Frederic Melton
The grilled cheese sandwich is a popular comfort food that has been enjoyed for many years. While the exact origin of the grilled cheese sandwich remains a mystery, it is believed to have originated in the United States during the 1920s, when inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese became readily available. The sandwich became very popular during the Great Depression as it was a cost-effective meal option. During World War II, the grilled cheese sandwich was a favourite among the Allied Armed Forces, and it soon became a regular part of school cafeterias and household meals. Today, grilled cheese sandwiches are found on menus worldwide, with restaurants and food trucks specialising in this classic dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of origin | The exact origin of grilled cheese sandwiches is unknown, but they became popular in the 1920s |
| Origin country | The grilled cheese sandwich is thought to have originated in the United States |
| Ancient recipes | Ancient Roman cookbooks advised combining bread and cheese |
| Ancient recipes | The French have been making their famous croque monsieurs since the early 1900s |
| Ancient recipes | In 1902, a recipe for "melted cheese" appeared in Sarah Tyson Rorer's "Mrs. Rorer's New Cook Book" |
| Ancient recipes | A 1929 recipe in Florence A. Cowles' "Seven Hundred Sandwiches" called for ingredients to be broiled to make "Toasted Cheese" |
| Ancient recipes | "The Boston Cooking School Cook Book" (1939) included a recipe for a "Toasted Sandwich" |
| Ancient recipes | "The Joy of Cooking" (1953) included a recipe for heating bread and cheese in a waffle iron |
| World War II | Navy cooks prepared "American cheese filling sandwiches" as instructed by government-issued cookbooks |
| Post-World War II | Kraft Foods introduced the first pre-packed sliced cheese |
| 1960s | The term "grilled cheese" first appeared in print |
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What You'll Learn
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 popular comfort food are not entirely clear. The broad answer is that grilled cheese has ancient roots, with the first bread and cheese being invented around 8000 BC. Ancient Roman cookbooks advised eating bread and cheese together, and French cookbooks from the early 1900s included the famous "Croque Monsieur", a toasted bread, melted cheese, and ham sandwich.
In 1861, an English recipe book, "Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management", included a recipe for brown bread and butter with slices of "a nice fat Cheshire or any good rich cheese" placed in an oven and served when toasted. This could be considered an early version of the modern grilled cheese sandwich.
In the 1920s, the grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today began to take shape. This was a time when inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese were readily available to the public. The huge increase in restaurant dining during this decade further contributed to the popularity of grilled cheese sandwiches. By the time the Great Depression struck in the 1930s, these sandwiches had become a staple in the American diet, providing a cost-effective and nutritious meal option for those struggling financially.
During World War II, grilled cheese sandwiches were a favorite among the Allied Armed Forces, and they soon became a regular part of school cafeterias and household meals. The term grilled cheese first appeared in print in the 1960s, but before that, these sandwiches were known as toasted cheese or melted cheese sandwiches. The addition of a second slice of bread to create a closed sandwich also occurred around this time, transforming the open-faced sandwiches of the 1940s and 1950s into the modern grilled cheese sandwich we know today.
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The 1920s: when grilled cheese took off
Although the idea of putting bread and cheese together has been around since ancient times, with ancient Roman cookbooks advising the same, the grilled cheese sandwich we know today is thought to have originated in the United States during the 1920s. This was when the grilled cheese sandwich is said to have really taken off.
In 1927, Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the bread slicer, which made distributing white bread easy, affordable, and convenient. This was also around the time when processed cheese had been patented and was gaining popularity, becoming readily available to the people.
With the huge increase in restaurant dining in the 1920s, inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese acted as a catalyst for public consumption of grilled cheese. By the time the Great Depression struck, grilled cheese sandwiches were a staple of the American diet. During the Great Depression, people needed to survive on cost-effective food, and grilled cheese sandwiches, known as "toasted cheese", fit the bill. These were often open-faced sandwiches with grated cheese on one slice of bread, but eventually, another slice of bread was added on top to make the meal more filling.
The grilled cheese sandwich was also a particular favourite of the Allied Armed Forces during World War II. Government-issued cookbooks instructed Navy cooks to prepare "American cheese filling sandwiches" in ships' kitchens.
It is worth noting that the actual term "grilled cheese" didn't make an appearance in print until the 1960s. Before that, they were referred to as "toasted cheese" or "melted cheese" sandwiches.
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Grilled cheese during the Great Depression
The grilled cheese sandwich, a staple in many households, has a rich history and a humble origin. The popularity of the grilled cheese sandwich grew rapidly during the Great Depression, when people were struggling to make ends meet and had limited resources. It was during this time that the grilled cheese sandwich, a cheap and easy meal, became a staple food in many households.
