Are you here to know why Graham crackers were invented? Or just because the latest trend on Twitter told you to research it? The viral tweet asks you to research “why were Graham crackers invented”, and then share on the networking site what you’ve just found out.
Users on Twitter found out the reason to be hilarious. Warning though. If you keep on reading, you might never look at Graham crackers the same way again.
So what is the reason behind the Graham crackers’ invention?
Today, Graham crackers are used as an ingredient for making s’mores, pies, or cakes. But these baked goods were invented not because of this. These baked goods were originally created to reduce sex desires. Yep, read it right.
Seriously.
The history of Graham crackers
The history of Graham crackers started in the 19th century, when mass production of food was becoming a norm. This advancement in technology led to less healthy food—especially in making bread. However, Reverend Sylvester Graham, a dietary reformer, believed that humans should live a vegetarian diet as it could control sexual desire, exactly the way how God intended humans to live.
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He also believed that lust could cause illnesses such as epilepsy and insanity.
So through his preaching, he made the Graham flour (whole wheat flour) popular. This way, households could be encouraged to make the Graham bread, the original version of the Graham crackers we know today.
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But unlike the flat, dry baked food we enjoy now, the original Graham crackers were totally bland. No sugar, cinnamon, or honey to sweeten it. Although the bread was fiber-rich and additives-free.
But despite it, his advocacy was proven a success when the “Grahamism” movement formed. The followers called “Grahamites” claimed that eating a bland diet had stopped them from having impure thoughts. Furthermore, he influenced several popular people. In fact, through Graham’s teachings, John Harvey Kellogg introduced bland food products for vegetarians.
