Keto hazelnut cake – Let’s call it Foudoukopita

Keto hazelnut cake should be called Foudoukopita! Of course, if we follow the Greek tradition of naming the cake after the dominant ingredient. In fact, we already covered Karidopita (karidi / καρύδι /walnut) and many of you succeeded in preparing it. Naturally, one would think that the Greek word for hazelnuts (Foudouki) would produce Foudoukopita. Well, You will be surprised – almost nowhere in Greece it is called like that. If you perform an internet search, you will end up with almost no results. However, our ketonisation and modernisation of hazelnut cake will bring this name back!

Keto Hazelnut cake idea

We the Ketonians like to invent new things! Especially Keto Mediterraneans. In fact, we can take the basic idea and get inspired by ancient wisdom! Furthermore, we can work on it and develop something totally new and delicious. For us, the taste is not the only parameter! We have to have it as 100% nutritious dessert. Specifically, we will make it low in carbs, high in good fats. Furthermore, any Keto dessert, as we already wrote, does not only have the purpose of replacing the sugary sweets. It’s a whole process of experimentation and anticipation! Nevertheless, the reward for creating something outstandingly Keto-friendly is indescribable. This is why we love to share the excitement of successful Ketonisations.

A Treat Of The East

Interestingly, the hazel tree has its origins in the territory today’s Turkey. Likely, It was brought to Spain by the ancient Greeks, who founded several colonies on the Spanish mainland throughout the Classical era. The Greeks found hazelnuts when they colonized the lands east from today’s Greece. Apparently, they instantly fell in love with the outstanding flavour. The rest is history!

Prehistoric Humans Worshiped Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts have been utilised by humans ever since the prehistoric era. In fact, Archaeologists have found large quantities of hazelnut shells in Mesolithic and Neolithic sites in what is now Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. Evidence of the hazelnut cultivation has been found in 5000-year-old archaeological sites in China. An antique document noted hazelnuts as one of China’s five holy foods.

Prehistoric adoration

Hazelnuts were a great portion of the prehistoric equestrian and gatherer’s nutrition. These nuts apparently provided them with the adequate nourishment to maintain their health between the hunting seasons. I assume that earlier proto-cake was baked with ground hazelnuts and without any cereals. That would be the early version of Keto hazelnut cake.

Mystical Vigors and Healing Properties

Throughout history, it was believed that hazel trees and the nuts held mysterious energies and healing qualities. Well, maybe this Keto hazelnut cake could be considered as such! Ancients Romans would burn hazel torches at wedding ceremonies as a symbol of virility and marriage happiness. Hazelnuts were applied as remedies for different diseases. Greek physicians would advocate the usage of crushed hazelnuts to cure the common cold and respiratory issues.

In the ever-inspiring Greek mythology, Hermes, the son of Zeus, received a winged wand made of hazel wood. This magic wand would help the wielder express their ideas and create words. The hazel wand weaved with two snakes became a symbol of communication and medicine!