Post about your tiramisu creations and other ways you are celebrating tiramisu on social media with the hashtag #InternationalTiramisuDay.

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