Pancakes is so popular that it has its own day, known as Pancake Tuesday, which is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday. In 2019, 162 million Americans said that they had eaten frozen pancakes that year.

The top 10 pancake mixes in the US, according to Good Housekeeping are:

1. Dancing Deer Baking Co. Old-Fashioned Buttermilk 
2. Krusteaz Light & Fluffy Complete Buttermilk 
3. Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk 
4. Maple Grove Farms Buttermilk & Honey 
5. Aunt Jemima 
6. Stonewall Kitchen Buttermilk 
7. Birch Benders Classic Recipe
8. Arrowhead Mills Buttermilk
9. Cherrybrook Kitchen Original 
10. Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk & Honey 

Origin of pancakes

This, or something very similar to them, are also likely to have been part of Otzi the Iceman’s diet over 5,300 years ago. Historians suggest that primitive grinding tools indicate that flour was made as far back as the Stone Age. However, the first written record of pancakes was in Greece around 600 BC. In the 12th century, this dish became a way for people to use up dairy products before lent on Shrove Tuesday. By the middle of the 15th century, pancake races began in the UK and would become a long-standing tradition.

Different European countries have their version of the pancake, ranging from the crêpe in France to the pannenkoeken in the Netherlands. While these versions vary from country to country, European immigrants brought their love for this dish to the American colonies. In 1796, recipes for flapjacks, hoecakes, and the Indian slapjack appeared in Amelia Simmon’s renowned American Cookery book. By the late 19th century, the flapjack became commonly known as the pancake and shortly thereafter maple syrup became a popular topping. In the 1930s, Bisquick was introduced in the US, making cooking pancakes easier for Americans all over the country.

Nutrition

As pancakes are traditionally served with butter and syrup, they can have a high calorie and carbohydrate count. A stack of two pancakes, topped with butter and sugar, can have:

Because this dish is usually consumed with foods such as sausage, bacon, or eggs, it can become a high-fat breakfast. For a healthier option, choose whole wheat flour and fruit as a topping rather than syrup. This dish should be consumed in moderation alongside a good diet and regular exercise.

Commercial production

This classic breakfast dish can be purchased as a dry mix, premade batter, or pre-cooked cakes. Dry mixes combine ingredients such as flour, baking soda, and sugar then are sealed, packaged, and sent to stores. Premade batters go one step further by adding milk, egg, and other stabilizing liquid ingredients. These batters have a shorter shelf life due to the presence of eggs and dairy.

Pre-cooked pancakes are made in food factories using large mixers, conveyor belts, ovens, and freezers designed for commercial production. Ingredients are first mixed to create a batter which is then squeezed out onto the conveyor belt to create the right shape. The conveyor belt helps flatten out the cake while transporting it to the oven to cook. Once it’s cooked, the pancakes are chilled, packaged, and stored in a freezer before being sent to stores.

Application/Uses

Paired with sweet toppings and a tasty syrup, a pancake breakfast can make anyone smile. To ensure the full enjoyment of this dish, it’s best to store these cakes properly. If you have leftovers, you should place them in an airtight container. Once sealed, they can be put in the refrigerator and kept there for 2-3 days. In the freezer, well-stored pancakes can safely last up to 3 months.

Pancakes recipes

This hot dish can be enjoyed with any filling or topping. Here are some popular recipes.

• Buttermilk pancake
• Chocolate chip pancakes
• Lemon ricotta pancakes
• Blueberry pancake
• Gluten-free buckwheat pancakes

FDA Regulation

The Food & Drug Administration has strict labeling regulations that apply to all processed foods. Pancakes that are commercially produced must correctly label their weight, serving sizes, and ingredients. This food must also be labeled with a dual column to include added ingredients that increase nutritional values after further preparation.

References

Rupp, Rebecca. “Hot off the Griddle, Here’s the History of Pancakes.” The Long, Surprising History of Pancakes, 1 Mar. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/food/the-plate/2014/05/21/hot-off-the-griddle-heres-the-history-of-pancakes/.

“The Unofficial Happy History of Pancakes.” Betty Crocker Kitchens, bettycrocker.com. 21 Feb. 2014, www.bettycrocker.com/menus-holidays-parties/mhplibrary/seasonal-ideas/the-unofficial-happy-history-of-pancakes.

“CFR – Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.” Food & Drug Administration, accessdata.fda.gov, 1 Apr. 2019, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=101.12

“Food Labeling: Serving Sizes of Foods That Can Reasonably Be Consumed At One Eating Occasion; Dual-Column Labeling; Updating, Modifying, and Establishing Certain Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed; Serving Size for Breath Mints; and Technical Amendments: Guidance for Industry Small Entity Compliance Guide.” Food & Drug Administration, fda.gov, 1 Feb. 2018, https://www.fda.gov/media/111144/download