Hummingbird cake is a sweet and moist banana-pineapple spice cake that gets its name from its rich, sweet flavor that supposedly attracts hummingbirds. The cake was originally created in Jamaica in the 1960s and became popular in the Southern United States in the late 1970s. But why is this tasty cake named after a bird? Let’s take a closer look at the history and origins of hummingbird cake to understand where the name comes from.
The Origins of Hummingbird Cake
While the exact origins of hummingbird cake are unclear, most food historians agree that the cake was first created in Jamaica in the 1960s. Jamaica has over 20 native species of hummingbirds, so it is very likely that the cake was named after these tiny, winged creatures that are attracted to sweet nectar.
The tropical island nation was known for growing bananas, pineapples, and nuts – key ingredients found in hummingbird cake. The cake has flavors similar to banana bread but with the addition of crushed pineapple and nuts. This tropical tasting cake was moist and sweet enough to attract hummingbirds, leading to its name.
By the 1970s, American travelers to Jamaica brought recipes for the cake back to the Southern United States. The cake became especially popular in the South which also has a warm climate ideal for hummingbirds. Soon, hummingbird cake recipes were spreading rapidly across the region in community cookbooks and newspapers. By the late 70s, hummingbird cake had become a Southern classic.
The Characteristics of Hummingbird Cake
What makes hummingbird cake so perfectly suited for its name? Here are some of the key characteristics of hummingbird cake that connect it to hummingbirds:
- Very sweet flavor – Hummingbirds are attracted to sugary nectar from flowers and sweet syrups at feeders. The cake is made with a lot of sugar to give it a very sweet taste.
- Bananas and pineapple – Hummingbirds are tropical birds that live in places where bananas and pineapples grow. These fruits give the cake a tropical flavor.
- Moist and tender crumb – Hummingbirds have tiny beaks perfect for lapping up liquid nectar. The cake has a soft, moist crumb that resembles this.
- Nutty crunch – Some hummingbird cake recipes include nuts for a crunchy texture. This mimics the crunch hummingbirds get from insects.
- Spices – Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice add warmth. Hummingbirds are found in warm climates.
- Nectar-like syrup – The cream cheese frosting piped over the cake is like the nectar hummingbirds drink from flowers.
All these characteristics create a cake with the sweet, tropical flavors and moist texture that reminds people of the magic of hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds Love Sweets!
There’s no doubt that hummingbirds are attracted to anything very sweet tasting. In the wild, hummingbirds sip on the nectar from bright, tropical flowers as their main food source. They especially love flowers with red blooms that contain more sugar.
At backyard feeders, hummingbirds eagerly flock to drink from bottles filled with sucrose sugar water. The sweet liquid provides the birds with the energy they need to rapidly flap their wings up to 70 times per second!
So a cake filled with bananas, pineapple, sugar, and syrup mirrors the types of sweet treats that appeal most to hummingbirds in nature. No wonder they say you can attract a hummingbird by simply putting out a slice of this cake!
The Cake’s Tropical Origins
Hummingbirds are found exclusively in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. Jamaica, where hummingbird cake originated, is home to over 20 different hummingbird species including the Red-billed Streamertail, the Jamaican Mango, and the Vervain Hummingbird.
Since hummingbird cake contains tropical fruits like crushed pineapple, bananas, and coconut, it naturally has a tropical flavor. Eating a slice may remind you of the lush, sweet taste of the tropics where hummingbirds thrive. The name of the cake aligns with these tropical origins.
Hummingbirds Love Sweet Nectar
In nature, hummingbirds are attracted to the sweet nectar inside bright, tubular flowers. Their specialized beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted to slurping up sugary nectar. Flowers actually co-evolved with hummingbirds and began producing more nectar to specifically attract the birds for pollination.
The sweet cream cheese frosting on hummingbird cake resembles flower nectar. Hummingbirds would certainly flock to lick the sugary, thick frosting. By mimicking the birds’ natural food source, the cake delivers flavors a hummingbird’s palette would appreciate.
The Cake’s Soft, Tender Crumb
A defining feature of hummingbird cake is its exceptionally moist and tender crumb. This comes from over-ripening the bananas used in the batter and loading the cake with tropical fruit juices.
The soft and spongy texture is perfect for hummingbirds who have tiny beaks and long, specialized tongues. In the wild they use their slender beaks to lap up liquid nectar and soft pulp from fruits. The cake’s moist crumb allows for easy eating – just what a hummingbird wants!
It Has Nutrients Hummingbirds Need
Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and need to constantly refuel. They get their key nutrients from flower nectar, tree sap, and small insects which provide protein, fat, and essential minerals.
Interestingly, hummingbird cake contains many of the nutrients wild hummingbirds source naturally from their diets. It has carbohydrates from the sugar, bananas, and pineapple for energy. The eggs and nuts provide protein and healthy fats. Spices like cinnamon have antioxidants.
The variety of ingredients in hummingbird cake deliver a balanced nutritional profile perfect for a hungry hummingbird!
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbird cake gets its name from its ultra sweet flavor, moist and tender texture, tropical fruit flavors, and nectar-like frosting. All of these qualities mimic the foods hummingbirds are naturally attracted to in the wild. The cake has an appearance, aroma, flavor, and nutrition profile that hummingbirds literally flock to.
While you won’t see hummingbirds hovering around your kitchen, this iconic Southern cake will transport your senses to the lush tropics where these tiny, winged creatures thrive. The name reminds us of the joy that hummingbirds bring and their amazing ability to rapidly fly and pollinate beautiful flowers.
So next time you enjoy a slice of hummingbird cake, you’ll know exactly why it earned its whimsical name!
