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Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

A Bit of Cookie History

Colossal Cookies
Cookies ~ a treat for any age but how did they get started, how did the 'cookie' get its name? Did you know the 'cookie' actually goes back to the 7th century? Now, that's a long way back, folks! I doubt very seriously it was the same as the cookie we know today. But, what did it look like? Was it really tasty? How was it sweetened? Is a 'cookie' called a 'cookie' all over the world? Do cookies look and taste the same the world over?

Whoa? Slow down! Let's take it easy on the questions and look for some of the answers. Because of the extent of the history behind the cookie, you will need to investigate some of the links to find the answers.

7th century Persia ~ "The earliest cookie-style cakes are thought to date back to 7th century Persia A.D. (now Iran), one of the first countries to cultivate sugar. . ." Lavish cakes were well-known in the Persian Empire. Read MORE. . . 
14th century Europe ~ The history of cookies documents cookbooks filled with recipes beginning in Italy and spreading throughout Europe. By the end of the 14th century, tiny little wafers could be bought along the streets of Paris: thin crisp cookies, plain sweetened versions, or flavored with a variety of ingredients, baked in the manner of waffles. In England, the 'biscuit' was popular, literally meaning "twice baked."

17th & 18th centuries ~ In the 1600s, the amazing history of cookies marks its migration to America during English and Dutch settlement. Endless numbers of recipes fill the cookbooks of America with not one cookbook holding all the different varieties.
The word 'cookie' is Americanism first recorded in American English in 1703. The word came from the Dutch word 'koekie' meaning 'cupcake or little cake'. After Americanization, the 'cookie' became a child's best friend. It found its place as the sole proprietor of the 'cookie jar' and heaven forbid if the jar ever became empty. One last cookie must remain to be shared.


Cookie Time

Mama, Mama, time for a treat
I've been good, done my chores
Didn't run through the house
Left playing for outdoors

What's that I smell
All sugary and sweet
Oh, Mama, oh, Mama
Your cookies can't be beat

Peanut butter, oatmeal
Which one is it this time?
Maybe chocolate chip
A favorite of mine

I'd better get the milk
Maybe some cocoa too
Cookies are made for dunkin'
Soakin' all the way through

What's that you say?
 You made all three
Ready for the takin'
For Daddy and me


What is your all-time favorite cookie and 'cookie time memory?



Posted by at 8:29 PM

13 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2012 at 10:00 PM

    Can't beat Melting Moments :)

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2012 at 10:34 PM

    Well Sharla, that's a hard one - growing up in England during the war with two ounces of sugar per person a week, there wasn't a lot of scope for cakes or cookies. But if I'm pushed, I'd go for jam tarts, which we did have!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 1:26 PM

      My mom use to make fig tarts! Oh, my, sheer goodness through and through!

      Delete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2012 at 2:46 AM

    Personally, I love cookies but in France, our favorite is "Petit Beurre Lu" ;)

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    1. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 1:30 PM

      France is reknown for its pastries! But, aside from cookies, baklava is my favorite. I did not know until today that in Greece, baklava is supposed to be made with 33 dough layers, referring to the years of Christ's life.

      Delete
  4. Aditya SamitinjaySeptember 21, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    Yummm... I knew there'd be Italy in there but surprised that ancient persia was the first to make em' and you made me realise that biscuit is bis cuit. Wow I hadn't noticed that for 19 years.. Haha. It was nice reading this :)

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    1. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 1:32 PM

      Always great when you visit! Biscuit has always been a funny word to me because it does not spell the way it sounds!

      Delete
  5. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    Going through all of the comments is making my mouth water for some cookies. . . ANY cookies!

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  6. UnknownSeptember 23, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    Cookies the sustainer of many happy thoughts and moments in life! Thanks Sharla, excellent! Penny

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    1. UnknownSeptember 23, 2012 at 10:24 PM

      Thank you, Penny, for stopping by and leaving comments. Anytime one needs a smile, just grab a cookie! Works every time:>)

      Delete
  7. Pat GarciaSeptember 24, 2012 at 5:55 AM

    Hi,

    Oh how I remember the famous milk and cookies when I returned home from school. When my father worked on the day shift, we would wait until he arrived home to eat dinner, so my mother had the milk and cookies ready to keep me from getting hungry until dinner.

    Today, I still eat cookies and of course, cookies taste best with milk.

    Thank you for a lovely article that took me down memory lane.

    Ciao,
    Patricia

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    Replies
    1. UnknownSeptember 30, 2012 at 11:08 PM

      Pat, so glad you stopped by Awakenings and shared your wonderful memories:>)

      Delete

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