Patrick Oconnell
Mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack in the United States, found on the menu of almost every restaurant. Despite their popularity, many are surprised to learn that the snack has a long and colourful history. The first documented practice of breading thin slices of cheese and frying them can be traced back to a 1393 Medieval French cookbook, Le Ménagier de Paris. However, the modern mozzarella stick likely originated in the United States during the 1970s, thanks to the increasing availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese and the development of new frying technologies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of frying cheese | Dates back to 1393 in medieval France, when a recipe for fried cheese sticks appeared in Le Ménagier de Paris |
| Mozzarella sticks origins | United States during the 1970s |
| Mozzarella sticks preparation | Coating cheese strings in breadcrumbs or batter |
| Mozzarella sticks serving | Served with tomato or marinara sauce |
| Other fried cheeses | Provolone, Edam, cheddar, and American |
| Cheese sticks brands | Sargento, Kerrygold |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella sticks' origins
Mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack and a staple appetizer in the United States. Despite their popularity, their origins are not widely known.
The concept of breaded and fried cheese is not new, with recipes for fried cheese sticks appearing in medieval France as early as 1393 in the cookbook "Le Ménagier de Paris". However, these early fried cheese dishes likely bear little resemblance to the modern mozzarella stick.
The mozzarella stick as we know it today likely originated in the United States during the 1970s. This timing coincides with the increasing availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese and the development of new, efficient frying technologies. The rise in popularity of pizza, brought about by Italian immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, also played a role in the creation of the mozzarella stick. As pizza joints became more prevalent in the US, mozzarella cheese became more accessible and widely used.
One source credits Frank Baker, a Wisconsin cheesemaker, with the invention of string cheese in the mid-1970s. Baker combined the Wisconsin love for cheese with business acumen, capitalising on the rising popularity of mozzarella cheese in the 1960s and 1970s.
Today, mozzarella sticks are a ubiquitous menu item, found in restaurants ranging from burger joints to pizza shops, and they continue to be a favourite snack for many.
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The role of pizza joints
So, where do pizza joints come into all of this? Well, the increasing popularity of pizza in the 1960s and 1970s gave Americans a taste for Italian cheese, specifically mozzarella. As pizza became more and more popular, mozzarella became a common commodity, and mozzarella sticks became an easy sell. It is important, however, to note that pizza joints likely did not invent the mozzarella stick. Instead, it is more probable that these sticks were first served in bars and then adopted by pizza restaurants.
The rise of mozzarella sticks is often attributed to two factors: the increasing availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese in the 1960s, and the development of new, efficient frying technologies in the 1960s and 1970s. These new frying techniques allowed for the growth of fast-food restaurants and made it possible for smaller kitchens, like those in sports bars, bowling alleys, and pizza joints, to fry foods quickly and cheaply. Thus, while pizza restaurants may not have invented the mozzarella stick, they certainly played a role in popularizing it.
Today, mozzarella sticks are a common menu item at pizza joints and are often served as appetizers or hors d'oeuvres, alongside various dipping sauces such as tomato or marinara sauce, plum sauce, jalapeno jelly, barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce, and ranch dressing. The popularity of mozzarella sticks has also led to the creation of other fried cheese options, including provolone, Edam, cheddar, and American cheese sticks.
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Popularity in the 1990s
While mozzarella sticks likely originated in the United States during the 1970s, they gained immense popularity in the 1990s. This popularity can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese, the development of efficient frying technologies, and their presence in casual dining restaurants.
In the 1990s, mozzarella sticks were a common fixture on the menus of casual dining restaurants, such as T.G.I. Fridays, Bennigan's, and Applebee's, which were experiencing a surge in popularity at the time. These restaurants offered a wide variety of appetizers, and mozzarella sticks were a perfect fit for their menus. The rise of casual dining chains provided a platform for mozzarella sticks to reach a wider audience and become a beloved snack for people of all ages.
The 1990s also saw a continued increase in the availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese, which had been growing since the 1960s. This meant that restaurants could easily source the necessary ingredients for mozzarella sticks at a low cost, making it a convenient and profitable menu item. Additionally, the development of efficient frying technologies played a crucial role in the popularity of mozzarella sticks. The ability to quickly fry these cheese sticks made them ideal for fast-paced food-serving businesses, such as sports bars and bowling alleys, which were frequented by young adults and families in the 1990s.
