Patrick Oconnell
Mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack, with their gooey, fried cheese and crispy, golden breading. They are often served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, and can be found on the menu of almost every restaurant, from burger joints to gyro spots. But who invented this delicious treat? The answer may surprise you – while many people assume that mozzarella sticks are of Italian origin, they actually have a much more interesting history, dating back to 14th-century France and making their way to America in the 20th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Frank Baker, a Wisconsin cheesemaker |
| Place of origin | France |
| Date of origin | 14th century |
| Original name | Pipefarce |
| Original cheese | Muenster |
| Original recipe | Coated in egg yolks, flour, salt, and wine |
| Modern recipe | Coated in breadcrumbs |
| Variations | Baked, fried, with various dipping sauces |
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What You'll Learn
- Frank Baker, a Wisconsin cheesemaker, is credited with creating the snack-sized mozzarella cheese stick in the 1970s
- The earliest reference to fried cheese sticks can be found in a 14th-century French publication, Le Ménagier de Paris
- The original recipe, called pipefarce, used a batter made with egg yolks, flour, salt, and wine to coat the cheese
- The popularity of mozzarella sticks in the US is linked to the rise of Italian-American cuisine and the availability of mozzarella cheese in the 1970s
- John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks, developed in 1976, are made from layers of real aged cheeses, sourdough, and seasonings, and are baked twice
Frank Baker, a Wisconsin cheesemaker, is credited with creating the snack-sized mozzarella cheese stick in the 1970s
Although mozzarella sticks are often associated with Italian food, the popular snack actually originated in France. The first mention of what would become mozzarella sticks was in a 14th-century French publication called "Le Ménagier de Paris". This guidebook for women included a recipe for a dish called pipefarce, which involved coating thin slices of cheese in a batter made from egg yolks, flour, salt, and wine before frying them in an iron skillet. However, the sticks we eat today in the 21st century are more closely associated with Italian food due to the use of mozzarella cheese.
In the 1970s, mozzarella sticks began to appear on the menus of various restaurants, particularly American pizza joints. The growing popularity of pizza in the United States, along with the increasing availability of mozzarella cheese and easier frying methods, likely contributed to the rise of mozzarella sticks as a beloved appetizer.
During this time, Frank Baker, a Wisconsin cheesemaker, is credited with creating the snack-sized mozzarella cheese stick. Baker combined the Wisconsinite love for snacking on cheese with business acumen. As mozzarella cheese was gaining popularity and becoming more accessible in the restaurant and grocery supply chains, Baker began selling mozzarella in string form, and it quickly took off.
While the exact details of how mozzarella sticks became a menu staple are unclear, their popularity may be attributed to the combination of indulgent, gooey cheese and the convenience of snack-sized portions. Baker's innovation in the 1970s played a pivotal role in the widespread enjoyment of mozzarella sticks today.
The Ancient History of Mozzarella Cheese
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The earliest reference to fried cheese sticks can be found in a 14th-century French publication, Le Ménagier de Paris
Fried cheese sticks, or mozzarella sticks, are a beloved snack for many. But who came up with the idea of frying cheese? The earliest reference to fried cheese sticks can be found in a 14th-century French publication, Le Ménagier de Paris. This medieval cookbook, written in 1393, includes a recipe for breading thin slices of cheese and frying them. The recipe, called "pipefarce", is believed to be the original mozzarella stick.
Le Ménagier de Paris, or The Parisian Household, is a guide for women, covering various topics such as maintaining a youthful appearance and cooking appetisers. Interestingly, it is written from the fictional perspective of an elderly man advising his younger wife on how to please him. The relevant excerpt instructs:
> "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."
Despite this early reference to fried cheese sticks, food historians argue that the medieval French preparation and development of this dish differ from the modern mozzarella sticks we know today. Instead, they attribute the creation of mozzarella sticks to a combination of two factors: the increasing availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese in the 1960s and the development of new, efficient frying technologies in the 1970s.
The popularity of mozzarella sticks exploded 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. Today, mozzarella sticks are a staple of American cuisine, often served as a crunchy, gooey, and indulgent snack.
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The original recipe, called pipefarce, used a batter made with egg yolks, flour, salt, and wine to coat the cheese
The history of mozzarella sticks is a scattered one, but it can be traced back to a 14th-century Medieval French cookbook, "Le Ménagier de Paris", which contains the first documented mention of breaded fried cheese. The original recipe, called pipefarce, used a batter made with egg yolks, flour, salt, and wine to coat the cheese. After coating the cheese slices in batter, they were fried in an iron skillet.
While the French may have invented the concept of fried cheese, the mozzarella sticks we know today can be attributed to the Italian-Americans. In the 1970s, mozzarella cheese gained popularity and made its way into restaurant and grocery store supply chains. It was during this time that Wisconsin cheesemaker Frank Baker began selling mozzarella cut into slices and sticks, which took off as a snack.
