Got a sweet tooth? Then today is your day, today is National Dessert Day.

Dessert, if for some odd reason you don’t already know, is a course that typically comes at the end of a meal,usually consisting of sweet food but sometimes of strongly-flavored food, such as cheese. The world comes from the Old French desseruir, meaning “to clear the table.” Common desserts include cakes, cookies, and fruits.

And while the custom of eating fruits and nuts after a meal may be very old, actual dessert as a standard part of a Western meal is a relatively recent development. Before the rise of the middle class in the 19th-century, and the mechanization of the sugar industry, sweets were considered a privilege of the aristocracy, or a rare holiday treat. As sugar became cheaper and more readily available, the development and popularity of desserts spread accordingly.

It’s easy to celebrate National Dessert Day (as long as you don’t think about the calories, fat, etc.), all you have to do is eat dessert. You can make your own desserts, buy them at the store, or hit up your favorite restaurant and enjoy a sweet treat.

Here’s to hoping your day is filled with yummy goodness all day long!

Image from www.fridays.com.