What do Napoleon and Queen Elizabeth I have to do with canning, can openers and cookie cutters? You may be shocked to learn their contributions to kitchen technology. Join Kim and Leigh as they uncover the history that may surprise you.
Cookie Cutters & Can Openers
Break out your favorite cookie cutters and tune into As We Eat Episode 29 as we take on the fabulous origins of two kinds of cutters – one for cookies and the other for cans.
Leigh traces the origins of outline cutters from Germany and The Netherlands to Great Britain and over the seas to the new world.
In this episode, Kim recounts the genesis of canning, and we take a sharp look at the evolution of the tin opener – watch out for jagged edges!
Queen Elizabeth I and Cookie Cutters
Cookie cutters as we know them today were popularized in the 1500s during the reign of England’s Queen Elizabeth I who, we all know, loved a great gingerbread biscuit. Leigh traces the origins of outline cutters from Germany and The Netherlands to Great Britain and over the seas to the new world.
We discuss the broad array of available shapes from the auspicious heart, diamond, club, and spade shapes that we commonly associate with playing card suits all the way to modern interpretations of popular and trademarked characters from our favorite animations.
The same materials we use to cut dough into festive shapes like trees, stars, and bells is ultimately the same that we used to envelop all manner of stews, vegetables, fruits, and soups to feed hungry troops.
General Bonaparte’s Quest for Preservation = the Can Opener
Another culinary invention in the time of Generale Bonaparte, canned or tinned foods helped to keep the armies of the world on their toes and heels.
Despite all the marvelous thought and science that went into canning foods for storage or transport, the can opener as we know it now took its sweet time debuting in our kitchens. In this episode, Kim recounts the genesis of canning, and we take a sharp look at the evolution of the tin opener – watch out for jagged edges!
Kitchen Technology Transcript
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Sources We Found Helpful for this Episode
Books We Think You’ll Enjoy Reading
Recipes You Really Need to Try
Ginger Snap Cookies – As We Eat
Strawberry Rhubarb Jam – Family Spice
Gingerbread Cookies – Chez Us
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What’s In Your Pantry - A 4,000 year old spice, Flamingos, and the Royal Road
School Lunches: Lunch Pails, Federal Programs, and Best and Worst Lunch Memories
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Kitchen Technology