Pancakes are flat, thin, and usually round, batter-based, pie-like foods. They usually contain eggs, flour, butter and milk and are cooked in a pan or griddle. In North America, pancakes are made with a leavening agent to cause them to rise, while in Britain they are much thinner like a pancake. Although they are commonly served for breakfast, they can be eaten at any time of the day. Commonly used ingredients include fruit, syrup, jam, and in some cases meat or chocolate chips. They have been around since before the ancient Greeks started making them, in the 5th century, and the Romans are believed to have made them as early as the 1st century AD.
The Middle English word pancake appears in English in the 15th century.
The Ancient Romans called pancakes ‘Alita Dolcia’ which means ‘another sweet’.
William Shakespeare liked pancakes, often mentioning them in his plays.
Southerners in the United States account for roughly 32.5% of all pancakes eaten in the country.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “flat as a pancake”, has been a catchphrase since at least 1611.
Mardi Gras and International Pancake Day fall on the same day. This is also called Shrove Tuesday in observation of the day before Lent begins.
Maple syrup which is often used as a topping, was originally a sweet drink which was discovered by the Algonquin Indians.
Blodplattar is a Swedish pancake dish that is made of pork blood.
The first ready-mix food which was sold commercially was Aunt Jemima pancake flour. It was invented in 1889 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Eating the most pancakes won’t earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as this category does not exist yet.
The record for the highest pancake toss is 9.47m (31ft 1in) made in New York in 2010.
Some artists create images of celebrities with their batter that look very much like the person.
The biggest pancake in the world weighed 6,614 pounds and was over 49 feet in diameter.
Potato pancakes fried in oil are made during Hanukkah to represent the miraculous oil lamp of the Jewish holiday.
The Guinness World Record for the most pancakes served in 8 hours by a team is 34,818.
In the United States maple syrup is a favourite pancake topping. More than 3 million gallons is produced in most years.
If you take a trip to the Magic Kingdom and stop in for breakfast at Frontierland’s River Belle Terrace, you’ll be treated to pancakes in the shape of Mickey Mouse.
In 2010 Dominic Cuzzecrea flipped a pancake 31’1″ to set a world record for highest pancake toss.
The town of Olney in England hosts an annual pancake race in celebration of “Pancake Day.” They’ve done it every year since 1445.
In Disney’s Magic Kingdom at River Belle Terrace, pancakes can be served in a Mickey Mouse shape.
The world’s most expensive pancakes are made by the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel’s five star Opus restaurant. Their pancakes have pink champagne, lobster, truffles and caviar. The dish costs $1,166 per serving.
Since 1445 the town of Olney in England has been celebrating Pancake Day with an annual pancake race.
Pancake syndrome is an allergic reaction which some people have after eating pancakes in tropical regions where certain mites can contaminate the flour in pancake.
Two pancakes served with butter and maple syrup carries about 520 calories.
In Sweden you can order Blodplättar, which are pancakes made of pork blood.
The biggest pancake in the world weighed 6,614 pounds and was over 49 feet in diameter.
The French crêpe is thin and crispy. It is folded or rolled and heated in a sauce of sugar, butter, citrus juice and liqueur.
The most expensive pancake in the world is made with 24 carat gold leaf and Madagascan vanilla pods and is sold at Opus in England’s Printworks, for $200.
It is common in France to touch the handle of the frying pan and to make a wish while the pancake is turned, holding a coin in one hand.
In the Horn of Africa pancakes are known as injera or canjeero.
In the United States, southerners eat the most pancakes, accounting for 32.5% of the pancake consumption.
In Kenya pancakes are an alternative to bread at breakfast.
In Canada and the United States, pancakes are often eaten for breakfast with butter and syrup.
Pancakes in South Africa are actually crepes.
Blinis are yeasted pancakes, usually from Russia, that are made from buckwheat flour and served with sour cream, jam, honey or caviar.
In China pancakes are made with dough instead of batter.
The potato pancakes that are traditionally served during Hanukkah are friend in oil as a reminder of the miraculous oil lamp that the Jewish holiday celebrates.
Indonesian pancakes are made with coconut milk and rice flour.
January 28th is National Blueberry Pancake Day.
Japanese pancakes are made with egg, flour, and cabbage.
September 26th is National Pancake Day.
On Pancake Day in Britain it is estimated that 52 million eggs are consumed.
The first pancake recipe appeared in an English cookbook in the fifteenth century.
The record for most pancake flips in two minutes is 349.
Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli in 2005 year set the world record for the highest pancake toss at 329cm.
The French make a wish before flipping their pancakes. They flip the pancake with one hand and hold a coin in the other.
One pancake fan ran a marathon while continually tossing a pancake for three hours, two minutes and twenty seven seconds.
Strange pancake toppings include sour cream, caviar, ketchup, mustard, and peanut butter.
A fairly new trend that has emerged just recently are pancakes sandwiches.
The record for most pancakes served in eight hours is 34,818, according the Guinness World Record book.
Pancakes are often made on griddle, that is because griddle cooking is quite older than baking.
