Who knew that something accidental could turn into something that would help shape a generation? That’s the case in some of the foods we enjoy today. If you think you know where your food came from, we’re here to tell you that it isn’t exactly what you expected. Today, we’re bringing 10 bizarre origins behind your favorite foods that will probably shock you.
10. Fortune Cookies
If you love Fortune Cookies, you’ll probably be surprised that they’re not from China. In case you’re unfamiliar with them, they’re those crisp cookie wafers containing a mini piece of paper with a Chinese phrase. However, they were invented by Japanese immigrants in the U.S. Fortune Cookies were adopted by Chinese restaurateurs and served at their places, which was the reason behind the misconception that they came from China.
9. Lobster
Lobsters may be “cockroaches of the ocean,” but they’re ones you’ll always see in the fine dining restaurants. However, they aren’t always the luxurious seafood everyone knows them to be. During colonial America, Lobsters used to be cheap and everywhere, as they were fed to prisoners and servants as a sign of degradation. However, during the 19th century, they became marketed as luxurious food that was served at railroad dining.
8. Sandwich
We credit the sandwich’s invention to John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. During a 24-hour marathon of card games, Montagu ordered his servant to bring him roast beef placed in two pieces of bread so he could play with one hand, while using the other to eat. Other people who saw this also tried to recreate the sandwich until it became the food we know today.
7. Potato Chips
Who knew the Potato Chips we all love started out of a petty revenge? In 1853, Chef George Crum was tired of his customer who kept sending back his fries at Moon’s Lake House. The customer complained that they were too soggy and thick. With this, Crum sliced new potatoes thinly and fried them until they turned crispy. He sprinkled them with salt, accidentally inventing the Potato Chips. To say the least, his customer loved it, and the rest was history.
6. Worcestershire Sauce
British Lord Marcus Sandys wanted to recreate a sauce he had tasted in Bengal, India. With this, he hired John Lea and William Perrins to make it, but their first attempt failed. They stored the barrels in their cellar and eventually forgot about them. After two years had passed, the pair rediscovered the barrels and found that they had transformed into the Worcestershire Sauce that we season our meals with.
5. Croissant
Contrary to popular belief, Croissants didn’t originate from France. The earliest record shows they were introduced to France in 1839 when Austrian artillery officer August Zang built a Viennese bakery in Paris. Parisians fell in love with the kipferl and tried to imitate it in their shops. It was in 1915 when Sylvain Claudius Goy created the French version of Croissant with laminated yeast dough by folding butter and dough to create the thin and flaky layers.
4. Danish Pastry
The Danish Pastry is a clear choice when we try to order from cafes. However, it was invented because of a strike by Danish bakers to improve their compensation. It created a shortage among Danish bakeries, so they hired workers from foreign countries to fill up, including Austrian bakers. They adapted the laminated Viennese techniques and created the Danish.
3. Green Food on St. Patrick’s Day
Every St. Patrick’s Day, we see a lot of brands releasing green food in honor of the holiday. However, historian Christine Kinealy suggests a dark history surrounding green food hidden in Ireland’s darkest chapter. During the 1840s Irish Potato Famine, a mass starvation in Ireland resulted in people eating grass.
2. Chinese-American Food
Chinese-American food has been a part of our meals and is deeply rooted in media (yup, we’re looking at you, Panda Express). However, there’s a sad story behind the emergence of Chinese restaurants in the US. In 1882, a law was created that prevented Chinese workers from entering the US. However, business owners were granted a special visa. With this, an influx of Chinese restaurants started to emerge, and they also hired employees from China.
1. Kellogg’s Cereal
Ever wondered why your favorite breakfast cereals were created in the first place? Dr. John Harvey Kellogg invented Corn Flakes in the 1800s to dull people’s “unhealthy” satisfaction urges and promote moral living. He decided not to add sugar, just plain and bland food, so people could lead a calmer and disciplined life. However, his brother Will added sugar to make them more appealing.