Kamil Perry
The grilled cheese sandwich is a simple combination of bread and cheese, but no one knows exactly when it was invented. Similar recipes are mentioned in ancient Roman texts, and the English recipe book *Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management* from 1861 includes a recipe for a toasted cheese sandwich. However, the modern grilled cheese is often traced back to the 1920s, when sliced bread and processed cheese became widely available.
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What You'll Learn
The origins of grilled cheese
While it's hard to pinpoint the exact origins of the grilled cheese, there are a few key moments in history that have contributed to the development of this iconic dish.
The concept of combining bread and cheese is thought to have originated around 8000 BC when these two staple foods were first invented. However, it's unclear when and how they were first combined to create the grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today.
In ancient Roman texts, there are mentions of similar recipes, and the French have been enjoying their famous croque monsieurs since the early 1900s. But the modern notion of the grilled cheese is often traced back to the 1920s, when significant innovations in bread slicing and cheese processing made it easier and more affordable to create this simple yet delicious sandwich.
Otto Frederick Rohwedder, often referred to as "the father of sliced bread," invented a bread slicer in 1927, revolutionising the culinary industry and making white bread widely accessible. Around the same time, James L. Kraft, an entrepreneur, patented processed cheese through his revolutionary pasteurising process, ensuring that cheese wouldn't spoil during transportation.
By the late 1960s, grilled cheese sandwiches were appearing on menus across the United States, offering a quick, affordable, and comforting meal for families. While the grilled cheese may not have been invented by a single person, it has certainly evolved over time, becoming a beloved classic in homes and restaurants worldwide.
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The evolution of grilled cheese
While the exact origins of the grilled cheese sandwich are unknown, similar recipes can be found in ancient Roman texts. The modern grilled cheese sandwich is commonly traced back to the 1920s, when Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented a bread slicer that made distributing white bread easy and affordable. Shortly before that, in 1914, processed cheese had been patented by James L. Kraft, whose revolutionary pasteurising process ensured that cheese wouldn't spoil, even when transported long distances.
In 1902, Sarah Tyson Rorer’s cookbook titled “Mrs Rorer’s New Cookbook” included a recipe for a "melted cheese" sandwich, although it did not specify whether or not it was grilled. In 1861, Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management included a recipe for placing sandwiches of brown bread and butter with slices of "a nice fat Cheshire or any good rich cheese" into an oven, and serving when the bread became toasted.
The grilled cheese sandwich was likely invented collectively by the human race over time, with the poor using the two ingredients to feed themselves during the Great Depression. It wasn't until the late 1960s that these sandwiches were printed as "grilled cheese" on menus.
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Grilled cheese in the 1920s
While the exact origins of the grilled cheese sandwich are unknown, the modern notion of the grilled cheese is commonly traced back to the 1920s. In 1914, James L. Kraft, an entrepreneur whose revolutionary pasteurizing process ensured that cheese wouldn't spoil, opened his first plant in Illinois. Kraft's innovation meant that cheese could be transported long distances without spoiling. In 1927, Otto Frederick Rohwedder, considered "the father of sliced bread", invented a bread slicer that made distributing white bread easy and affordable.
The combination of Kraft's processed cheese and Rohwedder's sliced bread meant that grilled cheese sandwiches could be made at home quickly and easily. However, it wasn't until the late 1960s that these sandwiches were printed as "grilled cheese" on menus.
The grilled cheese sandwich is sometimes known as a toasted sandwich, cheese toastie (in the UK) or jaffle (in Australia). It is typically prepared by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread with a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise in a frying pan, griddle or sandwich toaster. Despite its name, the sandwich is rarely grilled and is most often pan-fried.
The concept of combining bread and cheese is not new. In fact, it is believed that bread and cheese were first invented around 8000 BC. An 1861 English recipe book, *Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management*, includes a recipe for a sandwich of brown bread and butter with 1/2-inch slices of "a nice fat Cheshire or any good rich cheese", to be served when the bread becomes toasted.
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Grilled cheese in the 1960s
Grilled cheese sandwiches have been a popular dish for many years, but it wasn't until the 1960s that they were printed on menus for the first time. The grilled cheese sandwich is thought to have been invented in the 1920s, with the first bread slicer invented in 1927, making it easier to create the sandwich.
The grilled cheese sandwich is a simple dish, consisting of just bread and cheese. However, it has become a comfort food for many people. The sandwich is typically prepared by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread with a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise in a frying pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster. The bread browns and the cheese melts, creating a delicious and comforting meal.
The 1960s was a time of change and innovation, and the grilled cheese sandwich was no exception. With the invention of the bread slicer and the popularity of processed cheese, the grilled cheese sandwich became an easy and affordable meal for families to make at home. It is also a versatile dish, with many different varieties and options beyond the classic slice of American cheese and white bread.
The grilled cheese sandwich has come a long way since its early days. While similar recipes are mentioned in ancient Roman texts, and the French have been enjoying their famous croque monsieurs since the early 1900s, the grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today is a relatively modern invention. It is a testament to the power of innovation and the human race's collective creativity in the kitchen.
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Grilled cheese in the 2020s
Grilled cheese is a hot cheese sandwich, made by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread with butter or mayonnaise. The sandwich is typically cooked in a frying pan, on a griddle, or in a sandwich toaster.
While the exact origins of the grilled cheese are unknown, similar recipes are mentioned in ancient Roman texts, and the French have been making their famous croque monsieurs since the early 1900s. However, the grilled cheese as we know it today is commonly traced back to the 1920s, when Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented a bread slicer that made distributing white bread easy and affordable. Shortly before that, processed cheese had been patented by James L. Kraft, an entrepreneur whose revolutionary pasteurising process ensured that cheese wouldn't spoil, even when transported long distances.
The grilled cheese was also a product of the Great Depression, when people used the two affordable ingredients to fill their bellies. It wasn't until the late 1960s that these sandwiches were printed as "grilled cheese" on menus.
In the 2020s, grilled cheese is a popular comfort food, with cookbooks and restaurants offering several varieties of the classic sandwich. While the basic recipe of bread and cheese remains the same, modern grilled cheese sandwiches might include additional ingredients such as tomatoes, bacon, or avocado. They might also be made with different types of bread, such as sourdough or rye, and different types of cheese, such as cheddar or Swiss.
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Frequently asked questions
The grilled cheese sandwich was first mentioned in menus in the 1960s, but it was invented earlier than that.
The grilled cheese was made popular in the 1920s when Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented a bread slicer that made distributing white bread easy and affordable.
The origins of the grilled cheese sandwich are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have evolved over time.
