Here we take a look at fascinating and little-known facts about America’s most popular dishes. Get ready to find out a mind-blowing kernel of knowledge about corn on the cob, why we started eating hot dogs in buns and more.
Americans eat over a billion buffalo wings on Super Bowl weekend
Nothing beats deep-fried, spicy sauce-covered wings served with celery and blue cheese dip while you’re watching a big game. And there’s one day of the year Americans eat more of them than any other. On Super Bowl Sunday the country consumes a whopping 1.4 billion wings, which is more than four for every person. More fascinating facts…
Ears of corn have an even number of rows
Here’s a fun fact about corn you’ve likely never noticed: ears of maize usually have an even number of rows of kernels. One of nature’s curiosities, the reason is the spikelet’s grow in pairs. Go ahead and count them next time you’re grilling a cob on the barbecue.
French fries are probably Belgian
Despite the name, there’s a good case for the French fry being invented in Belgium, where a narrow, double-fried chipped potato first appeared in writing in the early 20th century. Meanwhile the French argue vendors sold pomme Pont-Neuf (crisp and chunky chopped potatoes) as early as the late 18th century.
It takes 3,000 liters (660 gallons) of water to make one hamburger
When you think about how much water you use a day, you probably only consider washing dishes and showering, but not what you eat. But did you know a 150g (5oz) burger requires 3,000 liters (660 gallons) of water to produce? It’s mainly used for watering crops to make animal feed and for drinking water.
The word taco means light lunch
A word that’s always a pleasure to hear, taco literally translates to “plug”, “wadding” and “light lunch” from Spanish. A corn tortilla stuffed with seasoned meat or fish and fresh garnishes such as onion and cilantro, is the perfect light lunch in our eyes. More fascinating facts…
Apple pie isn’t American
“As American as apple pie” is a saying you often hear, but apple pie isn’t actually American. Apple varieties were brought to the country from Asia by colonists and bred in the 1800s. Meanwhile, pies containing the fruit were baked in England as early as 1381. Nonetheless, the country has made the dish its own.
Pound cake originally contained a pound of every ingredient
This rich dense sponge isn’t called pound cake because it weighs a pound, it was given its name because the recipe originally contained a pound of each ingredient: flour, eggs, butter and sugar. This would create a sweet bake twice the size of modern pans so contemporary recipes usually call for far more reasonable quantities.
Nachos were named after a man called Nacho
Cheesy tortilla chips with jalapeños are thought to be the creation of a chef called Ignacio Anaya, whose nickname was Nacho. He first whipped up the culinary masterpiece at a restaurant in Piedras Negras, Mexico for a group of hungry US military wives who couldn’t find an open restaurant anywhere. More fascinating facts…
Before buns, people ate sausages with white gloves
At the St. Louis World Fair in the 1800s, a sausage vendor was known to lend white gloves to his customers to wear while eating, however he grew tired of them never being returned. One day when he was running low, the vendor decided to give out long soft rolls instead and that’s why, legend has it, frankfurters are eaten in a bun today.
Farm-raised salmon is dyed pink
Pink salmon looks beautiful but 70% of what’s on the grocery store shelf is naturally gray. Only wild salmon is naturally pink because it feeds on krill and shrimp. So although farm-raised salmon is still healthy, it contains colorings. Just food for thought next time you’re having a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel.
Popcorn was the first food to be microwaved
America’s favorite cinema snack has been around for thousands of years, however the microwave version wasn’t invented until 1946. A scientist was experimenting with a magnetron (a device that generates microwaves) and held it close to a kernel which popped. This was a breakthrough finding which helped conceive the first microwave and also microwave popcorn.
350 slices of pizza are eaten every second in the US
A surprise to some but maybe not to others, pizza is America’s favorite food. It’s preferred to steak, tacos, pasta and burgers. In fact, as a country, roughly 350 slices are eaten every second.
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