It is difficult to trace back the exact history of tiramisu as it has many conflicting stories. One of the most widely accepted origin stories of tiramisu places its creation in Treviso, Italy, in 1800 and we are going to tell you two of the popular narratives among them.

One of the most popular origin stories traces tiramisu to an aphrodisiac food. It is said that tiramisu has been popular in Italian brothels due to its mood-enhancing features. Tiramisu was invented by a “maitresse” of a Treviso brothel to offer her customers at the end of the evening to reinvigorate them when they return to their wives after spending time in the pleasure house. This story made tiramisu a natural Viagra from the 19th century.       

To stand by this story, the name “tiramisu” itself translates to “pick me up” in Italian, which can be interpreted to imply its invigorating properties. The combination of creamy mascarpone, the richness of cocoa, and the stimulating effects of coffee creates a high-calorie dessert that is not only indulgent but also potentially mood-enhancing. However, with the popular prudery, this story was kept hidden for centuries. But by the 1980s, it had become a staple in Italian-American restaurants and beyond. Its simplicity, combined with its rich and indulgent flavours, made it an instant hit internationally, including NZ. In fact, approximately 5.93% of restaurants in New Zealand feature tiramisu on their menus, highlighting its presence in the local culinary scene​. Isn’t that amazing?

Another story places the credit for tiramisu on a restaurant named Le Beccherie and its pastry chef Roberto Linguanotto who adopted the dessert from another one called “Sbatudin”, a mixture of egg yolks whipped with sugar​. This version of Tiramisu quickly gained popularity in Treviso and then spread across Italy.