Cracker (food)
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A cracker is a dry, thin, crispy, and savory biscuit that developed from military hardtack and nautical ship biscuits.
In 1801 Josiah Bent began a baking operation in Milton, Massachusetts, selling "water crackers" or biscuits made of flour and water that would not deteriorate during long sea voyages from the port of Boston. The crackling sound occurred during baking, hence the name. This is where the American term "cracker" originated. His company later sold the original hardtack crackers used by troops during the American Civil War. The company is still located in Milton and continues to sell these items to Civil War reenactors and others.
The holes in crackers are called "docking" holes. The holes are placed in the dough to stop air pockets from forming in the cracker while baking.
Crackers are most often savory and salted rather than sweet. They sometimes have cheese or spices as ingredients, or even chicken stock.
Brands including Captain's Wafers, Club Crackers, Town House Crackers, Ritz Crackers, Cream crackers and Water biscuits are used spread with cheese, pâté, or mousse.
Saltine and oyster crackers are often used in or served with soup.
Mock apple pie is made from Ritz (or similar) crackers.
Animal crackers are often argued to be a hard cookie and not a real cracker; however, the manner in which animal crackers are made (layered dough) classifies them as crackers.
Graham crackers are also eaten as a cookie, although they were invented for their supposed health benefits.
A popular snack is crackers with Cheese as a topping.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Cracker Doctor
- Website of Bent's Cookie Factory in Milton, MA, purveyors of "water crackers" and hardtack during the American Civil War
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