The exact reason why mozzarella sticks became a staple at American restaurants and bars is unclear, but their popularity likely stems from the widespread availability of mozzarella cheese and the growing trend of American pizza joints in the 1970s. The rise of casual dining chains like T.G.I. Fridays, Bennigan's, and Applebee's in the 1980s further contributed to their mainstream appeal.
Today, mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack, found on menus across the country, from local burger joints to gyro spots. They are often served with a variety of dipping sauces, including tomato or marinara sauce, plum sauce, jalapeño jelly, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce, and ranch dressing.
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The popularity of mozzarella sticks in the US is linked to the rise of Italian-American cuisine and the availability of mozzarella cheese in the 1970s
The popularity of mozzarella sticks in the US is a fascinating culinary tale, with roots stretching back to the 14th century. While the concept of frying cheese is not unique to the United States, the specific popularity of mozzarella sticks can be linked to the rise of Italian-American cuisine and the availability of mozzarella cheese in the 1970s.
The history of frying cheese can be traced back to medieval France, with records dating as far back as 1393. The French technique involved breading thin slices of cheese and frying them, a practice that may bear more resemblance to modern-day mozzarella sticks than any Italian frying methods. However, it is worth noting that the idea of battering and deep-frying cheese has been a part of mainland European cuisine for centuries.
The rise of mozzarella sticks in the US can be attributed to a combination of factors in the 1970s. Firstly, the increasing availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese, thanks to cheesemakers like Frank Baker, who began selling mozzarella sticks and slices in the 1960s and 1970s, played a crucial role. This coincided with the development of new, efficient frying technologies, making it easier and cheaper to fry foods, which led to the growth of fast-food joints and encouraged smaller kitchens to embrace deep fryers.
The growing popularity of Italian-American cuisine in the US also contributed to the rise of mozzarella sticks. Pizza, which had become increasingly popular in the second half of the 20th century, paved the way for mozzarella sticks by introducing Americans to the Italian cheese. Italian pizza shops further embraced mozzarella sticks as a commodity, adding them to their menus alongside other fried foods.
The simplicity and consistency of mozzarella sticks have contributed to their enduring appeal. They are indulgent yet straightforward to prepare, making them a popular choice for restaurants, bars, and home cooks alike. While the exact origins of the mozzarella stick may be difficult to pinpoint, its popularity in the US is undoubtedly linked to the perfect combination of cultural and culinary factors in the 1970s.
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John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks, developed in 1976, are made from layers of real aged cheeses, sourdough, and seasonings, and are baked twice
John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks have been a hit with fans since their debut in 1976. They are crafted from layers of carefully selected, aged cheeses, sourdough, and seasonings, and then twice-baked to achieve the ideal level of crunch. This distinctive snack was developed by John Wm. Macy for his small catering company, and it stands out from other cheese snacks due to its unique composition and baking method.
The history of cheese sticks, in general, is intriguing and spans several centuries. The concept of breading and frying cheese is not new, with recipes dating back to medieval times. For instance, the 14th-century French publication "Le Ménagier de Paris" includes a recipe for pipefarce, a dish similar to modern cheese sticks but using Muenster cheese instead of mozzarella.
In the 1960s and 1970s, mozzarella cheese gained popularity and became widely available in restaurants and grocery stores. During this time, Frank Baker, a Wisconsin cheesemaker, began selling mozzarella in snack-sized pieces, known as string cheese. The growing popularity of American pizza joints in the late 1970s further contributed to the rise of mozzarella sticks, as pizza restaurants sought to utilise the abundant ingredients already in their kitchens.
While the exact path that led mozzarella sticks to become a staple in American eateries and bars remains unclear, their widespread appeal is undeniable. John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks, in particular, have carved out a unique place in the market by offering a premium product that stands out from the typical fried cheese stick. By utilising a blend of aged cheeses, sourdough, and seasonings, and baking them twice, John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks deliver a crunchy, flavourful experience that has garnered a loyal following.
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Frequently asked questions
The first mention of cheese sticks can be traced back to Paris, France, in the 14th century. A recipe for a breaded cheese sticks dish called pipefarce can be found in the "Le Menagier de Paris" cookbook. However, the recipe called for the use of muenster cheese instead of mozzarella.
The popularity of mozzarella sticks likely grew in the 1970s due to the availability of mozzarella cheese and easier frying methods. It was in the '70s that Wisconsin cheesemaker Frank Baker began to make and sell mozzarella cheese that was cut into slices or sticks.
Although mozzarella sticks are often associated with Italy, they are not a traditional Italian dish. They are, however, usually served in Italian-American restaurants.
Cheese sticks can be baked or fried in oil. They are often served with tomato sauce or marinara sauce but may also be served with other dipping sauces such as plum sauce, jalapeño jelly, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce, and ranch dressing.
