No Waffling here: March 25th is International Waffle Day!

Who can say no to the sweet and crunchy goodness of waffles? Waffles go well with anything, from syrup to ice cream to chicken. Some places even sell waffle fusion food, like waffle sandwiches. Waffles are the ultimate breakfast or dessert item. You can have it with a side of coffee or fruits or bacon. Top it with whipped cream or your favorite syrup or sprinkles, and you have got a fantabulous treat! Waffles are for everyone! Pancakes can have haters, but no one can ever deny a waffle! Waffles are sure to be a favorite for all age groups.

But what makes the waffle worthy of an International Day of Celebration?  Well, waffle day is actually a Swedish festival. It originally began as a religious celebration that takes place 3 months after Christmas. It was originally called ‘Vårfrudagen,’ which translates to ‘Our Lady’s Day’ (the Feast of the Annunciation). And a funny thing about the history of Waffle Day is that the name of the religious festival ‘Vårfrudagen’ was eventually confused with another Swedish word, ‘Våffeldagen.’ So, as time went by, people started celebrating Waffle Day in Sweden by eating waffles all day. This is the history behind Waffle Day. Eventually, people forgot the religious festival ‘Vårfrudagen’ and started celebrating ‘Våffeldagen.’

The origin of waffles goes back centuries, and evidence shows they can be dated all the way back to the middle ages. But it wasn’t until 1869 that American inventor Cornelius Swarthout patented the waffle iron. Another interesting fact is that the world’s largest waffle is 8 ft long. Hence waffles are more than just food, and they’re a part of history around the world.

Fun Fact: the record for most waffles eaten in 10 minutes is twenty-nine.

On International Waffle Day, we don’t only spend time munching on different kinds of waffles, but you could also nod to its religious roots and take time to thank God for the dish.  At the very least, we all need to remember remember to thank the bakers who helped make this meal of comfort. Waffles are easy to make, they are delicious, and they can be made into a huge menu of unique dishes. From young to old, i.e., all walks of life, waffles are adored by all. So on March 25th, get into the holiday spirit and enjoy waffles with your family this year!

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Photo Credit:  Elena Veselova / Shutterstock.com