History of Food

Muffins, History

English style muffins which are yeast raised and cooked on a griddle, may date back to the 10th or 11th century in Wales.

American style muffins are 'quick breads' made in individual molds. Quick breads (chemically leavened as opposed to yeast leavened) were not developed until the end of the 18th century. This took place in America, where pearlash was discovered. Pearlash is a refined form of potash, and it produces carbon dioxide gas in dough. In 'American Cookery' (1796 - the first American cook book) Amelia Simmons published recipes using pearlash, and we exported some 8,000 tons to Europe in 1792. Baking powder was not developed commercially until 1857 (phosphate baking powder).

Quick bread muffins really need to be baked in molds because they are made with a batter rather than a dough.

Which came first, cupcake 'cups' or muffin pans? The term 'cupcake' is first mentioned in E. Leslie's 'Receipts' of 1828.

So, what it really comes down to is who invented the muffin pan, or who used cupcake molds first to make quick bread muffins?

It would seem that the history of the quick bread muffin and the cupcake are intertwined.

Food History from ‘A’ to ‘E’

A la mode - What is A la mode?

A Matter of Taste - The foods that people choose to eat or not to eat is an interesting subject of study. If humans developed in a vacuum, free of all external influences, we would probably consume what naturally appealed to us. Read more.

Animal Crackers - History of the animal crackers.
Apalachicola - Apalachicola is oyster, shrimp and seafood heaven
Apples - The Big Apple History
Apple Brown Betty - History of Apple brown betty

Bain Marie - What is Bain Marie?
Baked Alaska - History of the cake "baked Alaska"
Balsamic Vinegar, Traditional - Ever heard of this type of vinegar?
Banana Bread History - History of banana bread
Bavarian Cream - what is bavarian cream?
Beans - History & Nutrition
Bring home the bacon
Bubble & Squeak

Caesar Salad, Caesar Dressing - History of your favorite salad.
Canning - A History of Canning
Cans, Extreme Shelf Life
Celery, A History
Chateaubriand
Cherries History
Chicken a la King
Chuckwagon History
Chutney

Corned Beef History

Delectable Chocolate and Cocoa
History of Corn
Creme Bavaroise
Crepes Suzette: Suzette, Woman of Mystery
Deep Dish Pizza
Eclairs - What is Eclair?
Eggs Benedict
Eighty Six
English Muffins History

Food History from ‘F’ to ‘Z’

Forks, A Short History
Garum
Granola - History
Gumbo
Key Lime Pie
Ladies of the Evening
Land O'Lakes History
M & M Candies
Maple Syrup History & Making
Muffins History
Mulligatawny Soup
Napkins, A Short History
New Orleans Classics

Sun Dried Lifestyle - New
Onions, A History of Onions
Oysters Rockefeller
Peanut Butter History
The Poison Squad
Modern Potato Origin
Quiche
History of Rice
Salisbury Steak History
Salt History - A Precious Commodity
Sandwiches - The Origin of sandwiches
Steak Diane - Legacy of the Huntress
Stew, A History

Strawberries, A History (Sci4kids)
Stuffing - food history
Tomatoes - Taxonomy
Turkey History & Facts
Vegetables & Fruits Of The New World
Walnuts - Up Against the Wall
Waring Blender's Unusual History
Whipped Cream - History of whipped cream