Do you know that March 25th is International Waffle Day? In the coming of International Waffle Day, let’s learn about waffles’ history. Hope you can have an enjoyable and tasty day with your families and friends!
The Origin of the Waffle
Hotcakes, which were cooked on heated stones and turned to heat both sides, were the earliest known form of the waffle. In the Iron Age, these cakes were occasionally cooked on both sides with heated iron plates or griddles. Numerous variations of these cakes, known as obleios (wafers) in Ancient Greece and later in the Middle Ages, were produced. The first known “waffle” recipe was made in the late 14th century, but is was a waffle in name only, as it did not include a leavening agent. In the 15th century, the first versions of what we now refer to as waffles emerged, with the food being prepared in the well-known grid pattern. The use of leavening agents followed in the following century.
There is evidence of waffles being sold on the street all the way back to 1603, but they first came to America with the Dutch immigrants settling in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the 17th century. The term “waffle” was coined in 1725, and recipes quickly spread throughout England and America. Many of these were derived from earlier Dutch, French, and Belgian recipes.
Historical Timeline
1620 – After the Pilgrims spend time in Holland before sailing to the Americas, in 1620 the Dutch bring “wafles” with them on their voyage.
1735 – The word “waffle” as we know it appears in print.
1789 – The United States welcomes Thomas Jefferson back. from France has a large number of French dishes. In addition, he returned with a waffle maker with a long handle, which encloses the batter and gives the waffle shape and crispness.
1800’s – Waffle “Frolics” or parties become the rage in the Visitors enjoy their waffles savory with kidney stew or sweet with molasses or syrup in the south. Significantly, this develops into the classic Southern dish chicken and waffles.
1869 – The first waffle iron in the US is patented by Dutch-American Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York., on National Waffle Day is celebrated on August 24th, the day of the patent’s anniversary.
1911 – For General Electric, Thomas J. Stackbeck develops the first electric waffle maker that is used in commercial settings. By the 1930s, it has become a standard in American kitchens.
1953 – Eggo frozen toaster waffles are first made available in American supermarkets by the Dorsa Brothers. Originally called “Froffles,” the name changed in 1955 because everyone referred to them as “Eggos” due to their eggy taste. Kellogg bought the brand during the 1970s.
1964 – At the New York World’s Fair in Flushing, Queens, Belgian waffles make their debut in their modern form. The Brussels waffles made by vendor Maurice Vermersch’s wife are fluffy yeast waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream. Using the name of a more well-known nation, Belgian waffles, the clever marketer changes the name. The family insisted on serving them with real forks and knives, refusing to offer them instead. Waffles are a common street food in Brussels, where they are usually eaten plain or with just a dusting of powdered sugar.
The Waffle Iron
Originally, the typical waffle iron was a cast-iron-hinged apparatus held over an open fire. August 24 is National Waffle Day because that day, 1869, saw the patenting of a waffle iron by Cornelius Swartwout of Troy, New York. It wasn’t until the 1910s that General Electric’s electric waffle iron was introduced. Waffle makers were typical kitchen appliances by the 1930s.
Waffles – from Frozen to Belgian!
The Dorsa brothers first introduced frozen waffles in 1953, and they changed their company name to Eggo in 1955. When we are pressed for time (or have children who need food NOW) and are unable to make homemade waffles, we can now choose from a wide variety of frozen waffles.
What distinguishes a Belgian waffle from a standard one? The waffle maker itself makes the biggest difference, though. Belgian waffle makers are larger and have larger squares in them giving you deeper pockets in your waffle to catch all the delicious pools of maple syrup. But, did you know Belgian waffles are not traditionally served with maple syrup? WHAT?!
- The country of Belgium, which is tucked between France, Germany, and the Netherlands, is where Belgian waffles are said to have first appeared. They produce excellent beer and fantastic chocolates, but their waffles are the item they are most famous for.
- In Belgium, this waffle is a traditional street food eaten with your hands and the waffle itself is a sweet treat.
- The 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle marked the Belgian waffle’s first American appearance, but it was the 1964–1965 World’s Fair, held in Queens, New York, that saw the Belgian waffle’s popularity soar. According to custom, they were served plain and also topped with whipped cream and sliced strawberries.
Waffle Making Tips
We can all agree that homemade waffles are the best, and there are many different ways to make them, from simpler methods like using a mix to which you only need to add water, eggs, and oil to truly homemade methods involving a thorough recipe. At Maple Valley, we’re all about the maple in everything, so we have a recipe for Maple Spice Waffles that you should check out!
Here are a few things people have learned along the way and if you pay attention, you can be a waffle making champ:
- Don’t overmix the battery, as you’ve likely heard before. Waffle batters should be lumpy when they get poured into waffle makers, never smooth. Overworking flour prevents it from performing its function. Your waffles will be tough and won’t rise as much as you need them to.
- Don’t forget to measure your flour. Even if you don’t overmix your waffles, using too much flour will result in dry, dense waffles. Not enough flour and you’ll have flimsy little waffles.
- Verify the temperature of your waffle maker. A cold waffle iron, more than anything else, ruins waffles. Your waffle will cook faster and more evenly and give you the crispy edges we all love.
International Waffle Day
Although International Waffle Day is celebrated all over the world, it is most prominently observed in Sweden, the nation where it originated and is simply known as Waffle Day. It occurs on the same day as the Feast of Annunciation, a holiday that commemorates the conception of Jesus and falls nine months before Christmas. In the Swedish language, Vårfrudagen, means “Our Lady Day,” another name for the The Annunciation Feast. It sounds similar to Våffeldagen, the Swedish word for “waffle.” The celebration of eating waffles in Sweden gave rise to the creation of International Waffle Day. Later, the day was celebrated in other nations. As if we needed an excuse, today is a day when we can all eat waffles. Wait until August 24th for National Waffle Day if you want yet another excuse to overindulge.
Final Thoughts
Nothing can be better than having warm, freshly made waffles with people you loved on International Waffle Day. If you want to know more interesting history of other food, you can check the posts below.
