Fig roll: Difference between revisions
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==Mass production== |
==Mass production== |
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{{main|Fig Newton}} |
{{main|Fig Newton}} |
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Up until the late 1800's, many [[physician]]s believed that most illnesses were related to [[digestion]] problems, and hence recommended a daily intake of [[biscuits]] and fruit. Although an ideal solution for this problem, until this time fig rolls were still a locally made and hand produced product |
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However, still at this time, the fig roll was still a non-standard product made by hand. In 1891, fig lover and part-time nutritionist, [[American]] [[Charles M. Roser]], developed a machine to insert fig paste into a dough roll. having been granted a [[patent]] on his machine in 1892, he called his product '''Newtons,''' named after the local town of [[Newton, Massachusetts]].<ref name=EnAFD/> |
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[[Image:Fig newton2.jpg|thumb|right|A plastic tray of Fig Newtons]] |
[[Image:Fig newton2.jpg|thumb|right|A plastic tray of Fig Newtons]] |
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The mass production of the fig roll was created in 1891 by [[Philadelphia]] baker and fig lover [[Charles M. Roser]], who in 1892 was created a patent over a machine which inserted fig creme into dough. Naming his product '''Newtons''' after the local town of [[Newton, Massachusetts]], he approached the [[Cambridgeport, Massachusetts]] based Kennedy Biscuit Company, who agreed to take on production and sales. |
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Roser approached the Kennedy Biscuit Company, who agreed to manufacture and sell the product. However, they decided that the name was not marketable enough, and so renamed it the '''Fig Newton.''' In 1899 the Kennedy Biscuit Company merged with others to form the National Biscuit Company, which later became [[Nabisco]].<ref>http://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventions/a/Fig_Newton.htm</ref> |
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Kennedy Biscuit Company had recently become associated with the New York Biscuit Company, and after merger to form [[Nabisco]], trade marked the product as the clearly name '''Fig Newton.'''<ref>http://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventions/a/Fig_Newton.htm</ref> |
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Now a [[trademark]]ed product of [[Nabisco]], Fig Newtons unusual shape is a characteristic that has been adopted by many competitors, such as the generic fig bars sold by most supermarkets, and [[Newman's Own]] [[Fig Newmans]] (an [[organic food|organic]] variety). |
Now a [[trademark]]ed product of [[Nabisco]], Fig Newtons unusual shape is a characteristic that has been adopted by many competitors, such as the generic fig bars sold by most supermarkets, and [[Newman's Own]] [[Fig Newmans]] (an [[organic food|organic]] variety). |
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Revision as of 06:40, 15 January 2010
The Fig roll is an ancient Eygptian pastry, filled with fig paste.
The modern fig roll and its mass popularity can be traced to the development of industrial production by American Charles M. Roser in 1892, now marketed by Nabisco as the Fig Newton.
History
Figs are a popular and handy natural snack food in most of the world. Originating in northern Asia Minor, traded by the sailors and explorers of developing countries, they became popular in the lower and hence hotter parts of the Mediteranean.
As baking developed, the ability to increase the duration and storage of foods stuffs allowed longer distances to be travel. It was hence probably the early Egyptians who invented the fig roll, it simply being preserved figs in a flour based dough covering.
Figs were highly traded and fought over during the development of the great trade routes during the 1400's to 1600's. Christopher Columbus devoted a complete page to what a wonderful time it would be when he would be able to gorge himself on figs in the orient, while Marco Polo described women in association with the beauty of Figs. It was also during this period that Figs reached North America, when the Spanish reached the island of Hispanola in 1520.[1]
Mass production
Up until the late 1800's, many physicians believed that most illnesses were related to digestion problems, and hence recommended a daily intake of biscuits and fruit. Although an ideal solution for this problem, until this time fig rolls were still a locally made and hand produced product
The mass production of the fig roll was created in 1891 by Philadelphia baker and fig lover Charles M. Roser, who in 1892 was created a patent over a machine which inserted fig creme into dough. Naming his product Newtons after the local town of Newton, Massachusetts, he approached the Cambridgeport, Massachusetts based Kennedy Biscuit Company, who agreed to take on production and sales.
Kennedy Biscuit Company had recently become associated with the New York Biscuit Company, and after merger to form Nabisco, trade marked the product as the clearly name Fig Newton.[2]
Now a trademarked product of Nabisco, Fig Newtons unusual shape is a characteristic that has been adopted by many competitors, such as the generic fig bars sold by most supermarkets, and Newman's Own Fig Newmans (an organic variety).
Footnotes and references
- ^ John F. Mariani (1999). The Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink. Lebhar-Friedman, New York.
- ^ http://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventions/a/Fig_Newton.htm