Time traveling with desserts: A brief history of custard

In the Middle Ages, custard gained popularity when it was combined with pastry to create custard tarts.

Yes, we're back for another exploration of culinary history, this time delving deep into the Middle Ages’ love affair with custard chronicles! Sometimes all you need to relieve your stress and problems from life is a simple bowl of deliciousness, like egg custard. Something that makes you feel good and nostalgic—that fuzzy, comforting feeling connected to happy recollections from the past. What, though, is custard? Of what is custard composed? Well, the components of a classic custard are simple: milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla essence, nutmeg, and a touch of salt. That's where the magic lies. The finished product is wonderful, smooth, and creamy.

Now, now, there are many variations of this basic recipe — the fundamental recipe has several variants; some require cream, some milk, or — others a combination of the two. Then there's the controversy surrounding eggs, which are a necessary component of custard. While some insist on using entire eggs, others can't get enough of whisking the yolks alone into the concoction. Well, the term "custard" can be used to describe a wide range of thickened foods, however, it actually only refers to an egg-thickened custard in most cases. So, now you’re aware that custard is a popular dessert in many cultures because of its delicate sweetness and creamy texture, which are achieved by slowly heating a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, and additives. Well, we have deep dived a lot into all things custard so far, and we’re spilling a sumptuous secret further right away: Traditional custard recipes mostly comprise of eggs, whose yolks give the dish a smooth, creamy consistency and a buttery yellow hue. Proteins included in both yolks and whites undergo coagulation, or the transition from liquid to solid when heated or baked. This is the reason custard has such a unique texture and appearance. Worth spending your time knowing about it, right?

Okay, but where does this dish have its origins from? History tells us the French word "croustade" which originally referred to a tart's crust, is where the word "custard" truly originated in the medieval centuries. It is also related to the Italian word "crostata”. Interestingly, when custard was combined with pastry to create a custard tart, it gained popularity as a dish throughout the Middle Ages and took the world by storm. On the other hand, once starch is added, the mixture of milk or cream, egg yolks, fine sugar, flour, or another starch, and typically a flavoring like vanilla or chocolate is called pastry cream, or confectioners' custard. Typically, custards are prepared in the oven or on the stovetop, then allowed to cool before serving. They may be created with a variety of other ingredients, such as lemon, berries, or nuts, and are quite adaptable.

To tell you further, custard-based desserts come in more than a dozen varieties, such as bread pudding, zabaglione, and crème brûlée. And, believe it or not, custard is not a modern dish. Actually, a heated mixture of milk and eggs is the foundation of custards, and it has been a common ingredient in European cooking for a long time. Add as we may a spooky touch to this delectable creamy combination, custard has been documented to have existed since the time of Ancient Rome. In a 14th-century cookbook, there's also a recipe for "Crustardes of flessh," which sounds kind of scary! The popularity of set custards had increased by the 17th century. No wonder, as ovens became more sophisticated, recipes such as crème brûlée were created and how! Centuries before, people had been experimenting with custard though. But in reality, the savory and sweet variations of the dish really started to take off throughout the Middle Ages, and not just in Europe but also in Asia. The next time you decide to make one of your favorite custard recipes, keep in mind that you are participating in a time-honored custom that even the Romans followed.

Having talked much about the history, etymology and cultural significance of custard, here’s a list of some of the best custards from around the globe. Read on.

Frozen Custard – Wisconsin

"Custard Capital of the World," Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is home to the world's first frozen custard factory and the site where more of the product is distributed globally. Made with eggs, milk, and sugar, it's a delectable gourmet ice cream dish. Its origins may be found at Coney Island, New York, where it used to be a well-liked carnival delicacy.

Crème brûlée – France

The main ingredients of this traditional egg custard treat are egg yolks, milk, sugar, and vanilla; a crispy, burned toffee topping atop. After preparing the ingredients, they are placed into ramekins, poached in a bain-marie, and then completely cooled. Serve the cooled custard in wide shallow dishes and garnish with caramelized brown sugar, either by grilling it or with a blowtorch.

Leche Flan - Philippines

A popular delicacy in the Philippines, leche flan is a caramel custard cooked with eggs, milk, and sugar, and flavored with vanilla. This shape was once accomplished using oval tin molds, or llaneras. It tastes best cold, topped with an additional drizzle of caramel syrup.

Zabaione – Piedmont

One of Italy's most beautiful desserts is the silky custard cream, or zabaione, whose origins are mysterious and little understood. The name Crema di San Baylón comes from the fact that it was purportedly created in Turin during 16th century by the Franciscan friar Pascual Baylón Yubero, who is also considered the patron saint of pastry chefs.

Thus, we recommend that you get started with the classic recipe of custard and garnish it with fruits of your choice while you serve and savor this toothsome dessert with your friends and family. Remember to add some mouthwatering Cadbury Dairy Milk or Toblerone chocolate to your chocolate custard for that rich chocolatey touch! After all, a simple trip to the kitchen is all it takes to enjoy some creamy custard; eggs and milk are always there, ready to add a little comfort to any average day. As you garner compliments from those around; later, you can go about discovering and inventing more custard recipes.