No matter how refined your tastebuds are or how expert-level your baking skills, one of the most indulgent baked goods originating from the United States remains chocolate brownies. There’s just something about a chewy brownie that makes you feel like you’re eight years old again.
The recipe for these feel-good treats was invented by Fanny Farmer, who simply adapted her chocolate cookies to be fit in a rectangular pan. Another saga surrounding chocolate brownies’ origins talks about a chef accidentally adding too much chocolate into the batter. Either way, we’re happy for this accidental attempt at cookies that turned into something much more comforting.
Ice Popsicles
The Popsicle invention story is an interesting one. One night, in San Francisco in 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson was playing with his water and powdered soda mix; he left it out on his porch overnight, with the wooden stirrer still inside. When he returned to the mixture the next morning, the mixture was frozen to the stick, and as any 11-year-old would do, he tasted it, then quickly realizing what a radical discovery he'd made.
Frank had invented the Popsicle, which he presented to the American public in 1922 and then patented in 1924, which he sold to Popsicle sometime after 1929. So each summer, when you quickly eat up a Popsicle to cool yourself down, it's all thanks to Epperson's happy accident.
Worcestershire Sauce
You might have trouble pronouncing it, but it's most likely something you may have used as a condiment or as an ingredient while following a recipe. According to one story, it was first invented by iconic Worcestershire sauce brand, Lea & Perrins. After a nobleman returned to England from a journey to India, he hired John Lea and William Perrins to recreate a sauce he'd tasted while traveling.
Their first attempt proved quite bitter and unpleasant, but the pair kept their concoction anyway. After tasting it again, they realized that maturing it had worked wonders and that now they had formulated something quite unique. It was first bottled in Worcester at the Lea & Perrins pharmacy, imparting it its name.
Nutella
When it comes to sweet spreads, nobody quite compares to Nutella. The creamy, chocolatey spread infused with hazelnuts has been winning over mankind's hearts since it was first slathered on top of the bread. You may think it's something that showed up on the scene quite recently, but it's actually more than half a century old.
An Italian baker, Pietro Ferrero, was busy creating a chocolate alternative in the 1940s due to shortages during World War II. Little did Petro know that his mixture of hazelnuts, sugar, and a smidgen of cocoa would inspire a popular staple that has built its own cult following.
Potato Chips
While potato chips weren't exactly invented by accident, them becoming the enduring popular snack they are today definitely was. In New York, a hotel chef invented potato chips after a customer sent back his fried potatoes and complained about them being too thick and soggy. The chef, George Crum, offended by the comment, made ultra-thin slices out of potatoes and over-cooked them.
These chips were served out of spite, but the very particular customer was so delighted with the crispy potato slices that they were eager to spread the word about this delicious snack and the chef who made it. Without Crum's impatience and eagerness to fight back, your favorite savory snack may never have been invented at all.