American Food History: A Work In Progress

By: Andrew Krause
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:18:04
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

It's a clich?, although a true one, that America is a nation of immigrants. A huge proportion of the country's population either was not born within its borders, or has parents or grandparents who were not. Thus, American food history is as yet a fairly short book, with the exception of Indian fry bread and certain other Native American dishes.

However, it's not a completely blank book. Let's look at one example in particular, the 1904 World's Fair, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Mo.

At the turn of the 20th century, the World's Fair was the event to go to nationwide. People came from all over on trains, horseback and in cars (which were limited to 10 mph). Of course, they got hungry while they were there, and there was a panoply of edible items available to sate their hunger.

There are any number of food items claimed to have been invented at the world's fair. The hot dog is one, although it's well documented that Germans were eating a sandwich they called a "dachshund" for years. However, it was the first time most people in the general public had seen or tasted them.

The same goes for iced tea, cotton candy and hamburgers. None of these food items were actually invented at the fair, but the fair is where they came to the national consciousness. It's hard to believe that a megalithic corporation like McDonald's owes its very existence to something as humble as "fair food," but a case could be made that it's true.

One food that really was invented at the fair was the ice cream cone. People had experimented with portable containers before, but the waffle cone was first sold publicly at the World's Fair, and it was an instant hit. An edible container? Who wouldn't want it?

That's just over a hundred years ago, now. While Europe's food history stretches back centuries, American food history is still being written … but more every day!

Andrew Krause is a Chef and Pastry Chef for over 30 years, at persent I own a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese Confectioner. You can visit my site at http://www.andies.cashhosters2.com

NOTE: You are welcome to reprint this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the about the author info at the end).

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Food & Beverage category

  • Is Bottled Water Better Than Tap? - By: Gregg Ess
    It can be argued that bottled water is the fastest growing choice for a drink in the United States. Americans spend billions of dollars on it. Some people prefer it to other beverages like soda. Others may think it is safer than their tap water. And yet others just think the taste of bottled water is better than tap
  • Requirements for Kosher Meat - By: Marcia Henin
    What makes a meat kosher - the requirements and process of making kosher meat.
  • How to Choose the Right Catering Service? - By: Marcia Henin
    Catering services are a big issue when one is setting up an event that includes food. This article will give out some tips and highlights for how to choose the right catering service.
  • Kosher Food - The Way of Eating - By: Marcia Henin
    Many people, not necessarily Jewish ones, are transferring to kosher food. This article is about their reasons and beliefs about how kosher food is healthier then non-kosher food.
  • The Barista Realtors of Tel Aviv - By: Justin Havre
    Are you a Realtor that's been racking your brain for clever ways to get clients to come to you? Ways to trim the cost of the celebratory luncheon? Eliminate cold calls? Cut down on driving time? Sure you are. And though technology seems to be the answer to almo
  • Bistros and Restaurants in Paris, France - By: Martyn Davis
    There are thousands of different bistros, cafes and restaurants in Paris, which will range from having a quick snack to having a full blown A la Carte meal at one of the top table restaurants that serve haute cuisine.
  • Pistachios - A Perfect Hostess Gift - By: Bethany Chastain
    Do you ever think about finding the perfect hostess gift? Think about presenting the hostess with an attractive container of pistachio nuts. What a great one-of-a-kind idea! Almost everyone likes pistachios and lots of people think they are a tasty treat.
  • The Source Of The Secret Mouthwatering Dishes - By: Charanpreet Kanwal
    I have always wondered how some place claim to get secret restaurant recipes and sell them to gullible people when the restaurants will probably guard their recipes with their lives.
  • Vegetarian Book Recipes - By: Elisha konga
    Sometimes being a vegetarian seems no fun at all, especially on the weekend barbeque where everyone else is enjoying grilled sticks and many other grilled delicacies. But no more, before this weekend get yourself a new vegetarian cook book full of vegetarian recipes and enjoy as others are doing.
  • Six Things in choosing the Right Type of Food for Your Event - By: Neha Arora
    When you are organizing an event, there are a lot of planning and things that need to be done. Catering service is definitely a must during an event. Sometimes, the type of food that you cater for your guests can make the difference between a positive event and a poorly organized event. Before you hire a catering company for your event, it is recommended for you to do some food tasting first.