Graham crackers are a type of cracker made with graham flour that originated in the United States in the mid-19th century, with commercial development from about 1880. They are eaten as a snack food, usually honey- or cinnamon-flavored, and are used as an ingredient in some foods, such as in the graham cracker crust for cheesecakes and pies. Here are some interesting facts about graham crackers:
- Graham crackers were invented by Sylvester Graham, a 19th-century health advocate who promoted the use of whole grains for a fiber-rich diet.
- The original graham crackers were almost entirely hand-ground, whole-wheat flour, and were intended to be not only healthful but biblically correct.
- Graham crackers were initially marketed as a health food, but they eventually shed their original identity as sensible survival rations to become a cherished treat.
- Most graham crackers today are made using whole wheat flour or graham flour, brown sugar or honey, and flavored with cinnamon.
- Graham cracker crumbs are used to create graham cracker crusts for fruit pies and moon pies, and as a base, layer, or topping for cheesecake.
In summary, graham crackers are a type of lightly sweetened, whole wheat-based cracker that originated in the United States and are used in a variety of desserts and snacks.
