Discover the best cheesecakes in the capital and find out why they are so good
The cheesecake we know today is based on the American style, from New York City. But have you ever stopped to think about where cheesecake was created and what makes it so delicious? We spoke with chef and pastry chef Lucas Corazza to learn more about the history and some fun facts.
Origin of cheesecake
Despite the name “Philadelphia cheese,” cream cheese originated in New York City. In 1880, the Empire Cheese Company, a dairy, released the first commercially produced cream cheese. Around the same time, the Reuben’s Restaurant incorporated the ingredient into its cheesecake recipe.
The dessert was so good that a rival deli, Lindy’s, “stole” the chef from Reuben’s. In this new home, the cheesecake received a biscuit crust and was easier to slice, resembling the recipe we know today.
But the story doesn’t stop there. Even after Lindy’s closed its doors, its cheesecake remained a staple. Until one day, chef Guy Pascal decided to shake things up a bit. He started by observing one of his cooks who had previously worked at Lindy’s and ended up creating his own version of the recipe. Now, the cheesecake also had citrus zest, which added a hint of sour cream and dictated what the dessert we know today would be like.
What does a perfect cheesecake look like?
To make a delicious cheesecake you need to use cream cheese, its texture and acidity add a unique characteristic to the dessert. According to chef Lucas Corazza, the unique texture, the balanced saltiness and the freshness of the cream cheese provide unique details. Another important thing: it is necessary to have orange and lemon zest in the dough to provide a soft citrus flavor that combines with the acidity of the cream cheese. And if you are still not sure if the dessert is perfect, a tip: a good cheesecake is usually tall.
What is “Brazilian” cheesecake?
According to Chef Corazza, “a cheesecake tastes like Brazil when it plays with the crust and the toppings.” Using cornflakes, buttery biscuits and cornmeal biscuits are synonymous with Brazilian. But the toppings are our great protagonists. Cupuaçu, bacuri, pumpkin jam, dulce de leche and guava are perfect accompaniments to this dessert.
Where to eat the best cheesecakes in São Paulo?
It’s impossible not to be drooling after all this, but don’t worry, we’ll tell you where to eat the best cheesecake in São Paulo. We spoke with chefs and pastry chefs Alan Fingerman of Notorious Fish, Caio Alciati of LosDos Cantina, Rodrigo Freire of Preto Cozinha, Daniel Park of Komah and Komah Bakery, and Bel Coelho.
Hello
Located in Vila Mariana, the restaurant highlights the Taiwanese roots of Jasmine Chen, mother of the restaurant owner. From the architecture with colors and textures that recall the countryside landscape, to the menu that adapts typical dishes with local ingredients. One of the most ordered dishes at Aiô is the cheesecake (R$ 36.00) that contains guava, anise and tapioca pearls that give the cake a unique texture.
For chef Caio Alciati, in terms of technique and flavor it is the best: “The cheesecake itself is made with a lot of technique, executed to perfection and super creamy. Along with the cake you serve tapioca balls, which give a nice special texture, plus a touch of anise.”
This dessert is a great example of the marriage between Taiwanese and Brazilian culture, as it is a reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet and for its dairy characteristics, as Taiwan has a wide variety of milk.
Services: R. Áurea, 307 – Vila Mariana, São Paulo – SP. Telephone: (11) 5083-4778
Navarro Cheesecake
Specializing only in cheesecake, Navarro Bakery takes great care to maintain the perfect texture and flavor. To do this, they do not use any type of gelatin or thickener. Their syrups are made with fresh fruit without adding colorants or flavorings.
“For me, the best choice is the Navarro cheesecake with yellow fruit syrup. The origin of the ingredients, from the biscuit to the cream cheese or butter, and the mastery of the processes create my favorite cheesecake!” comments chef Alan Fingerman.
And if you have doubts about whether the dessert is too sweet, don’t worry: “I like the Navarro Cheesecake because it is a lighter recipe, with a not too sweet red fruit syrup. The cake is super creamy and compact.” , says chef Rodrigo Freire.
Services: Delivery only available at Ifood and Rappi. Phone: (11) 99331-8315
By Kim Confectionery
Creamy, dense, just the right amount of sweetness and a crunchy base. These are some of the characteristics of the cheesecake from ByKim Bakery. The matcha, for example, uses the ingredient produced in South Korea.
“Although the technique is clearly reminiscent of a Basque cheesecake, I personally feel and understand that ByKim’s product has the essence of “Korean” cheesecake, in versions like the matcha cheesecake, which are unmissable,” adds chef Daniel Park.
Services: Rua Tupi, 114 – Santa Cecilia, San Paolo – SP. Available for delivery Ifood. Phone: (11) 91317-1186
Pastry shop Marilia Zylbersztajn
The cheesecake by pastry chef Marilia Zylbersztajn is one of the ones that stands out the most, precisely because of her dedication to every stage of the preparation of this dessert. One of her differences is the fact that she makes her own biscuits. The sweet pastry is part of the base of the cheesecake, along with a mixture of cream cheese and ricotta, which gives it lightness and makes it less greasy. She also makes fruit syrups with organic products. There are 3 options: mango with passion fruit, red fruit and strawberry. They are all low in sugar and help balance the cheese.
“For me, Marília’s cake has a perfect, creamy texture. I love the version with yellow fruit syrup, which includes mango and passion fruit, very tropical.”, says chef Bel Coelho.
Services: R. Fradique Coutinho, 942 – Pinheiros, Sao Paulo – SP. Telephone: (11) 96570-0094
What is the best brand of cream cheese for making cheesecake?
We already know that cream cheese is a very important ingredient in cheesecake, but how do you find the perfect option? To answer this question, we invited a team of 5 experts to say which is the best brand of cream cheese. Throughout the text, you will also learn a little more about what cream cheese is and what it is used for. CLICK HERE
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
