Hot off the Griddle
The history of pancakes
What is a pancake?
A pancake is a flat cake, often thin, and round, prepared from a starch-based batter that may also contain eggs, milk and butter. In Britain, pancakes often resemble a crepe because they are unleavened. The American pancake is similar to a Scotch pancake or drop scone. North America often uses a leavening agent, typically baking powder.
The History of the Pancake
The ancient Greeks made pancakes called τηγανίτης (tēganitēs) deriving from τάγηνον (tagēnon), "frying pan". The earliest reference on tagenias was in 5th century BC when poets Cratinus and Magnes wrote about them.
I'm gonna tell you a little story about my experience with british pancakes. When I was traveling with the academy in London, we were at the airport getting breakfast and I saw they had nutella banana pancakes. I got really excited so I ordered them and when I saw what they looked like I was still excited. It was a crepe. I bit into it and I felt really betrayed. I had never eaten something so satisfying to look at but so horrible to put in my mouth.