Waffle Of My Eye: Here’s How Waffles Came Into Existence

Maybe with a drizzle of caramel syrup or a scoop of ice cream, waffles manage to win the hearts of waffle lovers in any form. Mention “waffles” in front of waffle lovers and watch them drool over it immeasurably. There is something about the aroma of fresh waffles, the creamy and fruity toppings with the drizzle of the desired sauces that make waffle lover’s tummies rumble. One of the trendy foods in the last decade, waffles have become a favourite dessert. But very few people know that these delicious chronicles have been existing for centuries. Want to know how? Scroll down!

Food historians have it that waffles trace their roots to ancient Greece where cooks roasted flat cakes, pressed between metal plates. To prevent their hands from burning, they attached these metal plates to long wooden sticks and roasted them over an open fire. The Greek chefs called these cakes “Obelios” which had a bland taste. The present waffles with the honeycomb pattern came into existence in the 15th century when Dutch people began forging rectangular iron plates with grid patterns to cook less batter over a large surface area. In the early 17th century, some Dutch pilgrims brought waffles with them to America. Americans then began adding ingredients like spices, cream, honey, and butter to the regular flour and water waffles of the Dutch to revamp the flavour and texture of waffles. 

Are you aware of the ‘National Waffle Day’ which is celebrated on 24th August every year? It is celebrated to commemorate the patent received by a Dutch-American- Cornelius Swarthout on the same day in the year 1869. 

The present-day waffles unlike the first waffles come with a variety of flavours, toppings, and sauces on the side. Are you also a waffle lover and craving some right now? Here’s the recipe for you.