Andy Montoya
The grilled cheese sandwich is a classic comfort food that has been a staple in North America for over a century. The exact origin of the grilled cheese sandwich is unknown, but it is believed to have become popular in the 1920s, with the invention of sliced bread by Otto Frederick Rohwedder and the development of processed cheese by James L. Kraft. During the Great Depression, the grilled cheese sandwich was a cheap and filling meal for many Americans, and it became a staple in the American diet. By World War II, it was a favourite among the Allied Armed Forces, and it soon became a regular meal in school cafeterias and homes. Today, grilled cheese sandwiches are found on menus ranging from delis to five-star restaurants, and they are loved by both children and adults alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of establishment | The exact origin of grilled cheese is unknown, but it became popular in the 1920s |
| Earliest forms | Open-faced with grated American cheese and toppings such as tomatoes, eggs, bacon, and pineapple |
| Historical mentions | Ancient Roman cookbooks, "Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management" (1861), "Mrs. Rorer's New Cookbook" (1902), "The Joy of Cooking" (1953) |
| Historical popularity | Became a staple in the American diet during the Great Depression due to its affordability and convenience |
| Military use | Used by the US government during World War II as a cost-effective meal for the military |
| Modern popularity | Found on menus ranging from delis to five-star restaurants, with specialty grilled cheese restaurants and food trucks also existing |
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What You'll Learn
The grilled cheese sandwich became popular in the 1920s
The grilled cheese sandwich has been a staple of the North American diet for over a century, but it became especially popular in the 1920s. This was due to a combination of factors, including the invention of the bread slicer by Otto Frederick Rohwedder in 1927, which made distributing white bread easy, affordable, and convenient. In addition, processed cheese had been recently patented by entrepreneur James L. Kraft, ensuring that cheese could be transported long distances without spoiling. The huge increase in restaurant dining in the 1920s, coupled with the availability of inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese, made grilled cheese sandwiches a popular choice for the public.
The grilled cheese sandwich, in its earliest form, was made open-faced with grated American cheese. Common toppings included tomatoes, eggs, bacon, and pineapple. It was a simple yet delicious combination that anyone could make at home. The concept of pairing bread with cheese, of course, is not new. Even ancient Roman cookbooks recommended combining bread and cheese at mealtimes, and French cookbooks from the early 1900s featured the "Croque Monsieur", a variation of the grilled cheese with ham.
During the Great Depression, the grilled cheese sandwich became a staple in America. It was affordable, convenient, and filling, making it a popular choice for those who needed to stretch their food budgets. Poor Americans in the 1930s could usually afford this inexpensive option, which provided enough nutrition to get them through the day. During World War II, the grilled cheese sandwich was a favourite of the Allied Armed Forces, and it soon became a regular meal in school cafeterias and households across the country.
The term "grilled cheese" didn't appear in print until the 1960s; before that, it was known as a toasted cheese or melted cheese sandwich. The grilled cheese sandwich has continued to evolve, with specialty grilled cheese restaurants cropping up and chefs experimenting with different ingredients, breads, and cheeses. Today, grilled cheese sandwiches can be found on menus ranging from local delis to five-star Michelin restaurants, a testament to their enduring popularity.
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The term grilled cheese didn't appear in print until the 1960s
The grilled cheese sandwich has been a staple in North America for over a century. Despite this, the exact origin of the grilled cheese sandwich remains a mystery. However, it is speculated that the sandwich was invented in the 1920s, when sliced bread and processed cheese became widely available and affordable. During the Great Depression, the grilled cheese sandwich was a staple in the American diet, especially for those who were poor and needed a cheap yet filling meal. During World War II, the grilled cheese sandwich was a favourite among the Allied Armed Forces, and it soon became a regular meal in school cafeterias and households.
While the grilled cheese sandwich has evolved into different unique forms around the world, the term "grilled cheese" didn't appear in print until the 1960s. Before that, the sandwich was called a "'toasted cheese' or 'melted cheese' sandwich. The delay in the use of the term "grilled cheese" may be due to the fact that, despite its name, the sandwich is rarely prepared through grilling and is most often pan-fried.
In the 1960s, Kraft processed cheese slices became extremely popular, and bagged sliced bread became more uniform and readily available in grocery stores. This may have contributed to the increased use of the term "grilled cheese" during this decade. The grilled cheese sandwich has continued to evolve, with chefs adding their own twists and experimenting with different types of bread, cheese, and additional ingredients.
The grilled cheese sandwich has become a cultural phenomenon, with specialty grilled cheese restaurants cropping up over the years and some unique stories making headlines, such as the sale of a half-eaten grilled cheese sandwich with the image of the Virgin Mary seared into its grill marks on eBay for thousands of dollars. The grilled cheese sandwich remains a classic comfort food that is enjoyed by people of all ages and has become a favourite on menus ranging from local delis to five-star Michelin restaurants.
