Andy Montoya
The grilled cheese sandwich is a beloved comfort food for many, but its origins are a mystery. While the exact origin of the grilled cheese sandwich remains unknown, it is believed to have gained popularity in the 1920s, with the invention of sliced bread and processed cheese. The sandwich became a staple for poor Americans during the Great Depression, as it was inexpensive and provided enough nutrition to keep people going. During World War II, the grilled cheese was a favourite among the Allied Armed Forces, and it soon became a regular meal in school cafeterias and homes.
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What You'll Learn
The grilled cheese's ancient roots
The grilled cheese sandwich is a simple yet delicious combination of bread and cheese. However, despite its apparent simplicity, the origins of this dish remain a mystery. While it is widely believed that the grilled cheese sandwich came about in the 1920s, the pairing of bread and cheese can be traced back to ancient times.
Ancient Roman texts describe recipes similar to the modern grilled cheese sandwich, recommending the combination of bread and cheese for meals. In the sixth century, the Greek physician Anthimus warned against "roasted" cheese, which presumably involved cooking cheese onto something, unless it was solid. In the fourteenth century, a man in a Paris tavern was arrested for not paying for his meal of cheese and bread, which he prepared by melting the cheese in a cup and dipping the bread into it—an early version of fondue.
In the early 1900s, French cookbooks featured the Croque Monsieur, an open-faced sandwich with ham, toasted bread, and melted cheese. The British version of this sandwich typically includes cheddar cheese and a sweet, vinegary pickle chutney. The cheese dream, another open-faced grilled cheese sandwich, became popular in the US during the Great Depression. During this time of economic hardship, people needed inexpensive food options, and the grilled cheese sandwich, made with affordable ingredients like processed cheese and sliced bread, became a staple in the American diet.
During World War II, Navy cooks prepared thousands of "American cheese filling sandwiches", as instructed by government-issued cookbooks. These sandwiches 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, resulting in the modern grilled cheese sandwich. The term "grilled cheese" didn't appear in print until the 1960s, with earlier references using terms like "toasted cheese" or "melted cheese" sandwiches.
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The 1920s: when grilled cheese took off
The exact origin of the grilled cheese sandwich remains a mystery. However, it is speculated that the sandwich was popularised in the 1920s, with the invention of sliced bread and the introduction of processed cheese.
In 1927, Otto Frederick Rohwedder, often regarded as the "father of sliced bread", invented a bread slicer that made distributing white bread easy and affordable. This invention revolutionised the culinary industry, making the process of preparing sandwiches faster and more convenient. Before this, in 1914, James L. Kraft, an entrepreneur, patented a pasteurizing process for cheese, ensuring that it remained fresh even during long-distance transportation. By 1916, Kraft had introduced processed cheese to the market, and the J.L. Kraft & Bros. Company (later known as Kraft Foods) opened its first plant in Illinois.
The combination of these two innovations—sliced bread and processed cheese—created the perfect conditions for the grilled cheese sandwich to take off. With the increasing popularity of restaurants and dining out in the 1920s, inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese became readily available to the public. The grilled cheese sandwich, a simple yet comforting combination of melted cheese between slices of bread, quickly became a popular choice for both commercial eateries and home cooks.
While the grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today may have gained traction in the 1920s, its roots go back much further. The concept of combining bread and cheese has a long history, with ancient Roman cookbooks recommending the pairing for meals. Similarly, French and Dutch cookbooks from the early 1900s featured the Croque Monsieur, an open-faced sandwich with ham, toasted bread, and melted cheese.
By the time the Great Depression struck in the 1930s, the grilled cheese sandwich had become a staple in the American diet. Its affordability and nutritional value made it a go-to option for those struggling financially. During World War II, the grilled cheese sandwich was a favourite among the Allied Armed Forces, and it soon became a regular fixture in school cafeterias and home kitchens.
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The Great Depression staple
The grilled cheese sandwich, a staple during the Great Depression, was born out of necessity and affordability. While the exact origin of the grilled cheese sandwich remains unknown, it is speculated that the dish was popularised during the 1920s, a decade before the Great Depression. This timing coincided with the introduction of sliced bread by Otto Frederick Rohwedder in 1927 and the availability of processed cheese, with Kraft introducing its version in 1916.
