Ingredients
The ancient Romans had just a few ingredients to make a traditional wedding cake. The recipe was mostly based on barley or wheat flour, flavored with some local herbs and spices. Oil and honey were also used to give the cake a sweet and greasy flavor. Fruits like raisins, dates, figs, and apples, as well as nuts like pine nuts, hazelnuts and almonds, were added. One more important ingredient was wine. It provided a rich, sweet and strong heavenly taste.
Preparation
The Romans had a sophisticated way of preparing their wedding cakes. The ingredients were kneaded together in a blender or food processor. The dough was then placed in an oven or on a hot cooking stone, and baked. When done, the cake was left to cool down and then decorated with cream and glazes. Although there is no evidence that the ancient Romans iced their cakes, some historians speculate that they may have used honey to glaze their wedding cakes.
Serving
The Romans usually served their wedding cakes at their wedding feasts. The cake was shared among the guests, and some of its pieces were thrown to the brides and grooms as a sign of good luck. Apparently, the Romans believed that the more pieces they threw, the happier and more prosperous the newly married couple would be.
Symbolism
The wedding cake not only has a practical use but it also has a symbolic meaning associated with it. In the Roman times, weddings cakes were seen as a sign of fertility, wealth and prosperity. The cake’s sweetness was often used to represent the sweet life the newly married couple would have together. In addition, the colors and decorations used to decorate the cake had different meanings. For example, the color red represented passion, white represented innocence and green symbolized fertility.
Present Day
Today, the traditional Roman wedding cake has evolved into the multi-tiered cakes that are served at wedding receptions around the world. Although the recipes and methods of preparation have changed, the same principles of fertility, wealth, and sweetness still remain. As a result, wedding cakes are still an essential part of any wedding celebration, just as they have been since ancient Roman times.
Other Uses
In addition to being a traditional food served at weddings, wedding cakes were also commonly used as part of ritualistic ceremonies. For example, in ancient Rome, brides would break the wedding cake into pieces before entering the marriage bed. This was seen as a symbolic gesture of fertility, as it represented the bride’s and groom’s potential to bear children.
Modern Interpretations
In recent years, there have been some modern interpretations of the traditional Roman wedding cake. For example, couples now have the option of having a wedding cake made of more unusual ingredients, such as fruits, nuts, and spices, in order to add a unique and creative touch to their special day. In addition, many couples opt to have a wedding cake which is designed with different layers of rich flavors to offer something a bit more exciting and luxurious.
Alternative Recipes
Roman wedding cakes were traditionally made from wheat flour, oil, honey, and dried fruit. However, in recent years, there have been some alternative recipes for this traditional cake. For example, some couples now prefer to opt for gluten-free versions of the cake, which are made from non-wheat ingredients, such as buckwheat, almond flour, or other gluten-free flours. Other couples who prefer a lighter cake may opt for a sponge cake recipe or a lighter pound cake instead.
Usage of Decorations
In addition to alternative ingredients, Roman wedding cakes may also be decorated with various different decorations. These decorations can range from edible items, such as fruits and nuts, to non-edible items, such as ribbons and flowers. Some couples even opt to have wooden or plastic figures of the bride and groom placed on top of the cake in lieu of traditional decorations. Either way, the decorations added to the cake can serve as an expression of the couple’s personality and style.
Techniques of Slicing
When cutting the cake at Roman weddings, the bride and groom typically shared a piece of the cake together to symbolize their love for one another. Today, cake-slicing techniques vary from one couple to the next. Some couples opt for the traditional method of cutting the cake together, while others prefer to have the cake cut by a professional baker or wedding cake expert. In either case, the cake is typically cut into neat slices which are distributed to the guests.
