Bushra Griffith
The cheese sandwich, a dish consisting of cheese between slices of bread, has been a staple in British culture. While the exact origin of the cheese sandwich is not documented, some interpretations of William Shakespeare's 1602 play, The Merry Wives of Windsor, suggest that the line I love not the humour of bread and cheese could be the first written reference to a cheese sandwich. The sandwich, in general, is named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who, in the 18th century, ordered his valet to bring him roast beef between two pieces of toasted bread during a 24-hour gambling streak. This allowed him to eat with one hand while continuing to play cards with the other.
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What You'll Learn
- Shakespeare's 'Merry Wives of Windsor' may contain the first written reference to a cheese sandwich
- The sandwich is named after John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich
- The grilled cheese sandwich is a popular variation
- In the US, a sandwich is legally defined as having at least two slices of bread
- Cheese sandwiches were once considered men's food
Shakespeare's 'Merry Wives of Windsor' may contain the first written reference to a cheese sandwich
The sandwich is believed to have been invented by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, in the 18th century. The story goes that Lord Sandwich, during long sessions of card games, would order his valet to bring him roast beef between two pieces of toasted bread. This allowed him to eat without needing a fork or getting his cards greasy. The term "sandwich" was thus used to refer to "bread and meat" or "bread and cheese".
While the exact origin of the cheese sandwich is not documented, some interpretations of William Shakespeare's 1602 play, The Merry Wives of Windsor, suggest that it contains the first written reference to a cheese sandwich. In the play, believed to have been written in or before 1597, the line "I love not the humour of bread and cheese" is spoken. This interpretation, however, is speculative and not widely accepted as a definitive reference to a cheese sandwich.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is a comedy by Shakespeare that features the character Sir John Falstaff, a fat knight who pursues two married women. The wives, who are smart, play tricks on Falstaff with the help of their husbands and friends. They ultimately put an end to his mischief by dressing him as a woman and bringing him to a haunted forest.
The play is believed to have been written at the request of Queen Elizabeth I and is one of Shakespeare's lesser-regarded works among literary critics. While the exact date of its writing is unknown, it is speculated to have been written between Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2, as the connection between Falstaff and the characters Pistol and Shallow is assumed in The Merry Wives of Windsor, despite being introduced in Henry IV, Part 2.
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The sandwich is named after John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich
The sandwich is named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, an eighteenth-century English aristocrat. The story goes that during a 24-hour gambling streak in 1762, he asked a cook to prepare him a meal that would not interfere with his game. The cook presented him with sliced meat between two pieces of toast, which could be eaten with one hand, leaving the other free to continue playing cards.
Lord Sandwich was fond of this convenient form of eating, as it did not require utensils and allowed him to continue gambling while he ate without getting his cards greasy from eating meat with his bare hands. The sandwich soon grew in popularity in London, and the name became associated with this style of food. The word "sandwich" was then incorporated into other languages, and the concept of a sandwich—a portable, convenient food—began to spread worldwide.
Over time, the sandwich evolved to include a variety of fillings, such as meat, cheese, sauces, and vegetables, placed between slices of bread. The definition of a sandwich has been the subject of debate, with various courts in the United States ruling on whether items like burritos, tacos, and hot dogs can be considered sandwiches.
In the United Kingdom, a cheese sandwich is typically made with semi-hard cheeses such as Cheddar, Red Leicester, or Double Gloucester. Popular variants include the cheese and pickle sandwich, the cheese and tomato sandwich, and the grilled cheese sandwich, in which the sandwich is heated until the cheese melts.
While the exact origin of the cheese sandwich is not documented, interpretations of a line in William Shakespeare's 1602 play, "The Merry Wives of Windsor," suggest that it may be the first written reference to a cheese sandwich.
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The grilled cheese sandwich is a popular variation
There are several techniques and ingredients that can elevate the grilled cheese sandwich. For instance, using two types of cheese, such as mozzarella for stretch and another for flavour, like Gruyere or vintage cheddar, can enhance the taste and texture. Sourdough bread, freshly grated cheese, and salted butter can also take the sandwich to the next level.
Preparing a grilled cheese sandwich in a pan on the stove is preferred by many, as it creates a superior golden, buttery crust. This method also allows for better control over the melting process and prevents the cheese from oozing out, which can be an issue with sandwich presses or toastie makers.
Some enthusiasts even add extra ingredients to their grilled cheese sandwiches, such as caramelised onions, sliced tomatoes, or a combination of butter and margarine to enhance the flavour of the cheese. The versatility of the grilled cheese sandwich makes it a favourite among cheese lovers, and it continues to be a popular choice worldwide.
While the grilled cheese sandwich remains a classic, other variations of the cheese sandwich also exist. For example, the pimento cheese sandwich is a traditional favourite in the southern United States, and the Italian variation, the carrozza, is a mozzarella cheese sandwich coated in egg and flour and then fried. These regional twists on the classic cheese sandwich showcase its adaptability and enduring popularity.