Mozzarella sticks' versatility as an appetizer or snack also contributed to their widespread appeal in the 1990s. They could be served as a starter, a late-night bar snack, or even a party dish at home. Their crispy exterior and gooey, stretchy cheese interior provided a satisfying textural contrast, making them addictive and indulgent. The sticks were often served with a variety of dipping sauces, including the classic marinara sauce, as well as plum sauce, jalapeño jelly, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce, and ranch dressing, catering to diverse taste preferences.
Moreover, the cultural context of the 1990s, with its emphasis on convenience and comfort food, further propelled the popularity of mozzarella sticks. They were easy to prepare, could be made in large batches, and satisfied the craving for cheesy, fried foods. Their popularity continued to grow, and they even became a menu item at McDonald's, showcasing their mass appeal and widespread adoption by restaurants.
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Ancient French recipes
While mozzarella sticks are often considered Italian due to their use of Italian cheese, they are not an authentic Italian dish. In fact, the first documented practice of breading thin slices of cheese and frying them can be traced back to a Medieval French cookbook called "Le Ménagier de Paris", which was published in 1393. The recipe instructs readers to:
> Take egg yolks and flour and salt, and a little wine, and beat together strongly, and cheese chopped in thin slices, and then roll the slices of cheese in the batter, and then fry in an iron skillet with oil in it. This can also be made using beef marrow.
Despite this early recipe, food historians believe that Medieval French fried cheeses bore little resemblance to the modern mozzarella sticks we know today. Instead, the mozzarella sticks we consume are likely to have originated in the United States during the 1970s, due to two key factors. Firstly, the increasing availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese in the 1960s, and secondly, the development of new efficient frying technologies suitable for fast-paced food-serving businesses.
Today, mozzarella sticks are typically prepared by coating cheese strings in breadcrumbs or batter, and they can be baked or fried in oil. They are usually served with tomato or marinara sauce, but other dipping sauces such as plum sauce, jalapeño jelly, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce, and ranch dressing are also popular.
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The modern state
While the concept of frying cheese in batter dates back to at least 1393 in medieval France, with a recipe for fried cheese sticks appearing in Le Ménagier de Paris, the modern cheese stick, specifically the mozzarella stick, likely originated in the United States during the 1970s. This conclusion is supported by two factors. Firstly, the increasing availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese beginning in the 1960s, and secondly, the development of new efficient frying technologies for use in fast-paced food-serving businesses, such as bowling alleys and sports bars.
Mozzarella sticks are elongated pieces of battered or breaded mozzarella, usually served as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre. They are prepared by coating cheese strings in breadcrumbs or batter and are often baked or fried in oil. The coating consists of a flour and cornstarch mixture, eggs, and breadcrumbs. The cheese sticks are then fried until golden and crispy on the outside, with melted gooey cheese on the inside.
The popularity of mozzarella sticks was further enhanced in the 1980s with the rise of casual restaurant chains like T.G.I. Fridays, Bennigan's, and Applebee's, which offered a large selection of appetizers. These restaurants contributed to the widespread appeal of mozzarella sticks as a beloved snack or side dish.
In addition to mozzarella, other types of cheese sticks have gained popularity, including those made from Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, and Cheddar cheese. These cheese sticks are often marketed as convenient snacks for lunchboxes or on-the-go consumption. The cheese sticks are typically packaged individually or in small packs and are designed to be easily portable and nutritious.
While the exact timeline of their emergence is unclear, cheese sticks have become an integral part of modern cuisine, with various recipes and dipping sauces available. They are a versatile food item that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, showcasing the enduring appeal of fried cheese in the contemporary culinary landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
The first documented practice of breading thin slices of cheese and frying it appeared in a Medieval French cookbook called "Le Ménagier de Paris" in 1393.
The original recipe called for the use of Muenster cheese instead of mozzarella.
The modern mozzarella stick likely has its origins in the United States during the 1970s.
According to some sources, the concept of string cheese was invented by Frank Baker, a Wisconsin cheesemaker, in 1976.
The mozzarella cheese stick was first served in pizza joints in the United States.
