Who Invented the Sandwich

a History Channel story about the first sandwiches…

Have you ever wondered who invented the sandwich and how it got its name?

The word “sandwich” comes from John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, an English politician and gambler who lived in the 18th century. According to a legend, he once asked for a piece of meat between two slices of bread so he could eat without leaving the gaming table. The story was popularized by a French writer named Pierre-Jean Grosley, who described the scene in his book A Tour to London. Soon, people started calling this convenient snack a “sandwich”.

However, the Earl of Sandwich was not the first person to come up with the idea of putting something between two pieces of bread. In fact, sandwiches have existed in various forms for thousands of years. One of the earliest known sandwich-eaters was Hillel the Elder, a rabbi and scholar who lived in Jerusalem during the 1st century B.C. He mixed apples, nuts, and spices in wine and placed them between two pieces of matzoh bread during Passover. This tradition is still followed by Jews today.

Sandwiches also have a long history in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, where flatbreads were used to wrap different fillings. For example, Turkish culture has a tradition of rolling bread with a filling that dates back to ancient times. In America, sandwiches first appeared in cookbooks in 1816, with a variety of fillings such as cheese, fruit, shellfish, nuts and mushrooms.

Today, sandwiches are one of the most popular and versatile foods in the world. You can find them in different shapes, sizes, flavors and ingredients. Whether you prefer a hot pastrami on rye, a grilled cheese, or a French dip, there is a sandwich for everyone. What is your favorite sandwich? Let us know in the comments below!