Seattleites seem to really love their thinking caps, because not only is our city responsible for some neat-o inventions — like oh, I don’t know, Boeing’s lunar rover — but we’ve also contributed quite a bit to the culinary world.
No, we’re not talking about the Seattle Dog (although it totally counts), but our state is responsible for all sorts of yummy treats — even produce.
Here are a few snacks we’ve blessed the world with.
Teriyaki chicken
This saucy delicacy originated across the Pacific Ocean, but a Seattle-specific version of the cooking technique started right here in 1976. Toshi Kasahara immigrated to Seattle and opened his first shop, Toshi’s Teriyaki, in March that year. The recipe he used in his chicken is the base for what has been largely replicated across the US.
Rainier cherries
These treats aren’t just named for our beloved mountain. This popular varietal of the stone fruit was created by Washington State University (WSU) researchers in 1952 by mixing Bing and Van cherries. They were released for public consumption in 1960.
Cosmic Crisp apples
We’re quite the farming geniuses over here. The beautiful, vibrant red apples were another WSU contribution that took decades of cross-breeding. What we know as the Cosmic Crisp apple is a mix of the Honeycrisp and Enterprise varieties.
Dutch babies
Based on the German pancake, this brunch staple was created by Manca’s Cafe in 1905, where they were typically served with lemon wedges and some powdered sugar (yum).
Cinnabon
Yes, cinnamon rolls have been around for a while, but Cinnabon is certainly its own creation. The sweet treat bakery is currently headquartered in Atlanta, but got its start in 1985 in Sea-Tac Mall using a recipe from Jerilyn Brusseau and the financial backing of Rich Komen.
