The Original PB&J from 1901
Tasting History with Max Miller・17 minutes read
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich has a rich history dating back to 1901, with the Pullman loaf and key ingredients playing a significant role in its creation and popularity, evolving over time with innovations in bread-making and food products. The sandwich's rise to fame during wartime, its association with sliced bread, and variations like Grapelade and Skippy peanut butter contributed to its iconic status as a beloved comfort food, especially among children.
Insights
- The peanut butter and jelly sandwich has a rich history dating back to 1901, with its popularity growing significantly during WWI and WWII due to various innovations and food shortages, eventually becoming a staple food for children in the 1950s.
- The development and evolution of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich were influenced by key inventions such as sliced bread, the Pullman loaf pan, and Joseph Rosefield's hydrogenation process, as well as the introduction of new products like Grapelade during WWI, showcasing a blend of culinary creativity, necessity, and innovation over time.
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Recent questions
What is the history of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich has a rich history dating back to 1901, with the first recipe appearing in 'The Boston Cooking School Magazine.' It gained popularity during WWI and WWII, becoming a staple food for children in the 1950s.
How was peanut butter made in the early 1900s?
Peanut butter was made by grinding peanuts through a coffee grinder or meat grinder in the early 1900s, as per the period recipes.
What led to the popularity of peanut butter?
The popularity of peanut butter grew due to Marcellus Edson's peanut grinding machine and John Harvey Kellogg's promotion of the food, leading to its widespread adoption.
What role did sliced bread play in the popularity of the sandwich?
Sliced bread revolutionized the baking industry, leading to increased sales of bread, jam, and jelly, which contributed to the popularity of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
How did the peanut butter and jelly sandwich evolve over time?
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich evolved from a simple recipe in 1901 to become a staple food during WWI and WWII, with variations like Grapelade and different types of jams and jellies being introduced.
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Summary
00:00
History of the Peanut Butter Sandwich
- The peanut butter and jelly sandwich is considered a perfect creation by many.
- The first recipe for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich dates back to 1901 from 'The Boston Cooking School Magazine.'
- Making the bread for the sandwich involves using a Pullman loaf, a common choice at the turn of the century.
- The peanut butter was made by grinding peanuts through a coffee grinder or meat grinder, as per the period recipes.
- The Pullman loaf pan, used for the bread, is essential for creating a square loaf with minimal crust, ideal for tea sandwiches.
- The bread recipe from 'Baker's Bread' by Paul Richards in 1906 requires water, yeast, lard or butter, sugar, bread flour, and salt.
- The bread dough is kneaded, allowed to rise, shaped, and baked in the Pullman loaf pan at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The origins of peanut butter trace back to South America, with peanuts being brought to Europe and Africa before arriving in North America.
- The popularity of peanut butter grew thanks to Marcellus Edson's peanut grinding machine and John Harvey Kellogg's promotion of the food.
- The peanut butter and jelly sandwich didn't gain immediate popularity due to gritty peanut butter, the lack of pre-sliced bread, and unappealing jelly options.
12:44
Evolution of PB & J Sandwiches
- Sliced bread revolutionized the baking industry, leading to increased sales of bread, jam, and jelly, with the phrase "best thing since sliced bread" still in use today.
- During WWI, Welch Grape Juice Company introduced Grapelade, a new product combining jam and jelly, which became popular among troops and later civilians, leading to variations like Peachlade and Fruitlade.
- Peanut butter gained popularity during WWI due to meat shortages, with Joseph Rosefield's hydrogenation process in 1921 improving its consistency, leading to the creation of Skippy peanut butter.
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches became popular during WWII among American soldiers, leading to their widespread popularity in the 1950s as a staple food for children, especially in school cafeterias.
- A recipe from 1901 details the creation of the first PB & J sandwich, involving three slices of bread with peanut butter and jelly spread on two slices, stacked, and cut into finger sandwiches, with variations like currant jam and crab apple jam.
