Spain is a country with a wealthy population culinary tradition which ranges from the typical tapas to the famous paella. However, some of the food And drinks that have become popular in Spain and around the world, have origins that are anything but traditional. In fact, several of these delights originated mistakes or accidents in the kitchen. This is the fascinating story of seven popular foods and drinks in Spain that came about by accident.
Potato chips
The potato chips They are one of the most popular snack foods in the country and their invention is attributed to an accident that occurred in 1853 at Moon's Lake House restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York. George Crum, the restaurant's chef, cooked some thinly sliced potatoes after a customer complained that the usual fries were too thick and mushy. In an act of rage, Crum sliced the potatoes and fried them until they were done crispy and season them with salt. To their surprise, the customer loved it and thus fries were born, a staple of Spanish tapas and appetizers.
Chocolate brownie
He Brownies of chocolate It's a dessert that also owes its origin story to a mistake. Legend has it that in the 1890s, a housewife in Bangor, Maine, forgot to add yeast to your chocolate cake recipe. The result was a denser, chewier cake that I cut into small squares. These 'brownies' quickly became popular and have become a beloved dessert all over the world, including in Spain, where they are served in countless restaurants and cafes.
Roquefort cheese
He Roquefort cheese It is one of the most famous blue cheeses and originates from a happy coincidence in France. According to legend, a young man shepherd who cared for his sheep He left his lunch of bread and cheese forgotten in a cave. When he returned weeks later, he found that the mold had transformed the cheese around the fork into something completely new and delicious.
Beer
The beer It is one of the oldest and most popular drinks in the world and its discovery was also accidental. It is believed that beer was discovered thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia when a large amount of cereal grains were accidentally moistened and fermented naturally. This mixture resulted in a alcoholic drink which quickly gained popularity.
Chewing gum
He gumAlthough not a food in the traditional sense, it is a popular confectionery product that was also invented by accident. In the 1860s, inventor Thomas Adams experimented with chewing gum to create a rubber replacement. However, his experiments with making toys and tires failed. By chance, he decided to chew a piece of gum and discovered that it had a pleasant texture and could be chewed for a long time, which gave rise to modern chewing gum.
Coffee
Coffee, one of the most popular beverages in the world, also has an origin that is linked to an accident. According to legend, an Ethiopian shepherd named Kaldi noticed that his goats became more energetic after eating the redcurrant from a bush. Curious, Kaldi tasted the berries and experienced a similar sensation. After taking them to a monastery, the monks threw the berries into the fireworkwhich produced a delicious aroma. The roasted berries were then dissolved in water, creating what we know today as coffee.
Nutella
Nutella, the famous hazelnut and chocolate cream Italian, also has a coincidental origin story. During the WWIISince cocoa was a scarce commodity in Italy, Pietro Ferrero, an Italian pastry chef, decided to expand the available cocoa by mixing it with ground hazelnuts, sugar and a little oil, creating a paste that he initially called 'Gianduja pasta'. This mixture later evolved and was marketed as Nutella in 1964.