Waffles are light batter cakes that are prepared with waffle irons. The irons are patterned to give waffles a unique shape. Waffles are popularly consumed as breakfast foods. They are often served alongside syrup, powdered sugar, butter and berries (often strawberries or blueberries). Waffles are delicious and have been popular since the Middle Ages.
History
Waffles have been in existence since the medieval era. They started out in the Middle Ages as ultra thin, light, crisp cakes that were baked between wafer irons. The irons were made up of dual metal plates attached together by a hinge. Each plate was affixed to an arm that had a wooden handle. Then, the wafer iron was put over a fire. It would be flipped around several times to cook both sides of the wafer evenly.
Types
There are various different types of waffles. The varieties include American waffles (thin and less dense than most waffles), Belgian waffles (world famous, light and crisp), Liege waffle (named after the Belgian city and sweet, small and dense), Potato waffles (made of reconstituted potato), Stroppwafels (slender Dutch waffles filled with syrup) and Hong Kong style waffles (round, large waffles).
Expert Insight
Belgian waffles are perhaps the most well known waffles. They are often used as a delicacy food during special occasions, family reunions and parties. They are commonly eaten on Christmas evening (although not so much as in previous times) and Mardi Gras.
Potential
There are a lot of wonderful, delicious and popular waffle recipes. Waffles as a food item have a lot of potential in meals, desserts and more. Some exciting waffle dishes include sour cream waffles, pumpkin waffles (with apple cider syrup on top), gingerbread waffles, blueberry oat waffles, nutty pecan waffles and whole grain waffles.
Theories/Speculation
Waffles are easily found, both at supermarkets and restaurants. Kellogg's Eggo waffles are great and easy to find in frozen food sections of supermarkets. Also, national chain restaurants such as the aptly-named Waffle House and International House of Pancakes (IHOP) are both wonderful places to dine on waffles.
Tags: Belgian waffles, cakes that, have been, irons irons, light crisp, Middle Ages