Pavlova (dessert)

Pavlova
A pavlova garnished with kiwifruit, strawberries and passionfruit
CourseDessert
Associated cuisineAustralia, New Zealand
Main ingredientsEgg whites, caster sugar

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert. Originating in either Australia or New Zealand in the early 20th century, it was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.[1][2] Taking the form of a cake-like circular block of baked meringue, pavlova has a crisp crust and soft, light inside. The confection is usually topped with fruit and whipped cream.[3] The name is commonly pronounced /pævˈlvə/ pav-LOH-və or (in North America) /pɑːvˈlvə/ pahv-LOH-və, and occasionally closer to the name of the dancer, as /ˈpɑːvləvə/ PAHV-lə-və.[4][5][6]

The dessert is believed to have been created in honour of the dancer either during or after one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s.[3] The nationality of its creator has been a source of argument between the two nations for many years.[7]

The dessert is an important part of the national cuisine of both Australia and New Zealand. It is frequently served during celebratory and holiday meals. It is most identified with and consumed most frequently in summer, including at Christmas time.[3]

  1. ^ Boylen, Jeremy (reporter) (20 August 2004). Pavlova George Negus Tonight, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived
  2. ^ Saurine, Angela. "The Surprising Truth About Pavlova's Origins". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Leach, Helen (2008). The Pavlova Story: A Slice of New Zealand's Culinary History. Otago University Press. pp. 11–31. ISBN 978-1-877372-57-5.
  4. ^ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
  5. ^ Orsman, H.W. (ed.) (1979) Heinemann New Zealand dictionary. Auckland: Heinemann Educational Books (NZ)
  6. ^ Dictionary.com, "pavlova", in Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Source location: Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pavlova. Available: http://dictionary.reference.com. Accessed: 26 April 2009.
  7. ^ Wilson, John. "Pavlova rivalry". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 May 2020.