It has a derivative in the verb inzuppare, which means 'to dunk'; as the sponge cake or ladyfingers are dipped in liqueur, the dish is called zuppa.

Inspired by English puddings that were fashionable at the time, ...[3]This rich dessert was among the many tributes bestowed on Lord Nelson by the grateful Neapolitans after his victory over Napoleon in the Nile in 1798.

According to this story, they asked their cooks to recreate the sumptuous "English trifle" they had enjoyed in England at the Elizabethan court, where they were frequent visitors.

[6][7] To make zuppa inglese, either sponge cake or ladyfingers are dipped in alchermes, a bright red, extremely aromatic Italian herb liqueur.

They are then alternated with layers of crema pasticciera, a thick egg custard cooked with a large piece of lemon zest (removed afterwards).