The history of waffles From ancient Rome to New York, America

Waffle, a popular food today, is known as one of the oldest desserts in the world. In fact, this delicious dish has deep historical roots dating back to ancient times. Its early origins may be traced back to ancient Roman biscuits called “crustula”, which were used especially in religious rituals and also as rewards for top students. These flat biscuits, which were prepared with basic ingredients similar to modern waffles, made their way to other parts of Europe and finally to the American continent through trade routes and cultural migrations.

Today’s waffles are made from fermented dough baked between two mesh plates. This dessert is often served with honey, cream, juice or jam for breakfast or a snack. Waffles are very popular in northwestern European countries, as well as America and Asia; Desserts that can be crunchy, sweet or salty with deep or shallow grooves. You can find the most variety of waffles in Belgium; Where it is known as “gaufres”.

Waffles, now known around the world, are important not only as a delicious snack, but also as part of the cultural history of regions around the world. The evolution of this delicious food shows how an ancient tradition can still have a special place in different cultures.

Learn more about the history of the formation and development of waffles:

The origin of waffle; Christola

According to experts, the origin of today’s waffles goes back thousands of years, and it is possible that they originated from the favorite dessert of the ancient Romans, known as Crestola; A food that was actually a kind of sweet and crispy biscuit.

“Giorgio Franchetti”, the author of the book “Dining With The Ancient Romans” (Dining With The Ancient Romans) and researcher of ancient foods also believes that these old biscuits are probably the inspiration for today’s waffles. According to him, the word “crustulum” in Latin means crispy biscuits with a fragile shell that melts easily in the mouth.

_{Roman Crestula; Photo source: CNN; Name of the photographer: unknown}

Currently, there is no accurate historical evidence about the formation of “Crestola”; But “Franchetti” believes that these biscuits were probably flat and shallow biscuits that were prepared with the same ingredients as modern waffles and baked between two hot irons. Although it is not clear whether “crestola” had the special grooves of today’s waffles or not; But it seems that their cooking method was very similar to today’s waffle cooking method.

According to the research done by Franchetti, it seems that the crustola is a sweet evolution of the panis obelius, a special bread with olives or fresh figs; This bread was prepared by the ancient Greeks and baked between two irons, and then it was consumed in a special ceremony called “Dionysus”.

Franchetti says:

Crestulas were very simple biscuits made from flour, honey and animal fat. Today, waffles are made with butter; But in the writings of “Pliny the Elder”, the Roman philosopher, it is stated that the use of butter distinguished the proud nobility from the lower class.

_{Old painting of waffle history; Image source: cassidycash; Artist Name: Unknown}

After discovering and examining writings about Crestola from Pliny the Great and the Roman lyric poet Horace, Franchetti began his collaboration with the famous archaeologist and chef Cristina Conte to Revive this ancient food. The Romans were very fond of cheese; But they did not like butter and considered it an undesirable by-product of milk, which was mostly used for cosmetics. Instead of butter, they made their crustolas with animal fat, or in other words, “tail”.

It is believed that these biscuits were originally used in Roman religious ceremonies and were sold by itinerant sellers called “crustulari”; They were present in the streets of ancient Rome and usually near temples and religious places.

Franchetti explains that these popular sweets later became a kind of reward that teachers working in the homes of the rich gave to their best students.

_{Photo source: Marcellinaincucina; Name of the photographer: unknown}

communication loop; Fratla

Italian waffle biscuits called “Ferratella” or “Ferratelle” which are made with an iron press, are considered as a link between “crestola” and “waffles”.

The Roman poet, “Horace”, wrote in his satirical poems that often teachers gave children “Crestula” to encourage them to learn the alphabet. Over time, these simple and tasty biscuits gained an important place in the banquet and were served as dessert at the end of the meal. These sweets were so popular with Roman writers that some of them even mentioned the name “Crestola” in their works.

_{The simple and iron device of the Italian Fratella; Photo source: CNN; Photographer name: Guido Paradisi}

The satirist Gaius Lucilius, known as the inventor of Roman humor, wrote somewhere:

In his privacy, he enjoys overeating crustola.

Other writers such as the playwright Plautus and the philosophers Seneca and Lucius Apuleius have also mentioned this popular sweet in their writings.

According to Franchetti, after the advent of Christianity, “Crestola” made its way to Christian recipes; But how this food became today’s waffle is questionable.

