With 12.5 million Instagram tags and featuring on virtually every restaurant menu, cheesecake has become a global favourite when it comes to desserts. Whilst many of us don't need an excuse to celebrate the glorious creation, for those that do, this week (July 30) marks the annual tradition that is National Cheesecake Day.

Rumoured to have originated back in ancient Greece and to have even been served to athletes at the Olympic Games in 776BC, cheesecake comes in many shapes and sizes.  In fact, many countries and cities have laid claim to specific variations of this popular dessert. An American-style Cheesecake, which is baked in the oven before being placed in the fridge to cool, was developed way back in the 1870's but didn't come become popular until it was renamed as the New York Cheesecake in the 20th Century. Sweden, Spain (Basque), Germany and Japan all have different styles, some of these are more appealing than others – Germany uses Cottage cheese rather than cream cheese!

Interestingly, whilst it is called a cake, most types of cheesecake that we know today are in no-way a cake, and more of a custard pie, especially those found in America.  Whilst no-one can claim that the cheesecake is a totally healthy option, it isn't all bad either, with high quantities of protein and vitamin A coming from the cheese.

Worldwide, the most popular flavours of cheesecake tend to be vanilla and strawberry, but if you ask the cheesecake experts in the UK, The English Cheesecake Company, the result is somewhat different:

“The British appetite for cheesecake continues to grow and whilst across Europe their choices are more mainstream, we tend to a be a little more adventurous within the UK. Honeycomb, Salted Caramel, Cookies and Cream, and Lotus Biscoff are very much top of the tree when it comes to our favourite flavours, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to cheesecake. Consumers are excited to try new flavour combinations that deliver 100% indulgence!”

Other Cheesecake Facts:

Russia holds the World Record for the Biggest Cheesecake which weighed in at 4.240kg, was virtually a metre tall and had a diameter of 3 Metres.

The most expensive cheesecake was sold for $5000 at Manhattan's Rafele Restaurant

Cheesecakes are often the celebration cake of choice at Greek Weddings

If all this has led you to drooling at mouth for your cheesecake fix then masters of cheesecake, the English Cheesecake company, is offering 20% off their entire site for National Cheesecake Day. From Lotus Biscoff, through to Caramel Profiterole and Red Velvet, English Cheesecake truly raise the bar when it comes to irresistible cheesecake creations and lead the way in trend-setting innovation for the dessert world. You can also find English Cheesecake's best-selling flavours in Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Co-op and Booths nationwide.

 For more information on the English Cheesecake Company, please visit www.englishcheesecake.com Email: hello@englishcheesecake.com or search 'englishceesecakeco' on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

-Ends-

Notes to Editor:

For further information or photography, please contact the English Cheesecake Company press office on 01672 564099 or faith@rawlingsonlane.co.uk / kevin@rawlingsonlane.co.uk 

About The English Cheesecake Company:

The English Cheesecake Company was founded by two dessert freaks and friends, Philip & Alan, who joined forces over their love for all things cheesecake. They set out on a mission to create irresistible quality cheesecakes using a family recipe and a whole load of tasty toppings. Over 25 years later, The English Cheesecake Company has a highly skilled team who produce a range of wholesale cakes, cheesecakes and desserts for the foodservice market. In addition, the company's retail presence continues to grow with a luxury cheesecake range now available in supermarkets nationwide.