Is French Toast Really From France?

Americans live by the ecclesiastical phrase eat, drink, and be merry. We love eating so much that we use culinary tools to describe our society (melting pots and salad bowls). One of the benefits of having such a diverse society means having a diverse selection of grub. But where did our favorite foods originate? Here’s a list of 5 foods with deceptive names.

French Toast

Image courtesy of Svadilfari on Flickr

Typical French toast is made by dipping bread in eggs, frying the bread, then topping it with a variety of foods dependent on what’s popular in a particular geographic location. It is available around the world, but most popular in North America and Europe. The term “French toast” can be found in print in the U.S. as early as 1871. However, a popular legend is that the dish was commonly known as German toast in North America and England prior to World War I, but that the name was changed due to anti-German sentiment.

German Chocolate Cake

Image courtesy of my_amii on Flickr

While on the subject of Germany, there’s German chocolate cake, which is actually from…wait for it…Dallas, TX! According to Snopes the first recipe for German chocolate cake was submitted by a Texas homemaker to a Dallas newspaper in 1957. The cake got its name from the type of baking chocolate used, “Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate.” So, should there ever be any future anti-German sentiment, please don’t start calling this French chocolate cake.

French Fries

Image courtesy of food_in_mouth on Flickr

In 1680, people in the Spanish Netherlands (modern-day Belgium) would prepare sliced potatoes fried in oil when they were unable to catch any fish, so why aren’t they called Belgian fries? One of the earliest uses of the term French fried potato was by Thomas Jefferson, when he requested that his cooks prepare “potatoes served in the French manner,” at a White House dinner in 1802. The term French fries didn’t stick, though, and the dish was still commonly known as “fried potatoes.” French fries didn’t enter the vernacular for good until World War I, when American soldiers sampled them in France and enjoyed them immensely. When the soldiers brought the idea back to the U.S. after the war, people assumed they originated in France, and the term French fries stuck.

Belgian Waffles

Image courtesy of Jeff Cushner on Flickr

The French may have stolen their fried potatoes, but Belgium gets to keep its title as originator of the Belgian waffle, also known as the Brussels waffle. In the U.S., Belgian waffles typically have larger pockets than standard waffles, but that’s not what makes them Belgian. Standard waffles are made with batter that has been leavened with baking powder, while Belgian waffles are made with batter that has been leavened with yeast. So, the next time you go out for breakfast and see Belgian waffles on the menu, ask them what they’re made with; they may just be trying to trick you with a large-pocketed standard waffle.

India Pale Ale (IPA)

Image courtesy of Bernt Rostad on Flickr

Americans don’t just eat. We like to drink, too, and one of the popular trends among American craft and micro-brewers is to brew India Pale Ales, more commonly known as IPAs. Contrary to its nomenclature, the IPA was actually created in England in the 18th century by George Hodgson, owner of the Bow Brewery. One of the major distinctions of an IPA versus a typical pale ale is that it is highly hopped, and is supposed to age for a long time; up to 2 years. A popular legend is that Hodgson created this variety of pale ale because other ales would go stale on the four month long journey to India, hence its name. However, more likely is that the brewery became popular among traders in the British East India Company because of its proximity to the docks and Hodgson’s willingness to offer traders 18-month long lines of credit.

You may also like:

1. Did Polish Cavalry Really Charge German Tanks? With the 70th anniversary of the *official* start of World...
2. In For a Penny, In For a Pound Etymology – Originally with reference to the fact that if...
3. New Features! Forum Addition In Progress Hi all! You may have noticed the new link at...
4. It’s International Death Penalty Abolition Day! Depending on how you feel about the death penalty, you...