"From Invention to Perfection: Unraveling the Fascinating Journey of the Sandwich" Sources: 1. "The History of the Sandwich: Who Really Invented It?" by Amanda Foreman, The Wall Street Journal 2. "Th

Sandwich: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich This humble sandwich, loved by children and adults alike, is a classic American creation. While it's sometimes taken for granted today, the PB&J has a history just as rich as its ingredients. According to history, the original bread-and-spread sandwich actually dates back to ancient times, where different types of breads and pastes have been consumed together. However, the modern concept of a sandwich was named after John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, an 18th-century English aristocrat. Peanut butter, a key part of the PB&J, was developed independently by not one, but two American inventors: Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, better known for his Kellogg's cereal, in 1895 and George Washington Carver in the early 1900s. They mass-produced a simple, vegetarian protein substitute that could be made at home, which quickly gained popularity. Now, jelly's precise history is slightly harder to trace, as it has been a staple in culinary tradition for hundreds, if not thousands of years. But in its American incarnation, grape jelly was first commercially sold in 1918 by the Concord grape company Welch's, originally marketed as "Grapelade". The first known reference to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, specifically, is from American soldiers during World War II, who were sent rations of both peanut butter and jelly, among other things. They combined the two on bread and a classic sandwich was born. Over the years, the sandwich has changed and evolved with society. Now, there are alternatives to every ingredient in the PB&J, from whole grain breads to cashew butter, and from artisanal jams to honey. Despite the changes, its popularity has not faded, with an estimated 50% of Americans still consuming PB&J sandwiches regularly. As for an interesting fact, April 2nd is annually celebrated as National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day in the United States, an ode to this beloved sandwich. Sources: 1. Benson, E. (2013). BraveTart: Peanut Butter Jelly Time. Serious Eats. https://www.seriouseats.com/2013/04/bravetart-history-of-peanut-butter-jelly-sandwich.html 2. Lou, J. (2019) The Legacy of George Washington Carver. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/legacy-of-dr-george-washington-carver-1991964 3. The Henry Ford (n.d.). Model T Recipes: Peanut Butter. https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/blog/model-t-recipes-peanut-butter. 4. National Day Calendar (n.d.). National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-peanut-butter-and-jelly-day-april-2/.