The ancient Greek roots of cheesecake – a 4,000 year-old dessert (pics)

By Debbie Papadakis

While sinking your teeth into the tangy creamy delight of a cheesecake that refreshens you, then chances are that you  might not think that the small island of Samos could have ever played such an important role in dessert choices that have evolved over the years. 
If asked, anyone would swear that New York is the home of Cheesecake, with its crispy biscuit base and creamy body topped with fruit eloquently prepared that is the thumb print of any chef. However, according to Physical anthropologists the first cheese cake may have been created on the Greek island of Samos after excavated cheese molds were found there dating back to 2,000 B.C.

The production of cheese products were always a main source of energy. In fact, Cheesecakes were served to athletes in the 776B.C. Olympics according to historical evidence. Furthermore, cheesecakes were embedded into Greek culture that they were used as wedding cakes at a wedding celebration-symbolizing fertility in living a strong healthy life.

Fact is that simple ingredients were used, golden wheat-flour from the plains crushed by a stone-mill, honey collected from the hives near the mountains mixed together with fresh goat-cheese pounded to a cream then baked in stone ovens, according to Athenaeus a writer who was credited in writing this recipe in 230 A.D.