The history of desserts is more than just a mere recounting of the first ice cream cone or the first time meringue was served. Sweets date back to ancient civilizations where people enjoyed fruits and nuts candied with honey. However, desserts that are commonly known today became popular through an evolution of technology and culinary experimentation. The English word “dessert” emerged in the seventeenth century, derived from the French verb “desservir.” But the concept has changed a lot since then. For many people, it's not a real dinner if there's no dessert. That tradition, of finishing a meal with a little something sweet, has its origins in France.