The grilled cheese sandwich, also known as a "toasted cheese" or "cheese dream" sandwich, became a go-to meal for many Americans during the economic hardship of the 1930s. It was an inexpensive and nutritious option, providing enough sustenance to get people through difficult times. The open-faced version, with grated American cheese on a single slice of bread, was a common form of the sandwich during this period.
The grilled cheese sandwich's popularity continued to grow during World War II, when it was a favourite among the Allied Armed Forces. Navy cooks, following government cookbooks, prepared thousands of "American cheese filling sandwiches" during this time. The grilled cheese sandwich's versatility, simplicity, and affordability solidified its place in the American diet, with school cafeterias and housewives incorporating it into their meal plans.
The grilled cheese sandwich has evolved over time, with innovations in bread and cheese production, as well as the addition of various toppings and fillings. By the 1940s and 1950s, the sandwich typically consisted of grated cheese on a single slice of bread, served open-faced. Eventually, a second slice of bread was added to make the meal more filling, resulting in the modern notion of a grilled cheese sandwich.
Despite the many variations and gourmet interpretations available today, the grilled cheese sandwich remains a classic comfort food, enjoyed by both children and adults alike.
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World War II and the US Navy
The history of grilled cheese sandwiches can be traced back to the early 1900s, with the French serving "Croque Monsieur" in the early 1900s. The dish consisted of toasted bread, melted cheese, and ham. However, the modern notion of grilled cheese sandwiches is commonly associated with the 1920s, when sliced bread became widely available due to the invention of the bread slicer by Otto Frederick Rohwedder. This made bread more affordable and accessible, contributing to the rise in popularity of grilled cheese sandwiches.
During World War II, the grilled cheese sandwich became a staple for the US Navy and the Allied Armed Forces. Navy cooks, following government-issued cookbooks, prepared countless "American cheese filling sandwiches" in their ships' kitchens. These sandwiches were typically served open-faced, consisting of a single slice of bread topped with grated cheese. The use of grated cheese ensured that the sandwiches could be efficiently prepared in bulk, providing a nutritious and filling meal for the troops.
The grilled cheese sandwich played a significant role in the diets of Americans during World War II and the post-war period. In the 1940s and early 1950s, open-faced grilled cheese sandwiches continued to be a popular and affordable option for Americans. The addition of a second slice of bread, which likely occurred around the late 1950s, transformed the sandwich into the more familiar form we know today.
The term "grilled cheese" didn't appear in print until the 1960s. Before that, these sandwiches were referred to as "toasted cheese" or "melted cheese" sandwiches. The convenience and affordability of grilled cheese sandwiches, along with the growing popularity of processed cheese and sliced bread, solidified their place in American cuisine.
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The first printed grilled cheese
Although the exact origin of grilled cheese remains a mystery, it is believed that the sandwich became popular in the 1920s. This was when sliced bread was invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder, making it easy and affordable. Shortly before that, in 1914, James L. Kraft patented processed cheese. These two factors acted as a catalyst for public consumption of grilled cheese.
During the Great Depression, people needed to survive off of cost-effective food, and that's when the grilled cheese really took off. It was called the “toasted cheese”, and people began eating these open-faced sandwiches, before eventually adding another slice of bread on top to make the meal more filling.
The term "grilled cheese" didn’t make an appearance in print until the 1960s. Before that, it was always referred to as "toasted cheese" or "melted cheese" sandwiches. In 1953, Irma S. Rombauer wrote in "The Joy of Cooking" that bread and cheese should be heated in a commercial waffle iron.
The grilled cheese sandwich was a particular favourite of the Allied Armed Forces during World War II. It was also mentioned in government-issued cookbooks, where Navy cooks were instructed to make "American cheese filling sandwiches".
Thus, the grilled cheese sandwich was born out of a combination of historical events and innovations, becoming a staple of the American diet and a recognised comfort food worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact origin of grilled cheese is unknown, but it is believed to have become popular in the 1920s. Some sources claim that the first grilled cheese sandwiches were made in the early 1900s, while others suggest that the concept of cooking bread with cheese has been around for centuries, with ancient Roman cookbooks advising the combination of the two.
The traditional British grilled cheese sandwich, also known as a "cheese toastie", is made with cheddar cheese and a sweet, vinegary pickle chutney.
Grilled cheese became popular in the US during the Great Depression when people needed inexpensive food options. The sandwiches were made with processed cheese, which had been introduced in 1916, and sliced bread, which became widely available in the 1920s.
