Sales of small cakes have overtaken (超过) big ones for the first time, according to researchers at Mintel — but is the cupcake bubble starting to burst? Size, they say, matters. And when it comes to cakes, we Brits have for years desired for the biggest, richest, gooiest creations we could lay our sticky fingers on. Towering chocolate gateaux dominate bakery windows.
But thanks to the latest baking phenomenon, big is no longer best. Figures released today show that, for the first time, sales of small cakes have overtaken those of large cakes, with bite-sized baked goods growing in popularity by 19 per cent since 2011. According to researchers at Mintel, our taste for large cakes has declined, with sales dropping 3 per cent in two years.
So what’s behind our passion for miniatures — and is it the end of the traditional, full-sized sponge? It all started with the cupcake. When the Magnolia Bakery opened in New York in 1996, the nice iced sponges were seen as treats for children’s parties. Then, in 2000, Carrie Bradshaw, star of the city, ate a pink cupcake on TV — and everything changed. In the months and years that followed, demand for the tiny cakes exploded — and in 2005, Sprinkles, the world’s first cupcakes — only bakery, opened in Beverly Hills. The trend soon spread worldwide.
“Cupcakes became so popular because people wanted an individual treat,” explains Edd Ainbet, former winner of the BBC series The Great British Bake Off. “It’s a little something naughty — a small price for a small mouthful. And it’s a mini hobby just for you; not like cutting a slice out of a big cake that you share. They’re cute and playful, like tiny pieces of art.”
8. What can we infer from Paragraph 2?
A.Small cakes are always the best. |
B.Brits prefer small cakes to big ones today. |
C.The sales of small cakes dropped 3 per cent. |
D.Big cakes have always enjoyed larger market share than small ones. |
9. What does the underlined word “
miniatures” refer to?
A.Tiny cakes. | B.Full-sized sponge. | C.Large cakes. | D.Birthday cakes. |
10. What can we learn about Bradshaw ?
A.He ordered a pink cupcake. |
B.He opened Sprinkles in Beverly Hills. |
C.He made a successful ad for cupcakes. |
D.He played a great role in making cupcakes. |
11. What is Edd Ainbet’s attitude towards cupcakes?
A.Critical. | B.Disapproving. | C.Doubtful. | D.Favorable. |