Red Velvet

What is red velvet? How has this taster's choice gained it's popularity over the years? If anything, it seems to be the flavour of the year.  I've never tried so many concoctions of this unique savoury taste, and yet many still do not know how to describe it.  It's just become a cooking wonder.  Gone are the days when chocolate and vanilla were the most popular choice for our ice creams and cakes.  We've gotten bored and these days our interests have become more diverse that it's now instinctive to know how Oreo and Reese's pieces taste like.

According to the New York Times 2007 article "So Naughty, So Nice,"  red velvet is described as the flavour of a cake that's with a very pronounced dark red colour.  Cream cheese icing is commonly paired with this dessert which adds to the sweet-and-sour kick that's gathered in one bite.  Ingredients also includes buttermilk, butter, flour, cocoa and the surprising touch of beetroot.  The history of red velvet dates back to the 1940s and 1950s when boiled grated beets served to retain moisture in such dessert recipes.  The resurgence of this popular flavour can be attributed to the most-watched reality tv shows of Cake Boss, DC cupcakes, Martha Stuart and many more.  Here's a list of what I've seen or tried in which red velvet has come in its many forms:

Red Velvet Cupcakes -Paris Hotel, Vegas; Cheesecake Factory

Red Velvet Sugar-free Cupcakes- Paris Hotel, Vegas

Red Velvet cookies - Coffee Time

Red Velvet Latte -Teaopia

Red Velvet Brownies - Walmart

Red Velvet Donut- Krispy Kream

Red Velvet woopie pie - Starbucks

Red Velvet Cheese Cake- Cheese cake factory; La Castille

Red Velvet Ice Cream - Marble Slab

Red Velvet Ice Cream - President's Choice