What exactly is Tiramisu?

What exactly is Tiramisu?
by Tony van Roon

"Tiramisu is an exquisite, rich but heavenly Italian dessert which leaves a lifelong imprint on your tong's tastebuds!"
Tirami-su in Italian means "Pick me up". It's American popularity began in San Francisco and can now be found in restaurants and homes all over the world. Tiramisu is also known as "Tuscan Trifle" because it was initially founded in Siena, NW Italian province of Tuscany. The concoction ('zuppa del duca') was first created for a visiting Grand Duke Cosimo de'Medici III.

The original recipe was created with custard and Mascarpone was substituted later. The basic ingredients are mascarpone, ladyfingers (or savoiardi), whipped cream, espresso, any kind of liqueur (like brandy, TiaMaria, Marsala, etc.), white sugar, shaved semisweet chocolate or cocoa powder. My personal preference is a 2/3 Marsala & 1/3 Crème de Cacao combination but any kind of liquor will do a good job. The Ladyfingers are called in Italian 'Savoiardi' and can be substituted by strips of slightly oven-dried pound cake.

How does Tiramisu taste like? Well, that is almost impossible to describe. It's kindah like a very fluffy, light, moca flavoured cream cheese mousse with a nip of espresso & liqueur and an afterbite of chocolate. I fail every time trying to explain, but when I make it and let people taste they faint of heavenly ecstasy!