February 20 is National Muffin Day, and today you might find yourself wondering (as you wipe tell-tale crumbs from the corners of your mouth), whose idea it was to put so much baked goodness in such a small, conveniently personalized package, and where do they come from?
According to Mochas & Javas, a coffee and tea chain in Texas, the complete history of the muffin is not entirely clear, but definitely goes back quite a ways, and across the ocean. Stemming from the German word muffe (translating to “small cake”), it is almost impossible to know exactly how far back it was when the first muffin was made, but the first official recipe for one was printed in the 18th century.
Originally, muffins were made from a small amount of bread dough left over, and over time, the muffin has been adapted and evolved into so many different forms. Both popularized in Britain, muffins and crumpets are made differently and are used for different occasions. Crumpets are flat and typically cooked on one side on a griddle, similar to a dense pancake, and it is meant to have butter or jams spread across its cratered top.
Which brings us to “English Muffins.” Based on the British crumpet, this muffin was actually first created in New York in the 19th Century. Perhaps you’ve heard of Thomas’ English Muffins? Well, after coming to America, a baker named Samuel Bath Thomas opened up a bakery in modern day Chelsea where he created an item he called the “toaster crumpet” and sold in his store. This toaster crumpet was soon referred to as the English muffin, and the trend continued until modern day. Interestingly enough, the English muffin, though originally modeled after Britain’s popular crumpets, are really not made similarly and serve very different purposes.
But back to our small cake delights. Thanks to the Portuguese influence to British culture that was brought by Catherine of Braganza, also known as the first British tea drinking queen, tea drinking became widely popularized throughout Britain. Tea houses became more and more popular, and the taking part of “afternoon tea” became a staple in British culture. Because of this, men would walk the streets at tea time with pans of various muffins on their heads, ring bells, and people would purchase the treats to enjoy with their tea. This inspired the classic nursery rhyme/song, first recorded in a British manuscript in 1820.
O do you know the muffin man, The muffin man, the muffin man.
O do you know the muffin man, Who lives in Drury Lane?
Since the beginning of these little pastry treats, different kinds have been created and served throughout the world. We now have savory muffins, which are less like dessert treats as they might be made with spinach, cheese, eggs, or even meats. Then, of course, we can enjoy our sweet muffin classics like blueberry, chocolate, banana nut, and more. And while you probably don’t have a man walking your neighborhood with fresh baked muffins ready for purchase, you can certainly treat yourself to one at your favorite coffee shop. With a lot of history behind it and made with love, go pick up your favorite muffin today!
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