Okay, so today I decided to do something a little different – I wanted to make some soda crackers, you know, the kind you have with soup or just as a snack. But as I was getting started, I realized I didn’t really know much about them. I mean, where did they even come from? So, naturally, I went on a little deep dive into the history of soda crackers.
I started by gathering some basic info. Apparently, these crackers have been around since the late 18th century, right here in the United States. Back then, they were pretty simple – just a mix of flour, water, and salt. As I dug deeper, I found out that a baker named Josiah Bent in Massachusetts was making something similar in 1801. He called them “water crackers” and sold them to sailors. Turns out, these crackers lasted longer at sea than the sailors did.
I then stumbled upon an interesting fact from 1838. A guy named William Alcott mentioned soda crackers in his book, “The Young House-keeper.” But it wasn’t until 1876 that things got really interesting. That’s when this company, F. L. Sommer & Company, started using baking soda in their crackers. Before that, they often used cream of tartar, but baking soda was becoming more common and cheaper around the mid-19th century. Baking soda is a leavening agent, which is what makes the crackers light and airy. I guess that’s where the name “soda crackers” comes from – because of the baking soda.
As I was making my own batch, I thought about how much has changed since those early days. Back then, crackers were handmade. And it wasn’t just about convenience; I read that in ancient times, people like the Jews fleeing Egypt would make unleavened bread, like matzoh, because they didn’t have time to let it rise. Fast forward to now, and everything is mechanized. They used to sell crackers from barrels, but nowadays, production is all streamlined and localized.
Finally, my crackers were done. They were crispy, light, and had that familiar taste I love. While I was enjoying them, I couldn’t help but appreciate the long journey these simple crackers have taken through history. From a basic necessity to a mass-produced snack, soda crackers have certainly come a long way.
So, there you have it – my little adventure into the history of soda crackers. It’s pretty cool to think about how everyday things have such rich stories behind them. Who knew a simple cracker could be so fascinating?
