Frequently Asked Questions About
Waffles

Answers:
1.  Who invented waffles?

According to Wikipedia and other sources, the invention of waffles can't really be credited to only one person.  They were more a product of technological advances in metal smithing, and evolved from wafers.  The difference between wafers and waffles is mainly thickness and recipes.

The invention of the electric waffle iron, is another story.  According to About.com, the electric waffle iron was patented by Cornelius Swarthout in 1869.

There are many different types of waffles.  Recipes and shapes vary too much to list them all, and as soon as there was a list, someone would invent something new.  So we'll focus on the main ones.

Waffles generally come in two categories: the sweet and the savory.  The sweet are either sweet themselves, or made to carry sweet additions such as syrup, icecream, and such.  The savory are either salty themselves, or made to carry or go with savory additions.

Sweet waffles can be thin and cookie-like, or soft and puffy, or somewhere in between.  Savory waffles tend to be the thicker, softer type.

Not all waffles are gridiron patterned.  Some are shaped like little cups, or cartoon characters.  Basically what makes a waffle a waffle is that it has deep impressions, and was cooked between two plates.

See Wikipedia's page on waffles for photos and additional information.

Of the soft varieties, there are three ways to leaven or puff them.  One is with yeast, which is the old fashioned traditional way.  Another is with eggs.  The one in which buttermilk is important, is the sort that is leavened with baking soda.

Baking soda pancakes and waffles are lighter than the ones made with egg or yeast as the puffing agent.  Americans tend to prefer these because they are a little crispy when re-toasted, but also soft on the inside.  The thing is, something has to activate the baking soda, and this is acid.  The acid in buttermilk causes the baking soda to "fizz", and make air pockets in the waffles, which give it the light texture.

Yes you can.  Aside of the obvious substitution of tofu for the eggs and soy milk for milk, you can use coconut.  Finely grated coconut makes both pancakes and waffles lighter and puffier even without the use of tofu or soy milk.  Try adding a cup of grated coconut for every 2 cups of flour.

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