Torte or cake, now that’s a question any foodie would ask? Food experts do know how the two differ, and for those who don’t, the differences between a cake and torte are slim.
The word torte is derived from the Italian word torta, which means a round cake or bread. It also means cake in German.
At the first glance, both a cake as well as torte may look no more than two cakes. But it is when you sink the fork in and take your bite that you realize there exist differences between the two.
One is light, while the other heavy; one is made of flour and a range of icing flavors, while the other has a rich and intense taste and flavors, with a little kick to it. Both play a game of tug-of-war on your pallet and mind, the taste vexing your mind and begging for more.
A cake mostly consists of all-purpose or self-raising flour, butter, caster sugar, eggs (opt), baking powder, flavors and essence, nuts and raisins (opt). Icing is also optional.
A torte is made of eggs, little or no flour, groundnut mixture, and sometimes bread crumbs to enhance the texture. It is stuffed with mousses, whipped cream, jams, and/or fruits. However, an Empire Torte is made with neither nuts nor flour. It is made with just chocolate, eggs, flavoring, oil, and sugar.
The cake’s ingredients help it to rise while baking, the height almost standing around 4 inches tall. And if you choose to make it a multiple layer cake, then the cake gets taller.
Tortes are mostly shorter. They can average 2 – 4 inches in height, even with layers.
A cake is lighter than the torte. This is because the gluten content in the cake flour makes it lighter.
Groundnut meal, almond meals, or bread crumbs add on to the density of the torte, making it heavier than the ordinary flour cakes.
Due to the gluten present in the flour, the texture of the cake is very soft and smooth.
Tortes are heavier in both texture and taste. Most of them are often soaked in a liqueur or syrup before its decoration, which gives it a moist texture.
Cakes can be decorated with an array of icings, viz., buttercream, frosting, royal icing, fondant, marzipan, glace icing, modeling paste, pastillage, poured fondant, ganache, etc., in various shapes, sizes and color. Designs and figures are made from marzipan, molding chocolate, fondant, and sugar art, while edible gold and sliver power and paint are used for further decoration. Let’s not forget to mention fruits, chocolate, nuts, and edible paint, which further enhance the beauty of the cake.
Tortes, are mostly found in a round shape, and are designed more elegantly and elaborately. They are topped with cream, frosting, glaze, fruits, and nuts. However, nowadays, tortes too are decorated quite lavishly, but just not as elaborately as cakes.
Be it cake or torte, a sweet delectable delight melting away on your tongue is all the difference you need after a long day’s work.
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