Eton mess: How a timeless English dessert gained global fame

Eton mess is an iconic English dessert that has won fans all over the world. The cups contain everything that makes desserts great: sweet meringues, strawberries, and whipped cream. It is perfect for both small and large occasions or any day when only a sweet dessert can cheer you up.

Its name refers to the somewhat accidental method of preparing this dessert. The most popular legend speaks of a cricket match played between Harrow and Eton College. During the sports event, a basket with Pavlova meringue was knocked over by a Labrador. The cake fell apart, the ingredients mixed, and a sweet mess was created.

Another theory says that this dessert was served in 1893 at the wedding ceremony of Prince George and Princess Mary of Teck. Many stories related to the creation of the dessert are essentially legends and anecdotes that become more colourful over time. My favourite remains the one with the Labrador, and considering the liveliness of dogs, it even sounds plausible.

Even though the exact origin of Eton mess may be a mystery, it does not detract from its taste—this dessert simply steals hearts. Adults love it, children devour it, and the cups always return empty.

Ingredients: 

• 350 grams of strawberries
• 500 millilitres of 30% cream
• 65 grams of powdered sugar
• 55 grams of meringues

Decoration: 

• a mint leaf.

Preparation method:

Step 1. Wash the strawberries and place them in a bowl. Blend them into a purée.

Step 2. Pour the well-chilled cream into a bowl and whip it until stiff, adding powdered sugar as needed. Crumble the meringues in a separate bowl.

Step 3. In a cup, layer the whipped cream, strawberry purée, and crumbled meringues. Then, add another layer of cream, strawberries, and meringues. Decorate with a mint leaf. Enjoy!