Imagine a time when the sweet, spiced aroma of plum cake wasn't a familiar winter delight in India. Hard to picture, right? But believe it or not, there was a "first" plum cake, and its story is as rich and flavourful as the cake itself!
Our tale begins not in a bustling Indian kitchen, but across the seas, with the arrival of European traders and missionaries. They brought with them not just goods and faith, but also their culinary traditions. Among these was the precursor to our beloved plum cake ā a rich fruitcake, often made for festive occasions like Christmas.
Now, picture this: the year isĀ 1883. The setting is Tellicherry (Thalassery) in Kerala, a vibrant port town with a burgeoning trade network. A local entrepreneur, Mambally Bapu, owned a successful bakery called Mambally's Royal Biscuit Factory. He was known for his innovative spirit and keen eye for new tastes.
-The Challenge That Baked History
One day, a British planter named Mr. Murdoch Brown, a regular customer, walked into Bapu's bakery with a request. He had brought a sample of a rich plum cake from England andĀ challenged Bapu to recreate it. He even provided a list of ingredients, some of which were quite exotic for India at the time ā things like dates, raisins, currants, and various spices.
Bapu, always up for a challenge, accepted. He meticulously studied the ingredients and the cake's texture. He even sent his workers out to source specific local alternatives for some of the ingredients that were hard to find. The magic, however, lay in theĀ preparation of the fruits. They needed to be candied and aged, a process that takes time and patience.
After several attempts, fueled by dedication and a passion for perfection, Bapu finally presented his creation to Mr. Brown. The first bite was a revelation! The cake was moist, fragrant, and bursting with the flavors of dried fruits and spices, perfectly mirroring the English original, if not surpassing it.
And so, in the heart of Kerala,Ā the first plum cake in India was born!
The news of this delicious new cake spread like wildfire, and soon, Mambally Bapu's plum cake became a sensation, marking the beginning of a sweet legacy that continues to thrive across the country.
-Taste the Tradition with Bakezee
Here atĀ Bakezee, we cherish this rich history. We've dedicated ourselves to upholding the tradition and craft of this beloved dessert, which is why we proudly call it the Royal Zlice.
We've crafted theĀ Royal ZliceĀ in the same manner that you have in your hand, honouring the original spirit and dedication.