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In the US, a sandwich is legally defined as having at least two slices of bread
The sandwich is named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, from 18th-century England. The story goes that Lord Sandwich, fond of gambling, ordered his valet to bring him roast beef between two pieces of toasted bread during a 24-hour gambling streak. This allowed him to eat without needing a fork or getting his cards greasy from the meat. The dish then gained popularity in London, and the name 'sandwich' stuck.
While the exact origin of the cheese sandwich is not documented, some interpretations of William Shakespeare's 1602 play, *The Merry Wives of Windsor*, suggest that the line "I love not the humour of bread and cheese" could be the first written reference to a cheese sandwich. However, this interpretation is speculative and not widely accepted.
In the US, the definition of a sandwich has been the subject of legal debate, with various states and federal agencies offering their own interpretations. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are responsible for protecting the definition of a sandwich. The USDA defines a sandwich as "at least 35% cooked meat and no more than 50% bread" for closed sandwiches and "at least 50% cooked meat" for open sandwiches. The USDA's definition specifically refers to meat or poultry fillings, which means that a grilled cheese sandwich falls under the jurisdiction of the FDA.
In 2006, a court in Boston, Massachusetts, ruled that a sandwich includes at least two slices of bread. This definition excluded burritos, tacos, and quesadillas, which are typically made with a single tortilla and stuffed with fillings. However, in 2024, a court in Indiana ruled that tacos and burritos are Mexican-style sandwiches, and this definition would also apply to Greek gyros, Indian naan wraps, and Vietnamese banh mi.
The definition of a sandwich has also been debated on social media, with people questioning whether a hot dog, open sandwich, hamburger, or burrito can be considered a sandwich. The state definitions vary; California and New York label hot dogs and hamburgers as sandwiches, while New York provides an even broader definition, including any cold or hot sandwiches made on bread, bagels, rolls, pitas, wraps, or otherwise, regardless of the filling or number of layers.
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Cheese sandwiches were once considered men's food
While the exact origin of the cheese sandwich is not documented, some interpretations of William Shakespeare's 1602 play, The Merry Wives of Windsor, suggest that the line "I love not the humour of bread and cheese" could be the first written reference to a cheese sandwich. However, this interpretation is speculative and not widely accepted.
The sandwich, in general, is named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, from 18th-century England. It is said that he would order his valet to bring him roast beef between two pieces of toasted bread during long sessions of card games at public gambling houses. This allowed him to continue gambling while eating, without needing a fork or getting his cards greasy from eating meat with his bare hands.
Initially, sandwiches were perceived as food that men shared while gaming and drinking at night. Over time, it started appearing in polite society as a late-night meal among the aristocracy. The simplicity of preparation, portability, and endless variety of sandwiches led to their incorporation into virtually every Western cuisine.
Cheese sandwiches, in particular, have become a popular variety. The grilled cheese sandwich, for example, is a favourite in which the sandwich is heated until the cheese melts. In the southern United States, the pimento cheese sandwich is a traditional favourite, while the Italian variation is the carrozza, a mozzarella cheese sandwich coated in egg and flour and then fried.
In 2014, a survey found that 55% of British adults had not eaten a cheese sandwich in the previous week, indicating a decline in its popularity in the United Kingdom. However, a 2018 survey of 2,000 British people found that a plain cheese sandwich was the most popular type of sandwich. This classic food continues to be a staple for many, with its versatility and ease of preparation making it a convenient and tasty option for people of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
A cheese sandwich is a sandwich made with cheese between slices of bread. Semi-hard cheeses are typically used for the filling, such as Cheddar, Red Leicester, or Double Gloucester.
The grilled cheese is a popular variation of the cheese sandwich, in which the sandwich is heated until the cheese melts. Other popular variations include the British cheese and pickle sandwich, the cheese and tomato sandwich, and the Italian carrozza, which is a mozzarella cheese sandwich coated in egg and flour and then fried.
The term "cheese sandwich" was likely derived from the fact that it is a sandwich that contains cheese. The word "sandwich" itself is named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who popularized the concept of placing fillings, such as meat or cheese, between slices of bread.
The exact origin of the cheese sandwich is not well documented. However, interpretations of William Shakespeare's 1602 play, "The Merry Wives of Windsor," suggest that it may contain the first written reference to a cheese sandwich. In modern times, cheese sandwiches have been a staple in British lunch culture, although their popularity has been declining in recent years.
There have been debates and controversies surrounding the definition of a sandwich and whether certain dishes, such as hot dogs, burritos, or tacos, should be categorized as sandwiches. Additionally, there has been criticism of the healthiness of cheese sandwiches due to their high salt content, although this claim was later retracted.
