The sandwich is among the most quintessential foods known to man nowadays, but, believe it or not, sandwiches didn’t always exist. As a matter of fact, this meal option, which can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, came into being relatively recently, in the 1700s. As you read this brief guide, you will learn more about the origin of the sandwich.
Who invented the sandwich?
Englishman John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, was born in 1718 and died in 1792. Although the precise circumstances of the invention of the modern sandwich are subject to some measure of debate among historians, the general consensus is that the Earl, infamous for his gambling habit, would enjoy meat and bread at the card table. As the story goes, others in Montagu’s circle began ordering, “The same as Sandwich,” thus giving rise to the sandwich we know and love today.
What are some statistics regarding sandwiches?
Sandwiches are the subject of a number of intriguing statistics, most of which you have probably never heard before! For example, on any given day, half of all Americans eat a sandwich for at least one meal; that totals an astounding 300 million sandwiches. Furthermore, on average, Americans eat 2,984 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches over the course of their lives.
The world’s longest-ever sandwich was a 2,411-foot creation made by three teams in Lebanon in 2011. It took 22 hours and over 600 volunteers to craft the sandwich! In regard to weight, the heaviest sandwich ever created weighed-in at a whopping 5,440 pounds. It was made in Roseville, Michigan in 2005. Throughout the United States, National Sandwich Day is celebrated on November 3. Many restaurants celebrate the occasion with special deals on their sandwich offerings, so keep your eyes peeled in your area!
What are the most popular types of sandwiches?
As you might have surmised from the previous paragraph, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are some of the most popular in the United States. Other common sandwich options include subs, which are usually made in delis, turkey and Swiss cheese sandwiches, and ham and cheese sandwiches. Breakfast sandwiches, often featuring some combination of sausage, eggs, and cheese, have enjoyed a rise in popularity in recent years.
Gourmet Sandwich Options at Earl of Sandwich
At Earl of Sandwich, we love crafting new and innovative gourmet sandwiches, especially around the holidays. The Holiday Turkey is a crowd pleaser that includes a wide-variety of ingredients ranging from salty to sweet. Filled with turkey, mayo, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy, it’s like taking a bite out of Thanksgiving.
Available for a limited time only, our Holiday Ham is another can’t miss sandwich bursting with flavor. Cheddar, thinly sliced ham, and cranberry sauce on artisan bread is what you can expect when biting into this innovative sub.
That’s not all we offer, Earl of Sandwich makes salads, fresh daily along with wraps and breakfast sandwiches. If you’re an early riser, start your day off right with a sandwich at Earl of Sandwich. Ready to grab a bite at Earl of Sandwich? Browse our locations to stop by an Earl of Sandwich near you.