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Heavy cake
Alternative namesHevva cake
TypeCake
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Region or stateCornwall
Main ingredientsFlour, lard, butter, milk, sugar, raisins

Heavy cake or Hevva cake (Cornish: Hevva) is a cake made from flour, lard, butter, milk, sugar and raisins that originated in Cornwall.

Its name is derived from the pilchard industry in Cornwall prior to the 20th century when a 'huer' (cliff top lookout) helped locate shoals of fish. The huer would shout 'Hevva!, Hevva!' to alert the boats to the location of the pilchard shoals.[1] Cornish tradition states that Hevva cake was baked by the huers on their return to their homes, the cake being ready by the time the crews returned to land.[citation needed] Alternatively, it is known as heavy cake as it is not "light", not risen in the same way as yeast cake or a seedy bun.

The cakes are about 1/2" thick, with a criss-cross pattern scored across the top, representing the fishing nets.[2][3][4][5]

References

  1. ^ Robert Morton Nance (1963). Pool, P.A.S. (ed.). A Glossary of Cornish Sea Words. The Federation of Old Cornwall Societies. p. 92.
  2. ^ "Seven Traditional Foods of Cornwall - Cornish Cuisine Guide". Anglotopia.net. 5 December 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Pin by UK Beach Days on Fishing History and Heritage UK". Pinterest. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  4. ^ "'Feasts and Festivals': 8 May: Helston Flora Day". Feastsandfestivals.blogspot.com. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  5. ^ "Cornish Pasty Facts". Cornwalldirect.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2021.

See also


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