The History of Waffles | Food: Now and Then | NowThis

People in colonial America used to throw waffle parties. Waffles have long been a staple of American breakfast. They're also one of the oldest desserts in history. Waffles can be traced back all the way to ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks used to cook these flat cakes called oblias between two hot metal plates, the very first waffle iron. Though these cakes were savory, flavored with cheese and herbs instead of the sweet ones like we eat today. The makeshift waffle iron carried over to medieval Europe, where the Catholic church used to make these huge unleavened wafer to accompany the communion wafer. These wafers were made with grain, flour, and water and had biblical scenes, crosses, and other religious icons on them. Once the church gave permission for everyone to make these wafers, more designs popped up like family crests, landscapes, and other artistic patterns. The possibilities were endless. Cream, honey, and butter eventually were added to the batter mix as well. Soon, around the 15th century, the Dutch began using rectangular plates instead of the circular ones and forged them into a grid pattern that we use today. No one's really sure why the plates were forged in a grid pattern. Some say it's a way for artisans to use less batter over a greater surface. We say it looks way cooler and it's perfect for maximum syrup absorption. The Dutch pilgrims brought their waffle recipes and iron on the Mayflower and introduced waffles to America, where they got a slight makeover, starting with the introduction of maple syrup. The syrup was cheaper and more readily available than granulated sugar, which had to be imported. Thomas Jefferson might be partly responsible for the popularization of waffles too. Thank you, Mr. President. He learned about waffles in Paris and was understandably obsessed. He brought back four waffle irons that he bought in Amsterdam. He possibly started a trend of waffle frolics or waffle parties during this time too. These are parties thrown just for waffles. Guests can enjoy a waffle sweet with maple syrup or molasses or savory topped with kidney stew. Can we make waffle frolics a thing again? Waffles shot to further popularity in the late 1800s to mid-1900s when the stovetop waffle iron was patented. Cornelius Warwick from Troy, New York, was the first guy who patented waffle irons similar to the modern waffle maker. A couple years later, a company called Pearl Milling Company sold the first commercial pancake and waffle mix called Aunt Jemima, unfortunately named after a minstrel show character, but it actually is still around today. And after the electric waffle iron was invented, waffles became a staple in the modern American kitchen. And if you thought it couldn't get better than homemade waffles every day, some genius went ahead and invented frozen waffles. In 1953, brothers Tony, Sam, and Frank Dorsa invented the frozen waffle called Fraffles, though they called it Eggos instead of Fraffles because of its eggy taste. We could have lived with calling them Fraffles, but Eggos is fine too. These days, 40% of American households eat Eggo waffles. When the Brussels waffle was introduced in 1964 at the New York's World's Fair, it became a huge hit, though eventually the Brussels waffle had to undergo a name change to Belgian waffles because many people didn't know where Brussels was. Today's American waffle looks a lot different from its European counterpart. We love to load up with syrup and butter or eat them savory with chicken and gravy. However, whenever or wherever you eat them, you can never go wrong with a waffle.