1. Desserts are sometimes the most anticipated course in a meal. A not-so-pleasant
meal can be somewhat rescued if there’s a great tasting dessert. Being the last
food course, before coffee and tea, it is an opportunity for restaurants to make a
final positive impression and provide added revenue. The catchphrase “there’s
always room for dessert” is a justification for those with a sweet tooth who may have
enjoyed a heavy meal but still want their slice of cake or scoop of ice cream.
The word originates from the same French word dessert “to clear the table” or “to
serve”. In the olden times, before the manufacture of sugar, naturally sweet fruits
and honey were the original desserts consumed. With the invention of processed
sugar in the Middle Ages, more and more variations of food were sweetened to
make it more palatable and sometimes to improve shelf life. Nowadays, everyone
can enjoy a sweet end to a meal from a simple fruit salad to a decadent chocolate
trifle. Being naturally sweet, these are often enjoyed as comfort foods, reminding
one of home-cooked pleasure. Custards, puddings, flans, cakes, pies, cookies and
ice cream rank high among dessert comfort foods.
Vegans desserts are the most
easy to prepare as this course
usually does not contain any
meat products which are
more prevalent in savory
dishes. Vegetable shortening
conveniently replaces butter
while other dairy ingredients
like milk, cream and cheese
can be replaced with soy
versions, nut milks and ground
seeds. And since it is not
loaded with refined sugars
and animal fats, it is a
healthier version, low-
glycemic and cholesterol-free.
Low-glycemic food and
sweeteners do not rapidly
elevate person’s blood sugar
upon consumption, a concern
of those who have diabetes.
Fruits, nuts and seeds are the superstars in vegan desserts. Though refined white
sugar is widely used, more health-conscious vegans replace this with less processed
or low-glycemic sweeteners like honey, raw and brown sugar, extracts from sweet
plants like stevia and agave, available in health food stores. Vegan desserts easily
compare with those that contain dairy and eggs because there are many
alternatives that can be used that retain the quality of the end product minus the
saturated fat and cholesterol.
Despite the fact that vegan desserts are generally much healthier, like any type of
foods, these should still be consumed in moderation!