Kamil Perry
The grilled cheese sandwich is a popular dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world. While the concept of combining bread and cheese is not new, the history of the grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today can be traced back to the 1920s in the United States. This decade saw the invention of the bread slicer by Otto Frederick Rohwedder, which, along with the growing availability of inexpensive processed cheese, made grilled cheese sandwiches accessible to the average person.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Date of origin | 1920s |
| Key inventors | Otto Frederick Rohwedder, James L. Kraft |
| Other names | Toasted sandwich, cheese toastie, jaffle |
| Typical ingredients | Bread, cheese, butter, mayonnaise |
| Variations | Open-faced, with toppings such as tomatoes, eggs, pineapple, and bacon |
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What You'll Learn
- The grilled cheese sandwich is thought to have originated in the United States during the 1920s
- The ancient Romans ate bread and cheese together, and similar recipes appear in their texts
- In the early 1900s, the French had grilled cheese sandwiches, known as Croque Monsieurs, on their menus
- During World War II, Navy cooks made countless grilled cheese sandwiches, known as American cheese filling sandwiches
- The term grilled cheese didn't appear in print until the 1960s; before that, they were called toasted cheese or melted cheese sandwiches
The grilled cheese sandwich is thought to have originated in the United States during the 1920s
The grilled cheese sandwich quickly became a staple of the average American's diet. During the Great Depression, people needed cheap food, and grilled cheese sandwiches, then known as "toasted cheese", were a popular option. They were usually served open-faced, with grated cheese on a single slice of bread, but eventually, a second slice of bread was added to make the meal more filling.
During World War II, grilled cheese sandwiches were a favourite of the Allied Armed Forces, with Navy cooks preparing "American cheese filling sandwiches" in ships' kitchens. In the 1940s and '50s, these were often served open-faced, and it wasn't until around 1960 that the second slice of bread was consistently added, and the modern notion of a grilled cheese sandwich was born. The term "grilled cheese" also came into use around this time, replacing the previous names of "toasted cheese" or "melted cheese" sandwiches.
Today, the grilled cheese sandwich remains a popular comfort food, with restaurants and food trucks in the United States specializing in this classic dish, offering various ingredients and combinations to suit different tastes and preferences.
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The ancient Romans ate bread and cheese together, and similar recipes appear in their texts
The grilled cheese sandwich is a popular food item, with many people having their own version of it. While the idea of grilled cheese is commonly traced back to the 1920s, the concept of eating bread and cheese together is much older. In fact, the ancient Romans consumed bread and cheese together, and similar recipes appear in their texts.
The ancient Romans ate bread with cheese and watered-down wine. They also consumed cheese with olives and grapes. The Roman legions' staple ration of food was wheat, and they ate bread with vegetables and meat. Cheese was also a part of the standard rations for Roman soldiers. The ancient Romans had several bakeries, and bread was a part of almost every meal. It was often eaten with cheese and cold cuts from the night before for lunch, and with sides like dried peas or lentils for dinner.
The ancient Romans did not have modern cooking technologies like electric stoves and refrigerators. Still, they were resourceful and creative with the produce, grains, meat, and fish available, resulting in some fascinating recipes. They also had cookbooks and recipes, such as the Greek fragmentary cookery book preserved on a papyrus from Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, and the Roman cookbook Apicius, which gives several recipes for chickpeas.
Dietary evidence from gladiator bones, food remnants in the sewers at archaeological sites like Herculaneum, and representations of food in art provide clues to what Romans ate. They consumed a variety of foods, including legumes, nuts, fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. They also had a sweet tooth and used honey in many dessert recipes, such as sweet wine cakes made with honey, reduced red wine, and cinnamon.
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In the early 1900s, the French had grilled cheese sandwiches, known as Croque Monsieurs, on their menus
The grilled cheese sandwich is a staple in many restaurants and is one of the most popular sandwiches with endless ingredient options. The idea of putting bread and cheese together has been around since ancient times, with similar recipes mentioned in ancient Roman texts. However, the grilled cheese sandwich in its modern form is thought to have originated in the United States during the 1920s. This was when sliced bread and processed cheese became widely available and affordable.
In the early 1900s, the French had their own version of the grilled cheese sandwich on their menus, known as the Croque Monsieur. The Croque Monsieur is a hot sandwich made with ham and cheese, typically Gruyère, baked or boiled ham, and sliced cheese between slices of white bread. The sandwich may be baked or fried, and the bread can be optionally browned by grilling after being dipped in beaten egg. The name "Croque Monsieur" translates to "crunch mister", with "croque" meaning "crunch" and "monsieur" meaning "mister". The sandwich is said to have been created by bistro owner Michel Lunarca, who satirically used the name after being accused of serving human meat.
