Sandwiches have become an essential component of global food tradition. They are flexible for preparation and consumption, which puts them among the most common food items for many people’s regular diets. Sandwiches as food items, have undergone changes in their ingredient compositions, appearances and taste by following the changing trends of the people and  the economic status of the population. Here we look at the origins of sandwiches, choice of fillings, and their role in today’s economy.

History of the Sandwich

The simple sandwich that most of us enjoy today has a pretty interesting background. As the name suggests, the term ‘sandwich’ came from the 4th Earl of Sandwich who was an English nobleman of the 18th century. It is said that obsessed gambler, John Montagu wished to dine without moving from his gaming table on an occasion in 1762. He told his valet to bring him a piece of meat sandwiched between two slices of bread. This convenient meal let him eat without worrying about soiling his cards, or having greasy fingers. This concept soon spread to London and other parts of the country and thus the name ‘Sandwich’ became synonymous with such a type of food.

In the 19th century, the tradition of taking sandwiches as food items became popular in England and Spain. The new industrial revolution led to the need for swift, mobile, and cheap foods and in this regard, sandwiches met all the requirements. Food stalls, especially those that sold ham sandwiches began to appear in London by 1850 and the sandwich bars as eating joints began to spring up across Western Europe.

Global Variations

Sandwiches have evolved through different cultures and though the years, distinctive food combinations  have been created to to be used as fillings. Some notable examples include::

Banh Mi (Vietnam): This sandwich uses French baguettes and has Vietnamese elements such as picked vegetables, cilantro and meat.

Doner Kebab (Turkey): The doner kebab is a common street food with thinly sliced meat that is prepared from a vertical spit, accompanied by vegetables and sauces, and wrapped in flatbread.

Katsu Sando (Japan): A very classic sandwich that is a cutlet of pork breaded and fried that can be accompanied by tonkatsu sauce for that extra kick.

Vegemite Sandwich (Australia): This sandwich was immortalised by Australian band Men at Work in their hit song ‘Downunder.’ It comprises two slices of buttered bread spread with a paste derived from brewer’s yeast, known by generations as Vegemite and Originally named Parwill, it was introduced to the market as a competitor to the English Marmite.

Croque Monsieur (France): A French staple sandwich that consists of ham and cheese, with béchamel sauce.

Smorrebrod (Denmark): A sandwich with pieces of bread on top and bottom, with fish, meat, or cheese placed neatly on the rye bread.

Leberkase (Germany): This sandwich is popular in Bavaria -, it consists of a local type of meatloaf served within a bun and is usually garnished with mustard.

Panino (Italy): An Italian specialty, Panino is made of cultured meat or cheese and different vegetables set between sliced ciabatta or focaccia

BLT (UK) : Bacon, lettuce and tomato are combined in this sandwich, which appeared in Good House Keeping Everyday in 1903. Over the past 50 years it has been known by the shorter  ‘BLT’ and is often favoured by dieters.

Preferred Fillings Today

Sandwiches today provide a variety in terms of fillings in order to suit various people. Here are some of the most popular fillings today:

Classic Deli Meats: Deli meats including ham, turkey, roast beef and salami are still standard fillings for many sandwiches and these are accompanied by cheese, lettuce, tomato, and dressing such as mustard and mayonnaise.

Vegetarian Options: As people have started opting for vegan diets more frequently, fillings such as avocado spread, grilled vegetables and plant based proteins to sandwiches have gained popularity.

Gourmet Ingredients: From salty and creamy cheeses and cured meats to exotic spreads and gourmet breads, the sandwich has become an art form.

Time honoured sandwiches in US and UK

United States

Sandwiches are one of the most widely used and popular foods in American cuisine. They are the time-honoured sandwich favourites such as the BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich), the club sandwich and the Reuben ( Corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on rye bread). 

The ubiquitous peanut and jelly sandwich is revered by Americans, especially the younger ones. It incorporates a layer of peanut butter and a spreadable fruit jelly such as strawberry or grape.

United Kingdom

The UK also has its own types of sandwiches; however, the most famous kinds are the afternoon tea sandwiches which are small and refined creations with fillings such as cucumber, egg, smoked salmon, and chicken salad. These sandwiches are known for their fine texture and are part of the tea traditions in Britain. A tradition at Buckingham Palace tea parties is to serve sliced cucumber sandwiches with the crusts removed. 

France

In France, the Croque Monsieur and its sister dish, the Croque Madame (a Croque Monsieur with a fried egg on top), are popular due to their indulgent taste and pleasing textures. Sandwiches made from freshly baked French baguettes with toppings of cheese, ham, and vegetables are also a favorite.

Italy

Panini can be described as sandwiches made of good quality ingredients and with very little seasoning. Some of the famous ones are proscuitto and mozzarella with tomato sauce served on ciabatta or focaccia.

Affordability and convenience fuel demand for sandwiches

Sandwiches are usually cheaper, which works in their favour when it comes to serving individuals and groups of people in lean economic times. This is because people love elegant dishes but covering their cost may be a challenge, and this has resulted in a move to meals that are prepared with cheaper ingredients but still give a satisfying taste. The convenience of sandwiches cannot be overstated. They are easy to prepare, transport, and consume; thus, they are suitable for the contemporary and often rushed lifestyle. This explains their fame until today as they can be easily accessed and consumed by both working people and students.

