Planet Food | Traditional Belgian Dessert: Waffles
In Belgium, there's a delicious and affordable food that can be found everywhere, on the streets, in restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, at trade shows, expositions, and Christmas markets. Its frequency is disproportionate given the country's small population. Enjoyed by everyone from royalty to the common people, it's a beloved traditional dessert: the waffle (also known as waffles, lattice cakes, or embossed omelets). So why is it so popular and what is its historical story? What are waffles? Waffle batter is typically made from flour, eggs, butter, sugar, and baking powder. After fermentation, it's poured into a special waffle iron and baked. The top and bottom of the iron have a lattice-like pattern, which presses the batter or dough into shape. Depending on the shape of the iron, waffles can be rectangular, oval, heart-shaped, or round. The baked waffles can be eaten plain or topped with strawberries, ice cream, bananas, cantaloupe, cream, chocolate, jam, syrup, honey, and more for a richer flavor. Decorated waffles can be described as "made-up," while undecorated ones can be described as "plain." For tourists, the "made-up" version is more appealing; for Belgians, the "plain" version is their preferred option, as in their hearts, that's the real deal. A light, refreshing flavor, sprinkled with powdered sugar, is all you need. Waffles can be eaten hot or cold. They're perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or just a satisfying snack when you're hungry. Belgian waffles are generally divided into two types: Brussels waffles and Liège waffles. The former are lighter, crisper, and open around the edges, while the latter are slightly heavier, rectangular, and sealed around the edges. The History of Belgian Waffles The history of Belgian waffles dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries AD, originating in Brabant (present-day Belgium). Originally, a batter of flour and water was placed between two iron plates and then toasted over a fire. In the 11th century, with the advent of the Crusades, flavorings like orange juice were added to waffles. By the 15th century, waffle irons with classic grid-like patterns had appeared, further improving baking techniques. In the 14th and 15th centuries, due to the high price of sugar, farmers usually made sugar-free and slightly thicker waffles at home. The rich made more exquisite waffles, adding fine flour, egg yolks, sugar, and white wine, which were delicious. Waffles appeared in paintings from the 16th century, and waffle recipes from this period added spices like ginger and cinnamon. The word "waffle" appeared in Brussels literature in 1604. Sugarcane plantations in the Caribbean, known as the "Sugar Bowl of the World," expanded further in the early 18th century, halving the price of sugar in Europe. This made sugar-sweetened waffles popular. In the early 19th century, a famous Belgian baker added yeast to the waffle batter, making it softer and more flavorful. This improved method quickly spread to neighboring countries such as France and Germany. In 1806, the British blockade of the Atlantic caused sugar prices to rise sharply. However, in the decades that followed, the sugar beet industry on the European continent gradually developed and prospered, and sugar prices fell again, reaching a low point. Subsequently, a variety of candies, chocolates, and pastries emerged, affecting the popularity of waffles. In 1830, Belgium separated from the Netherlands to become an independent country, and a portrait of King William I of Belgium showed waffles and Brussels beer. In 1958, Belgian waffles were exhibited at the World Exhibition (Expo 1958) in Brussels. Traditional skills, passed down from generation to generation In Belgium, many fine traditional skills are passed down through family traditions, and generations of people have inherited and preserved them with their spirit of craftsmanship that strives for excellence. In 1839, Maximilien Consael (Max for short) introduced waffles at a Belgian exhibition and began selling them from a mobile stall. Later, it developed into a true family business, which has been in operation for 180 years. The company has long since expanded into restaurant operations, and the current restaurant in Ghent, called Max, is run by Yves van Maldeghem, the sixth generation of the family. Yves says that as a waffle maker, he felt destined to pursue this profession. "I'm proud of everything I do," he says. He is affectionately known as the "Belgian Waffle King." Flowers bloom inside the wall, but red outside The French General Dictionary of Cooking records the origin of waffles very early. As early as the 13th century, waffles appeared on the streets of Paris as a street food. The earliest known waffle recipe appeared in the late 14th century in a book called Le Ménagier de Paris (The Parisian Housekeeping Guide). In the mid-16th century, King Francis I of France (1494-1547) owned a set of waffle irons made of sterling silver, and in 1560, his successor, Charles IX, enacted the first legislation for the sale of waffles. In the 18th century, waffle varieties were further improved with Germany introducing coffee waffles, France adding whipped egg whites and lemon curd, Spain introducing wine along with cloves, and Joseph Gillier publishing the first chocolate waffle recipe. During this period, the word "waffle" first appeared in English. In 1744, records from the State of New Jersey in the United States indicate that Dutch people began a waffle business in New Amsterdam, New York City. In 1869, American Cornelius Swarthout, who had served in the Allied forces and in the Netherlands, patented an improved waffle iron. Consequently, August 24th of each year in the United States is celebrated as "Waffle Day," commemorating the anniversary of the first U.S. patent for waffles. In 1918, General Electric ( GE) introduced the first electric commercial waffle maker, and waffles became an increasingly homemade product. By the mid-1930s, waffles were being sold by companies such as Aunt Jemima, Bisquick, and Dorsas. In 1964, at the New York World's Fair, Belgian Maurice Vermeersch introduced waffles topped with cream and strawberries at his booth, which was a huge success. In September 2009, Belgian Thomas De Geest's waffles won the Vendy Award of Street Food in New York City, a competition recognized by the City of New York that has been honoring the best street food in the city since 2005. Waffles are easily found in restaurants, cafes, and dessert shops throughout the United States and even the Western Hemisphere. They are also quite popular in Asian countries and regions like Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Waffles have "migrated" overseas, with variations depending on local conditions and slightly different additions based on local preferences. In some regions throughout Northern Europe, traditional recipes of 18th and 19th century varieties are still preserved. As a Belgian specialty, waffles have even appeared in movies and cartoons. Their reputation has spread, crossing continents and oceans, reaching ever further and further... No matter how much you say, seeing is believing. And seeing is better than... going to try it for yourself! One taste is enough to make you remember it for a lifetime.
