National Waffle Day

National Waffle Day:

National Waffle Day is celebrated annually on August 24. The flavour of your favourite dessert is what you should enjoy today.

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Related: Other National Days Celebrated on August 24th

National Peach Pie Day

National Maryland Day

Why National Waffle Day?

Despite the waffle’s discovery being delayed until 1100 BCE, the oldest evidence of its predecessor, a hotcake formed of cereal pulps, comes from the Neolithic Age. In ancient Greece, flat cakes were first baked at this time between two hot metal plates. The wafer-shaped pancakes, sometimes called obleios, were frequently served with savoury cheeses and herbs.

As bakers developed a variety of unleavened cakes at this time, waffles continued to expand. After being fried between two hot irons to give them a texture like honeycomb, these cakes eventually evolved into waffles in the 13th century. They were subsequently given the name wafla, which is an Old French term that means “honeybee hive.” Waffles would be the equivalent to wafla in English.

The day is thought to have begun as Vffeldagen in Sweden. Waffles are consumed in honour of this day, which typically heralds the start of spring. The precursor of waffles was created in ancient Greece by roasting flat cakes between two heated metal plates that were linked to long wooden handles and set in an oven or over an open flame. Waffles were being made by the Dutch in Holland in the 15th century on rectangular plates with grid designs.

Since it allowed the batter to cook more quickly and uniformly than a flat cake might, the grid pattern was probably developed for practical reasons. Waffles may have been sweetened with honey at the time, but as sugar was not as readily available, they were probably not as sweet as they are now.

Due to Dutch influence, the waffle idea probably made its way to the New World in the early 1600s. The languages of the Dutch (wafel), French (walfre), and Franks are thought to share linguistic roots with waffle (wafla). The term first appeared in print in English in a cookbook around the beginning of the 18th century.

Interesting facts about National Waffle Day:  

• Waffles haven’t been around for a while. The earliest known waffle recipe is found in a book titled Le Ménagier de Paris, which was authored by an unidentified Frenchman for his young bride. The author describes his own waffle recipe and even alludes to a “iron” in it, which leads historians to conclude that waffle irons were invented in the 13th or 14th centuries.
• Everywhere in the world, waffles are prepared with local ingredients. The most popular types include American, Belgian, Scandinavian, and Hong Kong.
• Having consumed 29 waffles in a 10-minute period, Patrick Bertoletti currently holds the record for this feat.
• The Old German term “wefan,” which means to weave, is where the name “waffle” comes from. “To waffle” is a vague verb.
• Possibly the most well-known waffle franchise in the US is Waffle House. Since it initially opened its doors more than 60 years ago, it has served more than 877 waffles.
• In order to prevent batter from spilling over, waffle batter was first prepared in Western Europe during the Middle Ages by pouring it between two metal plates with a grid design.
• Waffles served as the inspiration for the soles of the earliest Nike sneakers. Bill Bowerman first noticed the honeycomb shape of waffles in 1971 while watching his wife prepare them in their waffle iron. It would make the perfect sole for a pair of sneakers, he realised.
• Belgian waffles were invented in 1839 and were first referred to as “Brussels” waffles.
• The first waffles arrived in America with the Pilgrims.
• Stitching Gouda Oogst in the Netherlands created the eight-foot-long, 110-pound world record-holder for the biggest waffle ever in 2013.
• August 24 is recognised as National Waffle Day because it was on this day in 1869 that Cornelius Swarthout received the first American patent for the waffle iron.
• The largest waffle ever measured 8 feet, 1.24 inches in diameter and weighed 110 pounds. The Netherlands produced it.
• The first waffle machine was formally patented in 1869, and today is National Waffle Day to honour that event. Cornelius Swarthout submitted the patent request.
• The earliest known waffle recipe was found in a manuscript from the 14th century that was written by an unknown author. Waffles have been around since the middle ages.

How Can We Observe National Waffle Day:

• Throw a waffle party

Together with your family and friends, plan a waffle party. Because there are so many topping choices, everyone may try out new flavours or stick to their tried-and-true favourites, like plain old maple syrup. Make alternatives like stroopwafel or a Hong Kong Egg Waffle if you want to stray from the traditional American waffle recipe.

• Go to a nearby restaurant

Enjoy making the waffles you enjoy. Visit a restaurant nearby for freshly prepared waffles. Waffles are a national delicacy served with every meal of the day. Whatever your preferences, there’s a waffle for you!

• Prepare waffles at home.

Making waffles is a very straightforward kitchen task, provided a waffle iron is available. Recipes for waffles often require for flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract, which are the most basic ingredients. Of course, a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg added to the batter is something some people prefer to use to step things up a notch

History Of National Waffle Day:  

In honour of Cornelius Swarthout, a New Yorker who first patented the waffle iron on August 24, 1869, National Waffle Day is honoured on that date every year. Making waffles became faster and simpler thanks to this technology. In the United States, supermarkets began to carry Eggo frozen waffles in 1953.

Due to the fact that a waffle iron was not required to make them, they soon gained popularity. The tagline “L’eggo my Eggo” became well-known throughout the nation in the 1970s after Kellogg’s eventually purchased the business.

In 1964, after being introduced at the New York World’s Fair, the Belgian waffle became well-known in the United States. When the family selling them at the World Fair started calling them Belgian Waffles, interest in the treat began to increase. At first, it was advertised as the Brussels Waffle, which did not pique American consumers’ interests.

In addition to being served plain, waffles at the World’s Fair may also be had with strawberries and whipped cream. The majority of nations have established their own methods for making and serving waffles because they are so adored worldwide!