July 30 serves up a slice of one of America’s most beloved desserts — and cheesecake’s story runs surprisingly deep. It reaches all the way back to ancient Greece, where a version was served to athletes, and the earliest known mention comes from the Greek physician Aegimus, who literally wrote the book on the art of making cheesecakes.

Every corner of the world has its own spin. Italians reach for ricotta, Greeks for mizithra or feta, Germans for cottage cheese, and the Japanese for a cloud-light blend of cornstarch and egg whites — while cream cheese remains the classic American touch. There are even adventurous versions made with blue cheese, seafood, chilies, or tofu. But whatever the twist, the heart of it never changes: cheese, wheat, and a little sweetness. Best of all, it’s served chilled, which makes it the perfect refreshing treat for a warm summer day.

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