Fun Food Facts-1

Posted on December 20, 2011 by admin

We all have our favorite foods.  Most of the time, we don’t even think about how it even got to the local market, if it is health, let alone where/when it came to be.  We just know what we like; and, it sure tastes good.  But, just in case you are the curious sort and have ever wondered, here are some fun food facts to tantalize your taste buds.

French Fries

Naturally, when you think of French fries, you assume that this most common of fast food wonders was invented by the French.  But, you might be wrong about that fact.

The debate is still raging about which country can take the claim to fame, when it comes to this French fried potato.  Although the French will adamantly state that the dish is aptly named, the Belgians might take exception.  According to their historical recollections, Belgians claim the French fry fist became popular in the 1700’s, when all of the rivers froze over in the area of Wallonie. Since fried fish was the main source of their nutrition, the people had to come up with something different; so, they turned to the potato.

Naturally, there is no way a potato can even come close to tasting like friend fish.  But, according to the Belgians, their ancestors gave it a good try.  Because they really liked their fried foods, it’s believed the potatoes were originally cut into shapes that loosely resembled little fish, and then deep fried.

Of course, the French still believe they were responsible for this tasty discovery, during the same period of time in history.

The Hamburger

Of course, what is a great French fry without a hamburger to chase it down? But, as you are biting into that meat patty with pickles, ketchup, mustard, onions, cheese, have you ever wonder where this popular fast food got its start?

If you want, you can decide it started with the Mongols.  Always on the move, it’s said these warrior didn’t even stop for a meal.  To avoid slowing down to eat, the warriors had people sharing carts with animals ready for the butcher’s knife.  After the meat was cut into pieces by the mobile servants, it was tenderized by placing it under the saddles of the riders.  When it was time to eat, the rider simply grabbed the softened meat and ate it raw.

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Fun Food Facts-2

Posted on November 19, 2011 by admin

Others believe the first hamburger was invented in New Haven, Connecticut.  Supposedly, a customer needed a lunch to go.  So, the cook made a meat patty and stuck it between two slices of bread. Of course, if you come from Wisconsin, you will want to believe that a kid named Charlie decided to smash a meatball between two slices of bread and called it a hamburger. In 1885, the same year that Wisconsins claim the hamburger was invented, faithful New Yorkers believe that two brothers created this favorite food.

So, depending on where your loyalties lie, you can decide what you believe are the origins of the hamburger; or, you might just be glad someone thought of a great idea.

Pizza

Pizza has got to be one of the most popular foods. In one pie, diners can potentially eat something from all of the major food groups, depending on the toppings. Of course, that is one of the reasons why pizza is so yummy. You can top it with whatever you desire, in order to make it extra tasty.  But, have you ever considered who might have had the very first pizza pie?

If you really want to get technical, the first pizza pie is probably as old as man himself. In the beginning, cooks would make a batch of unleavened bread.  Then, they would flatten it out and add toppings, before baking it.  Like the pizza of today, the ingredients depended on personal tastes.

Okay.  If you are not one to let go of lifelong notions easily, the first pizzas, as we know them today, probably originated in Italy. In the first century B.C., someone named Virgil wrote down his pizza recipe before he died.  Calzones and other wonderful pizza creations have a strong history in Italy.

Regardless of where we live, or the origins, everyone has a favorite food.  But, there are some foods that are more common favorites than others.  Today, convenience seems to be the biggest deciding factor.  Fast foods or delivery items are really popular. But, long before there were drive-thru restaurants or home delivery, those favorite foods started in someone’s home.  Somebody had a great idea that eventually became such a tasty treat that it was passed down from one generation to another.  The history may even have been lost over time; but, the legacy lives on, and it sure tastes good!

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Fun Historical Facts-2

Posted on November 18, 2011 by admin

In school, you may not have been a history buff.  After all, it meant memorizing a lot of names and dates you would not likely remember after school was out.  Unless you became a history teacher yourself, you might not see in real purpose in knowing all of these historical facts.  However, you might change your mind about history, just a bit, after you learn a few fun facts that are simply amusing and interesting.  For example:

Did you know . . .

Duct tape was first invented for the Army during World War II.  It was created to solve the problem of protecting ammunition from getting wet, and subsequently not being of any use when needed.  The taped worked.  It kept the ammunition free of moisture.

Although it only came in kelly green at the time, the tape was actually called duck tape, in the beginning, because moisture rolled off of the surface, much like water rolls off the back of a duck.  However, the army soon found some more great uses for this awesomely versatile and strong tape.

It wasn’t long before they discovered that this very strong substance was also great for temporarily fixing mechanical problems with jeeps, until they could get back to base.  Probably the most amazing fact about duct tape is the fact that it might be responsible for saving lives out in the field.  After being wounded, soldiers sometimes used duct tape to bind the injured, until they could get them to proper medical care.

Now you know that duct tape is even more versatile than even you imagined.  So, next time you use it to fix something around the house, you will remember that it got its beginning during a very unsettling time in world history.

Did you know . . .

Eight of the forty-four United States presidents have been left-handed. If you do the math, that is eighteen percent.  While that doesn’t seem like any big deal, maybe it would be a little bit more interesting; if you knew that the national average says that only about ten percent of the population is lefties.

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