Where did cookies originate?

A cookie is a sweet baked treat that is usually made from flour, sugar, eggs, and fat. These small, flat biscuits can include various additional ingredients, such as chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, or sprinkles. Read on to find out where cookies originated.

Ancient beginnings

The story of the cookie begins in 7th century Persia, coinciding with a surge in sugar production in the region. Hard wafers had existed since the earliest days of baking, but the biscuits made in Persia were the originators of what we now know as cookies. Through people travelling on trade routes, these sweet treats gradually made their way to Europe.

Medieval evolution

By the 14th century, cookies had become popular across European society and were eaten by royal courts; however, they remained something of a luxury item, as most people didn’t have ovens in their homes. This made bakeries the primary source of these treats. Cookies were so popular in royal circles that Queen Elizabeth I of England even commissioned gingerbread sculptures that resembled her important guests.

The American journey

Cookies arrived in the US with the Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam during the late 1620s. The word ‘cookie’ comes from the Dutch word ‘koekje’, which means ‘little cake’. While cookies quickly became popular in the US, the modern versions didn’t arrive until the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Industrial Revolution and beyond

The 19th century brought many changes to cookie production. The introduction of the railways made ingredients more accessible, and the Industrial Revolution enabled mass production. Major companies such as Huntley & Palmers, McVitie’s, and Carr’s started up during this period, and a major change came in 1831 when Huntley & Palmers introduced the decorative biscuit tin that helped with worldwide distribution.

Office lunches can include cookies and biscuits, and companies such as crumbsdelivered.co.uk/shop/office-lunch-delivery/ can provide platters.

Cookies in more modern times

Modern ovens and refrigeration in the 20th century enabled better baking and storage. Ruth Graves Wakefield created the chocolate chip cookie at her Toll House Restaurant in 1937, which changed the cookie landscape forever.

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