AussiePOD: Aussie Picture Of the Day

Pavlova, the dessert, was named after the great Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova (1881-1931), who was the most famous classical ballerina of her era. Both Australia and New Zealand claim to have invented the Pavlova, and the debate remains open. Nevertheless, the dessert continues to be immensely popular in both countries.

According to the Australians, an Australian chef, Herbert Sachse, invented the dessert in the 1930s when a soft meringue cake was requested for an afternoon tea at the hotel where he worked. He named it after Anna Pavlova, who had visited Australia in the 1920s.

The meringue, with its unusual soft sweet marshmallow center and crisp crust is produced by folding a little vinegar and cornstarch into stiffly beaten egg whites and sugar. Once the Pavlova has been baked and cooled, whipped cream and fresh fruit (kiwi, raspberries, strawberries, and passion fruit) are mounded in the center.