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The grilled cheese was a staple in America during the Great Depression
The grilled cheese sandwich is a simple yet delicious combination of bread and cheese. Humans have been eating bread and cheese together for centuries, and ancient Roman cookbooks recommended combining the two for a tasty meal. However, the grilled cheese sandwich, as we know it today, became popular in the 1920s. This was due to a few factors: the invention of sliced bread by Otto Frederick Rohwedder, which made bread more affordable and accessible, the development of processed cheese by James L. Kraft, which meant cheese could be transported long distances without spoiling, and the rise in restaurant dining, which made inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese widely available.
By the time the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, grilled cheese sandwiches were a staple in America. They were an inexpensive and nutritious option for people struggling financially. In its earliest form, the grilled cheese was an open-faced sandwich made with grated American cheese and common toppings such as tomatoes, eggs, bacon, and pineapple. It was a filling and cost-effective meal, which could be made quickly and easily by vendors and families alike.
During World War II, the grilled cheese sandwich was a favourite of the Allied Armed Forces, and it soon became a regular fixture in school cafeterias and homes across America. The US government-issued cookbooks that included recipes for "American cheese filling sandwiches", which were essentially grilled cheese sandwiches. After the war, Kraft Foods® developed the first pre-packed sliced cheese, making it even easier and more convenient for people to make grilled cheese sandwiches at home.
Today, grilled cheese sandwiches are still a beloved comfort food for both adults and children, with countless variations available in restaurants and homes worldwide. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of this simple yet satisfying combination of bread and cheese.
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The US Navy served grilled cheese during World War II
The history of the grilled cheese sandwich dates back to ancient times, with ancient Roman cookbooks recommending the combination of bread and cheese. However, the act of cooking bread and cheese together is a more recent phenomenon. During World War II, the US Navy served grilled cheese sandwiches, known as "American cheese filling sandwiches", following instructions from government-issued cookbooks. Navy cooks prepared these sandwiches in the ships' kitchens, and they were typically served open-faced, consisting of a single slice of bread topped with grated cheese. This played a significant role in the rise in popularity of grilled cheese sandwiches during and after the war.
The grilled cheese sandwich became a favourite among the Allied Armed Forces during World War II. Its affordability, convenience, and nutritional value made it accessible to poor Americans in the 1930s and a staple in school cafeterias and households. The use of processed cheese, which had been patented by James L. Kraft before World War I, further contributed to its popularity as it was easy to melt and kept well.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the grilled cheese sandwich continued to evolve, and by 1950, Kraft Foods introduced Kraft Singles—individually wrapped slices of processed cheese. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that the second slice of bread was commonly added to create the modern grilled cheese sandwich. Before this, it was often served open-faced or with just one slice of bread. The term "grilled cheese" also came into use during this decade, replacing the previous names of "toasted cheese" or "melted cheese" sandwiches.
The grilled cheese sandwich has become a classic comfort food, with countless variations and combinations of bread and cheese. It has inspired gourmet food trucks, restaurants, and even creative adaptations, such as the "Grilled Cheeeeeese" sandwich at Everglazed, a doughnut shop at Walt Disney World in Florida, which uses a sliced glazed doughnut instead of bread. The grilled cheese sandwich has undoubtedly earned its place as a beloved and versatile dish.
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Grilled cheese is a comfort food for both kids and adults
The grilled cheese sandwich is a simple yet delicious treat, and its origin story is an interesting one. While the exact origin of the grilled cheese sandwich remains a mystery, it is believed that the concept of pairing bread with cheese goes back centuries, with ancient Roman cookbooks recommending the combination. The French also had their version of the grilled cheese, the "Croque Monsieur", listed on their menus in the early 1900s. However, the actual cooking of bread and cheese together is a more recent phenomenon.
The grilled cheese sandwich became very popular in the 1920s, with the increase in restaurant dining and the invention of the bread slicer by Otto Frederick Rohwedder, which made distributing white bread easy and affordable. Processed cheese, patented by James L. Kraft, also played a role in the rise of the grilled cheese, as it ensured that cheese could be transported long distances without spoiling. During the Great Depression, grilled cheese sandwiches, often in their open-faced form, became a staple in America as they were affordable, convenient, and filling.
During World War II, the grilled cheese sandwich was a favourite among the Allied Armed Forces, and it soon became a regular meal in school cafeterias and homes. Today, grilled cheese is a comfort food enjoyed by both children and adults, with numerous variations available in restaurants and homes, including gourmet options and unique twists created by chefs. It is often paired with a bowl of warm tomato soup, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact origin of grilled cheese is unknown, but it became popular in the 1920s.
Grilled cheese is a hot sandwich made by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread in a pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster until the bread browns and the cheese melts.
In the UK, grilled cheese is known as a toasted cheese sandwich or cheese toastie, while in Australia, it is called a jaffle. In France, it is called a "croque-monsieur," and in India, it is known as a "paneer sandwich."
Grilled cheese became popular due to its affordability and convenience, especially during the Great Depression when people were looking for inexpensive and filling meals. It was also used by the US government during World War II as a cost-effective meal for the military.
Grilled cheese has become a cultural phenomenon, with some people even selling their grilled cheese sandwiches for thousands of dollars on eBay due to unique grill marks. It is also a versatile dish, with specialty grilled cheese restaurants offering sweet and savoury variations.
