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The Fascinating History of the Delicatessen

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History of the delicatessen

What Is a Delicatessen?

All over the world, delicatessens (colloquially known as delis) are known to be welcoming and accessible eateries where people go to buy their favorite type of cured meats or grab a quick bite.

Most European and American cities have delicatessens that serve top-quality meats that have been cured meticulously and prepared using recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.

These delicatessens serve their most popular meats along with fresh sandwiches and warm and hearty soups. You will also be able to find high-quality cheeses, bread, and other classic meat products at a deli.

The people of the United States, especially from cities like Philadelphia and New York City, revere delis as a key part of pop culture. Delicatessens are among the most trusted places to eat and enjoy a healthy and nutritious meal in the country. There are two main types of delis to choose from in the United States of America: Italian delis and Jewish delis.

History of the Italian Delicatessen

One of the most exciting culinary experiences you can have in New York City is in an Italian Deli. An Italian deli offers a sensory overload of wonderful sights, sounds, and smells. You will be able to detect the sharp and pungent smell of provolone in the air and see giant slabs of mouth-watering soppressata, mortadella, and prosciutto.

The crunch of crispy and fresh bread will invite you to try an unforgettable Italian deli sandwich, while the sharp red color of the homemade lasagne will also tempt you to take a bite. You can also buy a variety of peppers, olives, sodas, and pastas from an Italian deli.

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Italian cold-cut meats or salumi are considered to be one of the most incredible ingredients you can add to your sandwich or enjoy on charcuterie boards. The history of the cold cuts of meat can be traced back to Roman times when ham and prosciutto used to be popular items for a banquet or even sold as a street snack paired with bread.

Over time, people began to develop better techniques and recipes to cure meat to improve its flavor and make it last longer. At the time of the Renaissance, more seasonings were added to the cured and cooked meat recipes, and various regions presented different meat delicacies.

In the 1800s, these cured meats became a part of the people’s everyday diet, and many stores opened up in Italy’s small towns and large cities that specialized in curing and serving pork and veal.

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Most Popular Italian Deli Products Over the Years

Italian delis offer a lot more variety of products than Jewish delis. With an authentic and original taste, Italian delis are clearly distinct from Jewish delis due to the type of seasoning used and pork. Some of the most popular Italian Deli products you can still find at your local Italian deli are:

Ham

Ham was a luxurious meat product made from hog meat that was served on various social occasions in Roman times. Pork bellies, pork shoulders, cold cuts, and hams were also considered to be a kind of currency at the time of the Barbarian invasion.

Mortadella

Mortadella is a type of cold-cut made from ground pork, black and green peppercorns, and pistachios. It originates from Bologna, with the earliest mention of a similar sausage found in a document dated 1376. Mortadella is a favorite among children and tastes spectacular with different types of cheeses.

Pancetta

Pancetta has a different variation in every region of the Italian peninsula. The word pancetta comes from the Italian word for belly since it is made using pork belly. The pork belly is cleaned and preserved in a salt mixture called a brine. It is further seasoned and cured to help achieve a delicious ‘umami’ flavor.

History of the Jewish Delicatessen

Many people call the company Dallmayr the first delicatessen established in the world. In the 1700s, it was the first company of its kind that imported fruits like plums and bananas to Germany from faraway regions of the world. Currently, it is a well-established brand that sells fantastic products in the country.

The concept of Jewish delis began in the late 1800s when German immigrants settled in New York City in the late 19th century. Jewish delis were opened by the second generation of immigrants as they explored more business options aside from the traditional Jewish delicacy shops.

The early Jewish delis were inspired by the concept of German-Jewish gourmet food and were named Delikatessens (a German loaned word from French, meaning delicacies).

The first delis focused on serving traditional non-Jewish German cuisine, including various cold cuts, pickled herring, sausages, and dill pickles. They did not include pork or dairy products in their creations to keep the food entirely kosher. Yiddish-speaking delicatessen owners included these non-Jewish German dishes with some classic Eastern European dishes of their own, comprising the mouth-watering pastrami, roast beef, and corned beef.

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The early delicatessens catered to the taste of the German immigrant population in New York City as more immigrants came to the city in the 19th century. The items being served at these delis were considered authentic delicacies in Eastern Europe since many did not eat curated, fat-rich meats commonly in Romania or Poland.

To save money and offer more affordable products, deli owners began to opt for beef, which was cheaper and more readily available at the time. Corned beef became a popular kind of meat sold at delis as it was made of quality brisket cured in a delicious brine mixture. The pastrami also became increasingly famous as people came to love its spicy and smoky flavor.

Most Popular Jewish Deli Products Over the Years

Pastrami

Pastrami is one of the most popular offerings of a Jewish deli and is made by brining beef brisket, turkey, or lamb meat. It became famous in the USA in the late 19th century as Jewish Romanians who had immigrated from Germany began selling goose pastrami first and then switched to serving beef pastrami to customers in NYC.

Corned Beef

Similar to pastrami, corned beef has been a well-known delicacy of Jewish delis since the time of the first delicatessens in New York City. Corned beef is made from beef brisket, which is brined for weeks and steamed afterward until tender. It has a distinct salty taste and is often enjoyed in sandwiches.

History of the Delicatessen – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How did delicatessens get started?

Delicatessens originated in Germany in the 18th century, with the first deli being Dallmayr which exported plums, mangoes, and bananas from China and the Canary Islands. To this day, Dallmayr remains to be an excellent delicatessen brand in the country.

What is the root of delicatessen?

Delicatessen is a word borrowed from French to the German language. Contrary to popular belief, the German word essen, which means “to eat”, is only partially the root word of “Delicatessen.  The word “Delicatessen” is derived from the French word délicatesse, which means “delicacies”. This French word has Latin roots and can be traced to the Latin word delicatus, which means “something delightful or pleasing”.

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What is the difference between a deli and a delicatessen?

There is not much difference between a deli and a delicatessen in the literal sense, and the word “deli” is just a shorter version of the word “delicatessen”. In many places, there is often a “deli” counter that serves cold cuts of meats and other cured meat products. On the other hand, a delicatessen usually refers to a dedicated shop that sells cured and cooked meat products for people to enjoy.

Is the word delicatessen German?

Delicatessen is not a German word but, in fact, is derived from French. It comes from the French word délicatesse, which means “delicious things”.

What is the oldest deli in the United States?

The oldest deli in the United States is known to be Katz Deli in New York City. Katz Deli is famous for its signature pastrami sandwich and has been featured in the iconic movie “When Harry Met Sally” as well.

Would You Guess – The History of New York Delis

Would you have guessed the history of the iconic New York deli? Learn about the roots of this quintessential Jewish culinary institution in this video.

Summary

The history of delicatessens is an exciting tale that involves the marriage of many cultures, cuisines, and flavors. Italian and Jewish delis have their own story of origin; however, both remain to be extremely popular in the United States to this day.

If you go to an Italian delicatessen, you can enjoy various sub sandwiches, charcuterie board meats, pork products, Italian sodas, and premium quality imported cheeses.

On the other hand, Jewish delicatessens offer different cured and spicy meat products that go along well in sandwiches and soups. No matter which delicatessen you prefer, you will agree that the traditional deli has come a long way since its inception and has been recognized as a crucial culinary institution by millions worldwide.

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