Cake - a traditional part of human culture

Neolithic people baked simple cakes by crushing grains and cooking it on a hot stone. The early forms of cakes were essentially bread and there were not much to distinguish them from each other. The first culture with significantly advanced baking skills was the ancient Egyptians but their cakes too were also bread like and sweetened with honey instead of sugar. In many ancient cultures, cakes were also associated with religious rites and festivities. They were used as offerings for gods and spirits. During the Harvest Moon festival the Chinese made moon cakes which were offered to the lunar god. The Celts too had Beltane cakes which they used to roll down a hill in imitation of the solar cycle. The ancient Greeks too had a form of cheesecake, and the Romans developed early versions of fruitcakes with raisins, nuts and other dry fruits. In the 14th century Britain, bakers used to make enormous cakes which even lasted for months.

The modern form of cakes arrived during the 19th century with the introduction of the chemical raising agent bicarbonate of soda and baking powder. Along with the introduction of accurate temperature controlled ovens, these new techniques made baking much easier and the production of cakes also increased. In the old days, cakes were affordable to only the rich upper classes but with increased food grain production and the new developments in baking, cakes became less costly and affordable to everyone. Now Cakes are popularly consumed all over the world by people of all class and creed. Cakes work up the appetite of everyone and they are a favorite treat for people of all ages whether they are young kids or adults.

Cakes have been used in ceremonies and social events since time immemorial. They have retained their ceremonial importance and now cakes are integral to many social occasions such as birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. And with the wide variety of cakes available these days, this wonderful sweet food-item can satisfy every preferences. Cakes are popular as gift-items too and many internet gift sites provide cake delivery services around the nation and other parts of the world. You can now order cake online and get it delivered straight to your home or you can send cakes to India for the special occasion of a loved one.