Food - Drink
Why The Mimosa Cake Is Used To Celebrate Women's Rights
By ARIANNA ENDICOTT
Desserts are often associated with holidays, like fruitcake on Christmas and babka on Hanukkah; International Women’s Day is no different. When the day was first celebrated in Italy in 1946, activists Rita Montagnana and Teresa Mattei offered mimosa flowers to their fellow women; the flower became a symbol of the holiday and, later, so did the mimosa cake.
The name of the cake comes from its resemblance to the mimosa flower and it was invented by pastry chef Adelmo Renzi in 1962, when he entered it into a pastry contest in San Remo. The traditional cake is made from custard and whipped cream, then covered in soft spongy squares to create the crumbly-looking top.
In Italy, the holiday is called Festa della Donna and the mimosa flower is presented to mothers, wives, daughters, and friends. The flower was reportedly chosen because (like women) while the blooms may present with a delicate appearance, they have the ability to grow and thrive in harsh conditions.