Cheesecake is a popular dessert originating from ancient Greece. The earliest attested mention of a cheesecake is by the Greek physician Aegimus (5th century BCE), who wrote a book on the art of making cheesecakes (πλακουντοποιικόν σύγγραμμα—plakountopoiikon sungramma).* The main ingredients commonly founded in cheesecake are soft fresh cheese (typically cream cheese), eggs, and sugar.
This dessert can be categorised into 2 basic types: baked and unbaked. Baked cheesecakes come in 2 styles: rich and light; Unbaked cheesecakes typically involve shaping the raw cheese mixture with a gelling agent such as gelatin.
Baked-Rich Series
This series typically consists of dense and creamy cheesecakes, as most recipes use a large amount of cheese in their preparation. As a result, these are considered high-calorie and high-sugar desserts, especially when additional cream and other ingredients are used to enhance the flavor. Common examples include the classic New York Cheesecake and the crustless Basque Burnt Cheesecake.
Baked-Light Series
The soft and fluffy style of cheesecake, known as soufflé cheesecake or cotton cheesecake, is a healthier variety that features a lighter, airier texture compared to the richer versions. With less cheese and sugar, it has lower calories, fat, and sugar content, allowing indulgence without the guilt. A prominent example is the popular Japanese Cotton Cheesecake.
Chilled and Unbaked Series
This is also known as a "no-bake cheesecake" because it does not require baking. By simply adding a gelling agent to the cheese mixture and shaping it in a mold, this dessert has become a favorite choice among beginners. Unlike traditional baked cheesecakes, it avoids the risk of overbaking or underbaking and offers a higher success rate. Common example includes Oreo Cheesecake and Tiramisu.
Healthy or Not?
Cheesecake contains nutrients like protein, calcium, and selenium due to its dairy content. However, it is also high in calories, fat, and sugar, so it should be consumed in moderation. Additionally, since no-bake cheesecakes rely on chilling rather than cooking, improper handling of ingredients can increase the risk of harmful bacteria growth.
Cheesecake remains one of the most popular desserts for the sweet tooth and also a cake that people love to hate. Therefore, it's advisable to have it occasionally and limit the portion for each intake.
*reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callimachus