French Toast is NOT French

Summary

The article discusses the misleading names of various foods, such as French toast, which contrary to its name, did not originate in France but has a history dating back to the Roman Empire and was popularized in England before receiving its current name from an American innkeeper.

Abstract

The text delves into the culinary misnomers of certain foods, highlighting that names can be deceptive when it comes to their actual origins. It reveals that French toast, a dish many associate with France, was in fact first made in the Roman Empire and later known as "pain perdu" or "lost bread" in England during the 1400s. The name "French Toast" was coined in 1726 by an American innkeeper named Joseph French. Similarly, French dressing, created in American labs during the 1950s, and French fries, whose true origin is debated between France and Belgium, do not have French roots. The kiwi fruit, originally from China and called Chinese gooseberries, was rebranded by New Zealand marketers. The article also touches on foods with accurate geographical names, such as the New Mexico Green Chile and the Mandarin orange, which originated in Southeast Asia and China. Lastly, the author mentions the "Czechoslovakian Burrito," a dish they invented, clarifying that it does not hail from Czechoslovakia.

Opinions

The author suggests that one should not assume the origin of a food based on its name alone.
There is an appreciation for the history and evolution of food names, as seen with "pain perdu" becoming "French Toast."
The author seems amused by the irony that many "French" named foods are not of French origin.
The preference for the name "tangerine" over "

And other culinary curiosities

There are plenty of misconceptions regarding the origin of certain foods because of the names we call those foods. It is best not to jump to conclusions. For instance, french toast is NOT French!

The practice of frying bread that has been soaked in eggs and milk originated in the Roman Empire long before France was even a country. In the 1400’s the dish was very popular in England and it was known as, “pain perdu,” which meant, “lost bread.” It was called ‘lost’ because old stale bread was used. According to culinary legend this dish did not get the name, ‘French Toast,’ until 1726 when an innkeeper from Albany, New York served it. The innkeeper’s name was Joseph French and on his menu he named the dish after himself. It’s been called french toast ever since.

So no, french toast did not originate in France.

Furthermore, if you pop open the top of that bottle of French Dressing you got from the grocery store and pour it over your salad know that it also did not originate in France but rather in the labs of American food manufacturers in the 1950s.

As for french fries there is a debate about whether they originated in France or in Belgium. I won’t get into that debate. What is important to me is the correct way to eat french fries.

And kiwi fruit did not originate in New Zealand but rather China. The fruit was originally called Chinese gooseberries and became a staple crop in New Zealand where some crafty Kiwi marketers changed the name to kiwi fruit.

But there really are some foods with names that reveal their true origins. One of my very favorite vegetables on the planet is a prime example. It turns out that New Mexico Green Chile really did originate in New Mexico. I would like to say that it is God’s gift to humankind but God was not involved. This chile pepper was created by humans through the old-fashioned process of hybridization (and NOT genetic engineering!). The hybridization was carried out over a hundred years ago by New Mexico State University under the direction of Dr. Fabian-Garcia.

Then there is that delicious tiny fruit known as the Mandarin Orange. Yes, they originated in Southeast Asia and China and The Philippines so their name is somewhat correct — provided that is what you call them. But some people call them tangerines. Tangerines and mandarin oranges are essentially the same thing. Though the fruit originated in Asia they came to be cultivated in North Africa and they were shipped to the west from the port of Tangiers; hence the name tangerine.

Personally, I prefer the name tangerine, even though it may not be as accurate. It just has a hipper, more artistic sound to it.

Wouldn’t it be cool to name a food dish like Joseph French did? I invented and named a dish once but I did not name it after myself. And that brings me to one last culinary curiosity…

The Czechoslovakian Burrito did NOT originate in Czechoslovakia.

French Toast is NOT French

And other culinary curiosities

Cooking is Like Playing With Legos

And the magic ingredient is….