John Myers
As popular as the pancake is in this country, it is also widespread and there are many different variants. You can find out everything about the pancake, where it originally comes from, and how crêpes, pancakes, pancakes, and co. differ here.
Where does the pancake come from?
It is not surprising that the pancake eventually spread worldwide. After all, hardly any breakfast can top the pancake and make blini and crêpes savory dishes that compete with many a pizza. At some point, the pancake is said to have originated in medieval Europe. In those days, people often ate egg dishes, similar to today’s omelets. By adding flour, the pancake developed, which over time has taken on a wide variety of names: In Germany, it is known as a pancake or pancake, the French call it crêpe, in Russia it is called blini, in North America, it is der Pancake, in Austria the Palatschinken or Kaiserschmarrn and in Hungary the Palatcsinta.
Differences between crepes, pancakes & Co.
What is the difference between pancakes, crepes, pancakes, blinis, pancakes, and Kaiserschmarrn? We’ll enlighten you!
Pancakes
In Germany alone, there are many different names for the famous cake from the pan. For example:
- pancakes
- buffer
- Yeast pancakes or
- Berlin pancakes.
It can be prepared in a variety of ways: sometimes with baking powder, sometimes without, sometimes with yeast, and sometimes more or less sweet. There is only one thing he can bring to a common denominator: apart from the potato pancakes, which are made from potatoes, pancakes are mainly prepared as a dessert here. In many other European countries, it is also enjoyed heartily.
In contrast to the crêpe, the pancake is a bit thicker, in contrast to the pancake not too sweet. The Berlin pancake looks nothing like the actual pancake and is often filled with jam.
The ordinary pancake consists of wheat flour, milk, eggs, sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt. Occasionally some sugar is added. Strictly speaking, by the way, there is a small difference between pancakes: These contain mainly eggs and less flour.
Tip: There are also variations of pancakes in which fruit is baked. Also known to us as apple pancakes, for example. You can use any kind of fruit, such as pears, bananas, or peaches.
Crepes
The crêpe is a popular classic in French cuisine and is usually wafer-thin. It is best prepared in a special pan, the crêpe pan. This is large and very flat so that the crêpe can be fried well in it.
The crêpe can be sweet – with cinnamon and sugar, applesauce, chocolate cream, or jam, but also savory – like a pizza. After filling, it is rolled up, wrapped in paper, and eaten on the hand. Eggs are important in crepe, but not quite as important as in pancakes.
Pancakes
The pancake is so popular that it has even spread to North America. A lot sweeter and fluffier than most European varieties, pancakes are smaller and slightly thicker because they’re made with baking powder. Americans like to eat pancakes with maple syrup and sometimes with small sausages for breakfast.
Kaiserschmarrn
Kaiserschmarrn is a typical Austrian dish. The batter is pan-fried in a similar way to pancakes but is broken up into pieces after it has been thickened. In addition, Kaiserschmarrn is always served sweet with powdered sugar or in a classic way with roasted plums.
Blini
The blini is the Russian pancake. It is similar to the yeast pancake we know. In contrast to the classic pancake, blinis are often prepared with yeast, buckwheat flour or semolina. The blini is served sweet or savory, sometimes with a filling. The preparation is more complex than with crêpes or pancakes, as the dough should rise for up to 6 hours. If the blini is to be hearty, it is served with minced meat, vegetables, or smoked fish, sometimes with caviar. As a dessert, it is served with fresh fruit, quark, jam, sugar, and cinnamon or with chocolate cream.
Pancakes
The Palatschinken is the Austrian pancake, but originally comes from Romania (“Placinta”) and probably spread further to Austria via Hungary. The pancake is prepared thinner and served savory or sweet like the crêpe. The Austrians spread it mainly with apricot jam or quark and then roll it up. Incidentally, the Hungarians also like to prepare the dough with a dash of rum.
No matter what type of pancake you decide to make, it is important that you cook it properly and it is best to do this at a medium temperature if you want to make it a success in the end. That way you make sure it doesn’t burn you either. By the way, you can keep pancakes warm in the oven.