According to Franchetti, the crustola baking technique was probably improved during the Middle Ages, and it is believed that during this period, the first grooves were created on the biscuits, making them closer to today’s waffles. “Fratella” (biscuit that is still popular in different regions of Italy) also became an important link between Roman crustolas and today’s waffles.

_{Italian iron mold; Photo source: youtube; Name of the photographer: unknown}

Franchetti says:

In Molise and Abruzzo, people grow up eating Fratella; A food that is consumed all year round and comes in different shapes and sizes.

The name “fratella” or “fratella” is derived from “ferri” (ferri) which means iron in the Italian language and refers to the metal mold that is still used in some places to prepare this biscuit.

_{old waffle irons; Photo source: smithsonianmag; Name of the photographer: unknown}

Franchetti explains:

Fratella, also known as pizzelle in Italy, is characterized by small squares, like a waffle surface, and its recipe and ingredients are most likely the same as those previously used for cristola. was placed

Fratella was always prepared at home in the past and was especially popular during Christmas celebrations and festivals. Also, families used special molds to mark “fratella” on which the family crest or initials of their name were engraved.

The pastry lady known as “Maria Teresa Spagnoli” also believes:

The Romans bequeathed us these delicious biscuits and we have enjoyed eating them since ancient times. Today, we eat these biscuits for breakfast, dessert after dinner or on road trips.

_{Italian extraterrestrial; Photo source: CNN; Photographer’s name: Anna Fedorova}

It is said that in the 1700s, parents used to give “fratale” molds with their family crest to girls who were on the verge of marriage as dowries.

Abruzzo Fratelli, with ingredients such as eggs, olive oil, milk, vanilla and grated lemon peel, is still prepared in special molds and sold in various sizes and shapes, such as diamonds, stars and hearts.

_{Photo source: allrecipes, journeyjunket, pinterest, bydash; Name of the photographer: unknown}

From Italy to America; The birth of waffles

“Dolci Aveja”, which is a prestigious pastry shop and the top producer of “fratale” in the city of “L’Aquila” in Italy, in addition to the original recipe, there are varieties of these pastries with grains and a salty version with rosemary. prepares it, which is served alongside a drink and as an appetizer. The preparation of “Fratale” is still considered a great ritual for its producers, and according to traditions, the “Lord’s Prayer” must be recited while cooking.

The people of the city of Abruzzo in Italy also use electric molds to speed up cooking. so that there is no need to rotate the “Fratale”; Because it is cooked from both sides at the same time. This sweet is made in the coastal area of ​​Vasto in Abruzzo, covered with dark chocolate and called Catarrette.

_{Italian extraterrestrial; Photo source: abruzzonatural; Name of the photographer: unknown}

The locals of Abruzzo are very proud of the old molds engraved with their family marks; Because they have inherited from their ancestors. A historian named “Gianfranco Bonacci” from the same area, remembers that his grandmother used to cook “Fratale” on Sundays or special occasions and the family would enjoy it during the week. Bonacci further explains:

This sweet was a kind of daily pleasure. Unfortunately, our family has lost the old iron molds and nowadays, it is hard to find a blacksmith to make these molds; Because there are very few blacksmiths left.

_{Photo source: designeatrepeat; Name of the photographer: unknown}

“Fratale” is known by different names in other regions of Italy, such as “Latium”. On the other hand, waffle-like cookies are found in Liguria and Piedmont, called gofri, with a honeycomb design reminiscent of Belgian gofri. Now, the question is how and when did these “Italian waffles” reach Northern Europe and America?

According to Franchetti, along with the culture, the Romans also spread their cuisine throughout the empire; So “Crestola” reached other regions such as France, England and “Benelux” or in other words, countries such as Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. With the fall of the Roman Empire, “Crestola” became one of the local dishes of these regions.

_{Photo source: practicalselfreliance; Name of the photographer: unknown}

In the Middle Ages and through European trade routes, Italian Fratella was also exported to Northern Europe. Finally, in the early 1600s, Dutch immigrants who arrived in New York brought this sweet with them to America; It was at this time that the Crestola-Fratella evolved into a waffle and remained in America.

Today, waffles can be found in many parts of the world. August 24 is National Waffle Day in America; The anniversary is the day that the Dutch-American Cornelius Swarthout, the inventor of the first waffle machine, received a patent for the waffle mold in America.

_{Photo source: pinterest, amazon, eatsmarter, epicurious; Name of the photographer: unknown}

What do you know about the history of waffles? Is the origin of today’s foods interesting and interesting for you? Please share your valuable opinion with Kajaro and its companions.

_{Cover photo source: splenda; Name of the photographer: unknown}