Waffles originated in Europe around the 9th to 10th centuries AD, during that continent’s medieval period. It is the name of a dish. They say it came from the Dutch word “wafel,” referring to the honeycomb pattern that cakes were often decorated with at that time. 

To make waffles, a sweet, crisp cake of batter is used. It is made from grain flour and water. The batter is cooked between two iron plates with designs that give it a grid shape.

The first known waffle irons were popular in what are now Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Called gaufriers, they consist of two metal plates with wooden handles. They usually used to have elaborate patterns or religious symbols.

They were said to be served during community festivals. They became popular in Europe and were enjoyed until the 19th century. In the late 1900s, cheap beet sugar made chocolates, pastries, and toffees popular. As a result, waffles fell out of favor.

How waffles regained popularity

In 1964, Belgian waffles reemerged when they were shown at the World’s Fair in Queens, New York. During the expo, vendor Maurice Vermersch sold Brussels waffles. He made them from his wife’s recipe. He renamed these yeast waffles Belgian waffles to appeal to the public.

In the 1930s, the Dorsa brothers created an instant waffle mix. When Kellogg’s, a famous American food company, bought it, the mix became a popular breakfast item. They sold out within a short time, with people consuming this snack with maple syrup or honey.

As of now, waffles in sweet or flavored form are popular worldwide. They contain eggs and are eaten in various forms. Toppings include chocolate sauce, fruit, and nuts. 

Americans eat waffles for breakfast, during weekends, or on holidays. They bake waffles and top them with maple syrup to serve with sausages or eggs, hot coffee, or orange juice. 

In France and Quebec, Canada’s French-speaking province, people eat waffles for dessert after dinner. They are served with sweet toppings, like whipped cream, chocolate syrup, or fruit, such as strawberries or bananas. 

Different types of waffles

The other popular types of waffles, apart from Belgian, are American, Hong Kong, Liège, croffle, Flemish, etc.

Brussels waffles, known as Belgian waffles in the U.S., are made from a batter leavened with egg whites, yeast, or both. Unlike other European varieties, they are lighter and crisper. They have larger pockets and rectangular sides.

The Liège waffle is local to East Belgium’s Wallonia region. Known also as gaufres de chasse, it includes brioche bread dough, containing portions of pearl sugar to burn the outer part of the baked waffle.

In Belgium, Liège waffles are the most common type available. On most of this country’s streets, they are made in plain, cinnamon, or vanilla varieties.

American waffles differ in thickness and density compared to waffles made in the Belgian style. They are usually prepared from a batter that is leavened with baking powder. It may have berries, pecans, or chocolate syrup. Waffles can be round or rectangular. They resemble U.S.-made pancakes. Americans have them as a sweet breakfast dish by topping them with butter and maple syrup, other fruit syrups, or powdered sugar.

Waffles as a dish

Waffles are often compared to pancakes because both contain common ingredients such as milk, eggs, and flour. Yet, their batters differ. While there is more fat and more sugar at times in waffles, their extra fat aids in making waffles crispy on the surface. Also, they are soft and chewy inside, unlike a fluffy pancake. Waffles have more sugar, so they are caramelized more. This gives them a brown, crispy exterior. 

Waffles are better than light, soft pancakes because they pair well with other foods.

Waffles in India

In India, waffles grew in popularity only in the last two decades. According to the Times of India, outlets of waffle rooms made their appearance in Indian metros, like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. They later emerged in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Large companies, like The Belgian Waffle Company, opened their establishments there. They are now as popular as ice cream, pastries, burgers, and other foreign dishes. 

Fnbnews.com, an industry magazine, reports that the waffle industry was 6-8% of India’s dessert market in August 2019. One of the reasons why the market for waffle rooms is on the rise in our country is that the dish is easy and quick to prepare. Furthermore, eggless batters are also prepared. And they are available in any number of forms and varieties. 

Besides, waffles will be more popular among Indians if they contain healthier ingredients. A fourth of the respondents to a study in India said they were keen to consume waffles. They would not mind paying more for organic, sugar-free, and other healthy options. 

If you have a great business idea with waffles, ice cream, or chocolates, consider a franchise with The Chocolate Room. It is a thriving chocolate café. Our strong brand, top products, and great support let you tap into the growing demand for premium chocolate experiences. When you partner with us, you can spread the joy of The Chocolate Room within your community. To know more about becoming a franchisee, contact us today!

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