National Waffle Day in the United States (24/08)

On August 24 in America, sweet lovers celebrate National Waffle Day. However, there are two whole holidays in honor of this dessert: in addition to the American one, there is also International Waffle Day, celebrated on March 25.

What is the difference between an American delicacy? These — waffles are not the crispy records that residents of European countries are accustomed to, but small « pancakes», which are cooked in a special double frying pan (waffle iron) and which have a pronounced «» pattern in the form of honeycombs. They are baked from a special dough made with slaked soda, while recipes from other countries use yeast-based dough.

American waffles differ from their foreign «sisters» in appearance: they are thin and square in shape. The date of the holiday is connected precisely with the shape of the waffles (or rather, with a square device for making them). On August 24, 1869, Cornelius Swarthout, a resident of Troy (New York), received the country's first patent for a special frying pan for baking waffles. It consisted of two parts (bottom and lid). The frying pan had to be turned over so that the waffles were baked evenly.

Waffle irons were used before — in the mid-19th century. Thomas Jefferson brought a special frying pan from Europe. However, with the introduction of the American waffle iron, the product grew in popularity, and over time waffles came to be considered a traditional dish. There is even a chain of restaurants in America called «Waffle House »; the first of them opened in 1955.

The invention of electricity made it possible to create improved waffle irons. The first electric waffle iron appeared in 1911.

Waffle iron (Photo: Venus Angel, licensed from Shutterstock.com)

But the waffle ice cream cone was invented even earlier than — in 1904. At a fair in St. Louis, an ice cream seller ran out of paper cups, and a resourceful guy asked a nearby waffle seller for help. The waffle iron baked thin waffles and rolled them up in the form of a cone, where the ice cream maker applied ice cream.

According to one version, in 1971, Nike co-founder William Jay "Bill" Bowerman (1911—1999) used his wife's waffle iron to experiment with rubber running shoe soles. As a result, the waffle iron was hopelessly ruined, and Nike patented exceptionally lightweight and comfortable running shoes. This event began the success story of the company and the sneakers of the same name.

So Americans, congratulating each other on the holiday of morning waffles, have many reasons to celebrate this day.

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