The history of pancakes. A short excursion into the distant past

For many years experts have been arguing about when for the first time people learned to make pancakes. The history of this product has not been completely studied yet. Scientists make a number of assumptions, but none of them has convincing evidence. Therefore, until now, the history of pancakes is still a mystery. To make a final decision, it takes time and weighty arguments.

A look into the past

Experts believe that pancakes were the first dish that people began to cook after they learned to make flour. This is even indicated by the name of the product.

According to the famous coryphaeus in the field of cooking, William Pokhlebkin, it came from the word "mlyn", which means "grind" in Ukrainian. That's why the device used to make flour is called a "mill". Hence we can conclude that the history of pancakes is directly related to the life of the Eastern Slavs. It all began many centuries ago. Even before the baptism of Rus in every house mistress, using flour and water, could cook a dough, from which then baked lush and ruddy pancakes. There is also an opinion that the history of pancakes is not at all connected with flour. Just once, a man decided to heat the oatmeal prepared on the eve. Probably, for that moment he was very busy, so he was distracted for a while. As a result, the liquid is baked and turned into a flat cake. So the first pancake appeared. However, all this is only an assumption.

Multinational dish

Different countries, competing with each other, are trying to prove that they should be considered the birthplace of the famous product. Everyone is sure of his rightness and is convinced that the opinions of all the applicants are fundamentally wrong. Each state has its own history of pancakes and special rules for their preparation. So, Americans believe that these products should be small and lush. They are called punkcakes and baked in special pans, and then served in a dish for 2-3 pieces, abundantly watering maple syrup. And in the countries of South America, pancakes are made from cornmeal and eat together with various bitter or sour sauces. Buryats and Mongols represent this dish in the form of large dense cakes, which are called "gambier". They are served with soup or boiled hot meat. In India, pancakes are called "dosa". They are crispy cakes made from flour (oatmeal, rice, wheat or lentil) coarsely ground. Usually the dosa is made with a filling and served together with a pre-cooked sauce or fresh vegetables. But no matter how you prepare this product, it still remains a round, fragrant and all favorite dish.

Interesting assumptions

Until now, no one can explain where the first pancakes came from. The history of the origin of this product, according to many scientists, is rooted in the distant past. There is even an assumption that they were first baked in Ancient Egypt. However, if you look closely, then these products at that time more like cakes. In addition, in the eastern countries for the preparation of pancakes at first they used special furnaces. The dough pieces were simply molded onto the inner surface, and then they were removed using special tools. Therefore, given the play of words, it was more cakes than pancakes. Chinese craftsmen have their own attitude to this product. For them pancakes are dough, dried on a dry hot frying pan. After that, they just wrap up different foods (meat or vegetables).

In fact, it's not pancakes. The history of their origin is also incomprehensible. And they themselves resemble rice paper for rolls, and are not at all perceived as an independent dish.

Russian kitchen

The history of pancakes in Russia has more than a thousand years. During this time, a whole era passed, during which the popular product performed in a variety of qualities. Originally it was a dish that was used for mourning ceremonies. He was prepared for the dead, seeing them off on his last journey. In those years, people believed that so they can feed the souls of their late ancestors. That native people could eat in the next world, fresh pancakes were put in a coffin at a funeral. They were baked in large quantities, and then handed out to beggars and wanderers, who were considered intermediaries between the world of the living and the dead. But the history of pancakes in Russia does not end with this. For a long time this dish was given special significance. Each housewife had her own recipe for the test, which she kept in great secrecy and passed on to her family from generation to generation. Opara for pancakes was usually set late at night, when all the households were already asleep. It was believed that such a process should have taken place without prying eyes. Over the years, this habit has survived, and the occasion became quite common.

Now pancakes in each family are cooked just like that - as a second course or a sweet dessert.

Assumptions and Reality

Now it's hard to say how it all really began. The history of the appearance of pancakes has not been studied to this day.

The assumptions of historians of different years sometimes contradict each other. At one time, experts argued that ancient people, worshiping pagan gods, baked round pancakes as a symbol of the sun. By this donation they wanted to please the god Perun in order to enlist his support. However, over time this assumption was completely refuted. The version of the sacrificial bread was replaced by a ritual symbolism, which exists at the present time.

Often you can observe how in the days of commemoration of the deceased in many Slavic families mistresses bake pancakes and put them on a plate near the icon, lighting a candle next to it. With this gesture they invite their relatives to a meal and make it clear that they have not been forgotten. Even in our enlightened age, many still believe that on certain days, when coming to the cemetery, it is necessary to take freshly baked pancakes with them, and leaving them on the grave of the deceased.

Food on a bright holiday

The habit of using a popular dish as a reminder is preserved not only for people. This is also the story of the pancakes. At the Shrovetide, the villages were given real fun. In the houses, the tables were simply racked with the abundance of festive dishes. However, the main treat was still pancakes. They were baked in whole piles, carefully coating each layer with fragrant butter. It was with the pancakes that the festive feast began. They were treated to everyone who accidentally went into the house. According to the traditions of Maslenitsa - this is the day when winter meets the spring and gives way to it. To honor the cold season of the year with honor, an effigy was set up on the street and burned to the general jubilation.

It was customary to celebrate such an event in the company. The people gathered in the street and arranged a real mass celebration. It was believed that it was necessary to celebrate such an event with a grand scale, because, in addition to winter, people saw off the old year. As you know, until the 14th century the New Year holidays were coming in March.