Buzz
While Americans adore their hamburgers, they usually don't include ham. Image: Westend61/Getty ImagesThe quick answer: It’s named after Hamburg, Germany. This is curious when you consider that the frankfurter (or hot dog) originated in Frankfurt, Germany (see What are hot dogs made of? for details). Imagine why French Fries managed to outshine German Fries...
The history of the hamburger begins with the Tatars, a nomadic group that invaded central Asia and Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. The Tatars consumed raw shredded beef, which later became known as "steak tartare." One tale suggests they tenderized their beef by placing it between their saddle and horse while riding. Upon introducing this dish to Germany, it was spiced, cooked, and called Hamburg steak. German immigrants brought Hamburg steak to America, and it appeared on New York restaurant menus in the 1880s. Hamburgers became incredibly popular as sandwiches during the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.
Founded in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas, White Castle holds the title of the world’s oldest hamburger restaurant chain. The hamburger’s rise to fame in the U.S. surged after World War II, as drive-in restaurants gained popularity, fueled by the growing number of cars. McDonald's, originally a hamburger stand in San Bernardino, California, helped spread hamburgers worldwide. Now the largest restaurant chain globally, with over 26,000 locations in 119 countries, McDonald's has served billions of hamburgers.
Here are some intriguing links for you to explore:
- How Food Works
- How Fats Work
- How Fat Cells Work
- How Calories Work
- How Dieting Works
- What are hot dogs made of?
