History Sandwich

salmon-and-cream-cheese sandwiches on pieces of baguette



english sandwiches, crustless on plate



sandwich fried egg, tomato , cucumber



sandwich filled olives , sliced red tomatoes

the modern concept of sandwich using slices of bread found within west can arguably traced 18th century europe. however, use of kind of bread or bread-like substance lie under (or under , over) other food, or used scoop , enclose or wrap other type of food, long predates eighteenth century, , found in numerous older cultures worldwide.

the ancient jewish sage hillel elder said have wrapped meat paschal lamb , bitter herbs between 2 pieces of old-fashioned soft matzah—flat, unleavened bread—during passover in manner of modern wrap made flatbread. flat breads of varying kinds have long been used scoop or wrap small amounts of food en route platter mouth throughout western asia , northern africa. morocco ethiopia india, bread baked in flat rounds, contrasting european loaf tradition.

during middle ages in europe, thick slabs of coarse , stale bread, called trenchers , used plates. after meal, food-soaked trencher fed dog or beggars @ tables of wealthy, , eaten diners in more modest circumstances. immediate culinary precursor direct connection english sandwich found in netherlands of seventeenth century, naturalist john ray observed in taverns beef hung rafters cut thin slices , eat bread , butter laying slices upon butter — explanatory specifications reveal dutch belegde broodje, open-faced sandwich, yet unfamiliar in england.

initially perceived food men shared while gaming , drinking @ night, sandwich began appearing in polite society late-night meal among aristocracy. sandwich s popularity in spain , england increased dramatically during nineteenth century, when rise of industrial society , working classes made fast, portable, , inexpensive meals essential. in london, example, @ least seventy street vendors selling ham sandwiches 1850; during decade sandwich bars became important form of eating establishment in western holland, typically serving liver , salt beef sandwiches.

at same time european-style sandwich began appear outside of europe. in united states, sandwich first promoted elaborate meal @ supper. twentieth century, bread became staple of american diet, sandwich became same kind of popular, quick meal widespread in mediterranean.