Originating in Ancient Rome
The fact that the history of the hamburger can be traced back to the Roman Empire doesn’t come as a surprise to us at all. After all, so many other great inventions originated there as well. It’s assumed that Romans would mix ground beef, pepper, nuts, and wine back in the 1st CE century. And that was the beginning of the burger, but it would be years before people would enjoy the hamburger as we know it today.
Over the Years
Archivists have discovered links to hamburgers from 13th-century Mongols. Horseback riders would ride with raw meat under their saddles, applying pressure so that it was safe to eat without cooking. In the 18th century, and English cookbook was found with a recipe for a smoked sausage made of minced beef, which later became known as the “Hamburg” sausage.
The Hamburger We Know and Love
The progression of the hamburger as we know it was nearly complete by the 19th century when the “Hamburg steak” became a successful dish. The dish consisted of a slab of minced and salted beef that was mixed with onions and breadcrumbs. It was brought to the United States by German settlers and evolved into the dish we all know and love. In 1900, the first American hamburger was served by Louis Lassen. He was the first to combine the patty with bread, which became popular after the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis. As it turns out, the hamburger made its way across the world before turning into what it is today. Thankfully, the dish was brought to the masses, and now we can all enjoy a classic hamburger almost anywhere in the world!