The Croque Monsieur first appeared in French cafes in the 1910s and quickly gained popularity as an enjoyable snack. It is considered a classic Parisian dish and can be found on menus across the French capital, with some restaurants devoted to this sandwich. Modern versions of the Croque Monsieur retain the key elements of the original recipe while adding unique twists, such as using different types of cheese or adding sauces like béchamel.
The Croque Monsieur has also inspired variations, such as the Croque Madame, which is the original sandwich topped with a poached or lightly fried egg. This variation gets its name from a woman's hat that became popular in the 1960s, as the yolk resembles its shape. Another variation is the Croque-à-cheval, found in Normandy, which also includes a fried egg on top. A lighter, vegetarian version is the Croque-Mademoiselle, made with ordinary melting cheese, chives, cucumber, and lettuce.
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During World War II, Navy cooks made countless grilled cheese sandwiches, known as American cheese filling sandwiches
The grilled cheese sandwich is a popular dish with a long history. The idea of combining bread and cheese is thought to have originated in ancient times, with similar recipes mentioned in ancient Roman texts. During World War II, Navy cooks made countless grilled cheese sandwiches, known as "American cheese filling sandwiches". This was a cost-effective meal promoted by the US government during the war. The recipe was included in government-issued cookbooks, and it was typically served open-faced, consisting of a single slice of bread topped with grated cheese. These sandwiches were a lunchtime staple and provided a quick and easy dinner option.
The popularity of grilled cheese sandwiches during World War II can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the US government's promotion of these sandwiches in official cookbooks encouraged their preparation and consumption. Secondly, processed cheese, which had gained popularity before the war, was readily available and had a long shelf life, making it a convenient option for military rations.
The history of grilled cheese sandwiches also extends back to the early 1900s, when the French popularized the "Croque Monsieur", a combination of toasted bread, melted cheese, and ham. In the United States, the development of sliced bread by Otto Frederick Rohwedder in the 1920s and the patenting of processed cheese by James L. Kraft contributed to the rise of the grilled cheese sandwich.
By the time World War II broke out, grilled cheese sandwiches were already a basic part of the average person's diet in the United States. The convenience and affordability of the ingredients, along with their versatility, contributed to their widespread appeal. During the war, the US military embraced these sandwiches as a cost-effective and nourishing option for their troops.
After World War II, the grilled cheese sandwich continued to evolve. In 1950, Kraft Foods introduced Kraft Singles, individually wrapped slices of processed cheese, which became available in supermarkets in 1965. It was also around this time that a second slice of bread was often added to the open-faced sandwiches, making them more filling and leading to the modern notion of a grilled cheese sandwich.
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The term grilled cheese didn't appear in print until the 1960s; before that, they were called toasted cheese or melted cheese sandwiches
The grilled cheese sandwich is a popular dish in many countries, but its origins are often traced back to the United States in the 1920s. At this time, sliced bread and processed cheese were both widely available and affordable, creating the perfect conditions for the grilled cheese to become a staple in the average American's diet.
The actual term "grilled cheese", however, didn't appear in print until the 1960s. Before this, the sandwich was referred to as "toasted cheese" or "melted cheese". This is because the sandwich is typically prepared by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread in a frying pan or on a griddle, toasting the bread and melting the cheese. In the United Kingdom, for example, the sandwich is commonly known as a "toasted cheese sandwich" or "cheese toastie", reflecting the toasting or melting of the cheese.
The grilled cheese sandwich has evolved over the years, with various ingredients being added to the classic combination of bread and cheese. Popular toppings and additions include tomatoes, peppers, onions, eggs, pineapple, and bacon. The sandwich is also sometimes prepared with a layer of butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread for additional flavor and texture.
The grilled cheese has become a comfort food for many, with restaurants and food trucks specializing in gourmet versions of the classic sandwich. It has also made several notable appearances in popular culture, including in the 1993 film "Benny & Joon", where the character Sam, played by Johnny Depp, cooks a stack of grilled cheese sandwiches using a clothes iron.
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Frequently asked questions
Grilled cheese sandwiches, sometimes known as toasted sandwiches, cheese toasties, or jaffles, are believed to have originated in the United States. They became popular during the Great Depression and were included in US Navy cookbooks during World War II.
A grilled cheese sandwich is typically made by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread with a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise on a frying pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster.
Yes, there are many variations of grilled cheese sandwiches. For example, in France, a "croque-monsieur" is made with ham and Gruyere cheese and is often topped with a béchamel sauce. In India, a "paneer sandwich" is made with paneer cheese and served with chutney or other spices.
Grilled cheese sandwiches became popular in the 1960s when they were called melted cheese or toasted cheese sandwiches. The term "grilled cheese" was first used in print during this decade.
