Have you ever heard of a Pavlova? It is a meringue-based dessert that consists of whipped egg whites with a light soft inside and a crisp crust. The dessert is lastly topped with fruit that varies based on where you buy it such as strawberries or blueberries. Maybe you have heard of a pavlova but do you know its rich and complicated history? According to Senior Renata Alvarez Gil she actually has an insight into the Pavlova’s delicious flavor.
“I love how Pavlova’s taste and they seem so elegant and fresh,” said Renata.
First, the Pavlova dessert was named after Anna Pavlova, a Russian prima ballerina from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a great debate as to what country the dessert is originally from with both Australia and New Zealand claiming to be its inventor. As the legend holds, the Pavlova was born in the 1920s when Anna Pavlova toured Australia and New Zealand. As widely believed in New Zealand, a Wellington hotel chef created the dessert because he was inspired by her tutu and wanted to depict her elegance. According to Australians however, they believe that Pavlova was created in a hotel in Perth and somebody exclaimed it to be “light as Pavlova.” Senior Victoria Chevallier has some thoughts to share on this rich history.
I did not know that a dessert’s origins could be so complicated, but I think it’s really interesting.”
— Victoria
During Anna Pavlova’s prime, she was iconic. She had different countries making dishes named after her with the United States inventing Pavlova ice cream and in France frog legs. According to researchers Annabelle Utrecht and Dr. Andrew Paul Wood, who are an Australian and a New Zealander, the Pavlova has connections from Germany and America and that the recipe “may have travelled to Australia and New Zealand on the back of a cornstarch box.” (Food52) Senior Lara Carmona has certain feelings towards Anna Pavlova.
“Imagine being that famous at a time before technology was really advanced and having so many countries name desserts after you,” she said.
Ultimately, Australia nor New Zealand can claim to be the inventors of the Pavlova because the researchers found a Pavlova recipe from 1911. Still, both countries are still recognized for having preserved as well as popularized this dessert.
