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Similar Dessert, Shortcake, Chestnut, Profiterole, Swiss roll | ||
A Mont Blanc (or Mont-Blanc aux marrons) is a dessert of puréed, sweetened chestnuts topped with whipped cream. The name comes from Mont Blanc, as it resembles a snow-capped mountain.
Contents
Summary
The Mont Blanc is popular in France, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Slovakia and Hungary. It is also a very popular dessert in the northwestern regions of Romania, where it is usually prepared and sold in Autumn.
History
The dessert was described in an Italian cook book from 1475, and was often served in the home of Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia. It became popular in France in the 17th century, around 1620. Originally Mont Blancs were yellow, from using chestnuts sweetened through a pickling process.
Variations
In Japan, sometimes pumpkin, squash, and purple yam are used instead of chestnuts, and along with chestnuts, sometimes cocoa or matcha are added. There are also fruit Mont Blanc, with flavors like mango and strawberry.