Health Considerations

As health concerns are gaining importance globally, more and more people are in search of healthier forms of sandwiches. As a result, more people are choosing wholemeal, sourdough and gluten free breads, skinless chicken and turkey, freshly prepared vegetables, and low fat products. To meet this demand, growing numbers of sandwich shops and delis are putting on healthier options.

Sustainability

With sustainability being an up-and-coming issue, there is a stronger focus on locally sourced and organic ingredients in sandwiches. Many environmentally aware consumers will look at various eco factors today and aim to avoid food wastage by buying sandwiches in recyclable packaging.

Presentation and Innovation

Two slices of bread with filling in between epitomises the simple and sometimes colourful  sandwich. Today social networking sites such as Instagram focus on the visual appeal of sandwiches and take the images viral. This concentration on the visual aspects has resulted in increased creative and innovative approaches to how a sandwich can be prepared and served. Innovative presentation styles include:

Gourmet Sandwiches

In recent years, specific sandwich shops and restaurants have been taking sandwiches up a notch – using better quality ingredients and a focus on gourmet/artistic preparation. Many of these gourmet sandwiches come with specialist breads, unique toppings or distinctive pairings of ingredients. They include chicken & avocado, salmon & cream cheese, grilled camebert & caramelised onion relish, ricotta and capsicum or assorted grilled vegetables. Aside from aesthetics, sandwiches have enhanced quality appeal to the consumer when ingredients are seasonal and sourced locally.

Deconstructed Sandwiches

This contemporary concept means serving the ingredients of a sandwich individually so that people can prepare their own custom made sandwiches. This approach can provide a more entertaining and innovative dining experience. For instance, a BLT disassembled sandwich typically includes thin slices of grilled or pan-fried bacon, lettuce leaves, tomato wedges and a choice of breads offered with multiple options of spreads and sauces. This style makes for an individually curated sandwich that ensures that the customer gets the type that they want..

Layered Aesthetics

These sandwiches are creatively layered in vibrant colours that satisfy the eyes as well as the palate. Chefs employ contrasting colours and the surface texture of food to help improve the aesthetic appeal of dishes. For instance, it is possible to have a sandwich with a colourful layer of red tomatoes followed by neatly arranged green avocado slices, a yellow cheese layer and a white layer of chicken breast. Additional garnishing with flowers, micro greens and other garnishes can add visual appeal.

Mini Sandwiches

Mini sandwiches are mostly served in gatherings such as parties, with finger foods a unique and enjoyable way to capture every taste. Such mini sandwiches are ideal for serving and can be arranged more professionally on trays. They can be as basic as mini sliders or as extravagant as a canapé and every one of them has a distinctive taste profile. Their miniature size enables chefs to be more creative in terms of taste and appearance, making them ideal for functions and parties. While the late Queen Elizabeth was known to favour cucumber sandwich with crusts removed for her guests, she was also very fond of mini jam sandwiches cut into a round shape the size of a penny.

Artistic Plating

Distinctive presentation can enhance the appeal of sandwiches. This can include presenting in rows comprised of a few sandwiches with one filling, and creating a pattern by repeating in rows containing different fillings. These can be arranged horizontally,in a circular style or some other symmetrical fashion, such as rows extending from a central point on a circular tray. Placing the sandwiches on a tray or plate covered with a doiley featuring eyelet edging adds visual appeal to the platter. Some chefs use squeeze bottles to produce artistic designs through the light application of sauces over the sandwiches and will  frequently place herbs or flowers on the plate to enhance the culinary elegance aspect.

 

Sandwiches in the cost-of-living economic environment

With the increasing cost of living, sandwiches will continue to be a favourable choice, because they are cheap and easy to prepare. Consumers now look for cheaper ingredients to ensure that sandwiches are affordable. Basic items such as eggs, canned tuna, and beans are not costly but rich in nutrients that are useful in sandwich making. The Coronation chicken sandwich that combines shredded chicken, mayonaisse, yoghurt and curry powder and the roast beef & horsradish sandwich can be an-the-go snack or a light meal in the UK while scrimpers maybe drawn to the likes of fish finger sandwiches with mayonaisse or tartare sauce, or fillings such as cheese with relish or pickles.,

 Downunder, sandwiches containing simple ham; silverside & mustard; cheese & pickles; tomato & onion and assorted sliced meats with relish can be bought fairly cheaply. Toasted sandwiches, with varieties like ham, ham & cheese and tomato & onion sandwiches have long been a staple with coffee at cafes and are not too hard on the pocket. At home, various meats, cheeses and vegetables can be packed between two slices of bread and sauteed in a pan, grilled or pressed in a jaffle iron. The result is an individual toasted sandwich that costs a lot less than store bought alternatives.

 In the US, peanut butter & jelly, bologna and banana sandwiches are popular when there is budgetary restraint. Among “brown paper bag sandwiches” aimed at keeping costs down are roast beef & cheddar cheese, salami, egg salad and tuna fillings.

The sandwich is the ideal convenience food that will deliver on flavour, visual appeal and freshness. In addition to store bought varieties, they can also be prepared be at home at a lower cost. One of the most popular foods served across the globe today, we should pause and remember how the humble sandwich started with a simple desire of an 18th-century gambler for a quick meal. ends