Have you ever wondered, while enjoying the juicy bites of your favorite waffles, where are the origins of this delicious food? We think that you will be surprised when we tell you a story about the time of their beginnings, and also that you will love them even more because of that. The history of waffles is somewhat mysterious.
Yet we can claim that waffles are considered one of the oldest desserts in history. The history and origin of waffles can be traced back to ancient Greece. But the history of their origin goes even further into history, in the Neolithic, or Stone Age over four thousand years ago.
These first waffles surely lacked tastes like an indented grid or maple syrup, but the core of what’s now a favorite breakfast food was still there— a cereal-based batter that was cooked not baked or fried, but toasted on both sides. The waffle in Old Greece was a fundamental variant of flat cakes, which were produced by baking the cakes between two metal plates.Obelios, as these cakes were called, weren’t especially sweet, but their design developed over time as people started customizing the food.
In Medieval Europe, the Catholic Church began making waffles to serve as a sort of companion to the communion wafer symbolizing blessings. These waffles were drawn with Biblical scenes, crosses, and other religious symbols, and were served after meals as a symbolic final blessing. When Church allowed making its ownoublies(a name left over from the time of ancient Greece), increased designs incorporated family crests, landscapes, and numerous other creative decorations. And with numerous new spices that the Crusaders brought with them from their expeditions to the East, the taste itself began to change, improve, and acquire its specificity.
As they spread throughout medieval Europe, the cakes made from a mixture of flour, water or milk, and sometimes eggs, became known as wafers. Wafers were eaten by all segments of society, from peasants to kings. They were cooked over an open fire between iron plates with long handles, and over time irons became deeper, and gradually the wafer became thewafel, or thegaufre, as the French called it.
The two European countries that are perhaps most responsible for the evolution of waffles as we know them today are the Netherlands and Belgium. Dutchwafelersfirst began applying rectangular instead of circular plates. It was the forerunner of the modern waffle’s design. For the word, we know today, waffles are credited to the English who in the early 18th century added a second “f”.
Throughout Europe, nations evolved their waffle recipes and tastes. It wasn’t until waffles came to America, courtesy of the Dutch, that they were finally paired with maple syrup, a popular liquid sweetener that was cheaper and more widely available than granulated sugar, which had to be imported.
However, waffles only gained global popularity when they arrived in the States. In 1620 Dutchwaflescome to America with the Pilgrims. Thomas Jefferson is said to have brought the first long-handled waffle iron to America in 1789. About 80 years later, in 1869, a Dutch-American called Cornelius Swarthout was granted a patent for the first waffle iron in the U.S. August 24th, the day this patent was granted, today is celebrated as National Waffle Day.
This was an amazing story about the development of waffles throughout history and their arrival in the States. Today we have a huge range of waffle variations to choose from. Waffles have become part of our tradition and an integral part of the most delicious breakfast.
Chicago Waffles is with you even at the time of the pandemic. Order online and enjoy your favorite flavors.
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FAQs
The Origins of Waffles
Waffles eventually made their way to medieval Europe in the 13th century, where they became a popular treat during religious festivals. The term “waffle” itself is derived from the Dutch word “wafel,” which referred to the honeycomb pattern found on the cakes. But that was then…and this is now.
What is the cultural significance of waffles? ›
In Medieval Europe, the Catholic Church began making waffles to serve as a sort of companion to the communion wafer symbolizing blessings. These waffles were drawn with Biblical scenes, crosses, and other religious symbols, and were served after meals as a symbolic final blessing.
Who brought waffles to America? ›
Waffles were first brought to the Americas by Dutch colonists in the 1600s, however it wasn't until the late 1700s that they made their leap into popular culture.
What are some unique facts about waffles? ›
1 Waffles have been eaten since the 14th century. 2 Nike's first pair of sneakers, Waffle Trainers, were made using a real waffle iron. 3 “Waffle” descends from the Dutch word for “wafer.” 4 The world's biggest waffle was 8 feet long and weighed 110 pounds.
Why throw away first waffle? ›
The key is the first waffle is never to be eaten. First because it helps get the new smell, newly heated waffle iron out. Second, because you cooked the waffle so very long.
What came first, pancakes or waffles? ›
The Greeks called these early pancakes "tigani" which comes from a word that means frying pan. Archeologists have even found evidence that our prehistoric ancestors made pancakes 30,000 years ago. But waffles? Waffles didn't come along until just over 1,000 years ago.
Which country is most famous for waffles? ›
No country is more known for their waffles and their waffle varieties than Belgium, which has more than a dozen different varieties of waffles. Here are some of the many popular types of waffles that come from Belgium.
What does a waffle represent? ›
You might think of a waffle as a grid-patterned pancake-like food that's tasty with syrup, and you'd be right. But the word is also a verb that means to avoid making a definitive decision.
What was the first name for waffles? ›
In ancient Greece, chefs would cook flat cakes known as obelios, according to The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. These flat cakes received religious ornamentation in the Middle Ages, when chefs would use honey and cinnamon to depict Bible scenes or family crests on these proto-waffles.
Why do waffles have holes? ›
A waffle iron squeezes batter between two hot, flat pans covered with square bumps. The square bumps give the waffle little square holes, perfect for holding syrup and melted butter.
While pancakes are fluffy, soft, and airy, waffles have crispy, golden-brown edges and chewy centers. You can quickly identify a waffle by its plaid texture, the result of being cooked in a waffle iron. These square holes are quite possibly the greatest advantage that a waffle has over a pancake.
Are waffles healthier than pancakes? ›
Neither carb-tastic treat is exactly spa food (though both can be made healthier and/or made to suit special diets—by using almond flour for gluten-free versions, for instance), but if you're counting calories, waffles have about 100 more of them than pancakes, and more cholesterol too, but that's before you factor in ...
What did waffles used to be called? ›
Like many of Western civilization's finest achievements, the long and delicious history of waffles can be traced to ancient Greece, where Athenians cooked flat cakes called obelios between two metal plates. The word waffle is related to wafer, as in the Communion wafers that were a staple of early Christian fasts.
What is the most popular waffle? ›
Brussels waffles are rectangular in shape and fluffy from the inside. The deep pockets on the waffle are perfect for serving dessert, especially with cream with fruits and powdered sugar sprinkled on the top. Without any doubt, the Brussels waffles are the most liked ones that you will come across.
What do waffles symbolize? ›
In these research contexts, waffles are mentioned as a symbol of hygge, social togetherness, taking the time for others, volunteering, Norwegianness, hospitality, community, and informality. Approachable politicians have made their share of waffles.
What's the story behind Waffle House? ›
The first Waffle House opened on Labor Day weekend in 1955 at 2719 East College Avenue in Avondale Estates, Georgia. That restaurant was conceived and founded by Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner. Rogers started in the restaurant business as a short-order cook in 1947 at the Toddle House in New Haven, Connecticut.
What is the Waffle House myth? ›
It's an urban myth that Waffle Houses have no locks.
While it's true that Waffle Houses are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (even on Christmas!), it's not true that the restaurants don't have locks on the doors, according to the Waffle House website.
What is the story of everything on a waffle? ›
Polly Horvath's Everything on a Waffle tells the funny, bittersweet story of a young heroine who manages to hold onto hope despite the odds. Primrose Squarp simply knows her parents did not perish at sea during a terrible storm, but try convincing the other residents of Coal Harbour on that score.