The grilled cheese sandwich, also known as a toasted cheese sandwich, cheese toastie, or jaffle, is a hot cheese sandwich 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. The sandwich is typically cooked until the bread is browned and the cheese is melted. While the concept of combining bread and cheese is not new and can be traced back to ancient times, the grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today evolved during the Great Depression.
During the early 1900s, the "'cheese dream,' an open-faced grilled cheese sandwich, became popular in the United States. This savory dish combined cheese and mustard with buttery, griddled bread. As the recipe caught on due to its affordability and accessibility, people began adding other ingredients such as bacon, cayenne, eggs, ham, mayonnaise, and tomato sauce. The invention of processed cheese, such as Kraft American cheese, which kept well, melted easily, and fit perfectly onto square bread, further contributed to the popularity of grilled cheese sandwiches.
In the 1930s, the grilled cheese sandwich gained even more popularity with the invention of the automatic toaster, which made it easier to toast bread evenly on both sides, resulting in a more consistent and tasty sandwich. The grilled cheese sandwich provided a cost-effective and filling meal for people during the challenging economic times of the Great Depression. It is important to note that the term "grilled cheese" did not come into common usage until the 1960s; before that, these sandwiches were referred to as "toasted cheese" or "melted cheese" sandwiches.
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World War II and the American Navy
While the grilled cheese sandwich is a simple combination of bread and cheese, no one really knows who invented it or when. However, we can trace its origins to some extent by examining historical events. For example, during World War II, the US government issued cookbooks promoting grilled cheese sandwiches as a cost-effective meal for the military. The recipe, known as the "American Cheese Filling Sandwich", was included in government-issued cookbooks for the US Navy, and it consisted of grated cheese on a single slice of bread.
The grilled cheese sandwich, or "toasted cheese" as it was called at the time, gained popularity during World War II due to its affordability and the availability of its ingredients. The US military had already purchased processed cheese in cans from Kraft Foods during World War I, and this continued into World War II. The British government also encouraged its citizens to eat more cheese during the war, as the conflict had disrupted the country's food supply.
Navy cooks prepared countless "American Cheese Filling Sandwiches" in ships' kitchens, and these sandwiches became a staple for both lunch and dinner. The grilled cheese sandwich provided a quick, easy, and filling option for Navy personnel during the war.
After World War II, Kraft Foods developed the first pre-packed sliced cheese, which made it even more convenient to make grilled cheese sandwiches. It was also around this time that the second slice of bread was added to the sandwich, making it more filling and creating the modern notion of a grilled cheese sandwich.
While the grilled cheese sandwich may have originated from the combination of bread and cheese, it was World War II and the American Navy's adoption of the "American Cheese Filling Sandwich" that helped popularize it and solidify its place in American culinary history.
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Grilled cheese today
The grilled cheese sandwich is a staple in restaurants and homes across the world. It is a simple dish—made with just bread and cheese—but its popularity has endured. The grilled cheese has been a source of comfort for many, especially during the Great Depression and World War II.
Today, the grilled cheese sandwich is a versatile dish. It can be made with a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, jack cheese, or fontina, and can be paired with various toppings, such as tomatoes, eggs, pineapple, or bacon. It can be cooked in a frying pan, griddle, sandwich toaster, or even a waffle iron. The options are endless, and people continue to experiment with different ingredients and cooking methods to create their perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
The grilled cheese sandwich has also become a competitive sport, with events like the National Grilled Cheese Invitational, the Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship, and the Atlanta Grilled Cheese Festival celebrating this beloved dish. In 2006, American competitive eater Joey Chestnut won the World Green Chile Grilled Cheese Eating Champion by devouring 34.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in one sitting!
Grilled cheese sandwiches have also made their way into popular culture. In the 1993 film "Benny & Joon", Johnny Depp's character cooks a stack of grilled cheese sandwiches using a clothes iron. In 2004, a half-eaten grilled cheese sandwich with the likeness of the Virgin Mary sold for $28,000 on eBay.
The grilled cheese sandwich has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and it continues to be a favourite among people of all ages. It is a testament to the power of combining simple, affordable ingredients to create a delicious and comforting meal.
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Frequently asked questions
The grilled cheese sandwich is thought to have originated in the United States during the 1920s.
A grilled cheese sandwich is made by placing a cheese filling, often cheddar or American cheese, between two slices of bread, which is then put on a pan to heat until the bread browns and the cheese melts.
During the Great Depression, people needed to survive off of cost-effective food, and the grilled cheese sandwich was a popular option. It was also a favourite of the Allied Armed Forces during World War II.
Some alternatives include adding ingredients such as peppers, tomatoes, onions, pineapple, eggs, or bacon.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are also known as toasted cheese sandwiches, cheese toasties (in the UK), or jaffles (in Australia). In France, they are known as croque monsieurs.
