Escagraph

The term “escagraph” Smith, Dr. Larry R. " [http://www.escagraph.com/ Mouthful of Words] " Copyright© 2007. " [http://www.escagraph.com/mediawiki/index.php/Escagraph_Introduction Escagraph] "] was first usedSSU Weekly [http://www.uis.edu/archives/campus_news/SSU%20Weekly%20v01%201984-85.pdf Volume 1, Number 31] , "Edible Language", page 61, April 18, 1985.] in the 1980’s by Dr. Larry R. Smith to identify and describe the many forms, past and present, of "writing on food" and "letters as food". The term is a concatenation of "esca" (from Latin meaning “victuals” or “things to be eaten”) and "graph" (after the Greek meaning: “mark” or the infinitive verb “to write”).

History

Research has identified examples of escagraphs as far back as Ancient Egypt James_Henry_Breasted 1962 "Ancient Records of Egypt" (New York: Russell & Russell, Inc.).] and the Roman Empire Gusman, Pierre 1900 "Pompeii: The City, Its Life and Art" (London, William Heinemann).] , primarily bread with words stamped into them prior to baking. Use of escagraphs waned a bit during periods of early Christianity Galavaris, George 1970 "Bread and the Liturgy: The Symbolism of Early Christian and Byzantine Bread Stamps" (Madison, University of Wisconsin Press). ISBN: 0299053105 9780299053109.] to the 19th century, though some interesting examples exist in bread assizes and sotelties.

Examples

Today, of course, examples of escagraphs are legion, organized roughly into three basic categories:

Sweet

Most forms of escagraphs today are sweet, either molded into or drawn onto the surface of the food. Cakes with “Happy Birthday” are extremely common. Heart-shaped candiesNecco SweatheartNew England Confectionery Company. http://www.necco.com] with mottoes on them have been produced since about 1901 and are often shared at Valentine's Day. Many chocolate bars bear the name of their maker imprinted on their surfaceHershey's Chocolate Bar with Almonds
" [http://www.hersheys.com/ The Hershey Company] " http://www.hersheys.com/happiness/] .

Lawful

Only a few lawful examples remain, since the bread assizes of the 15th century. However, the [http://www/usda.gov/ United States Department of Agriculture] does markUSDA United States Department of Agriculture " [http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Inspection_&_Grading/index.asp Inspection & Grading - What Are The Differences?] " http://www.usda.gov.] certain meat products with certifications and grades in an edible ink.

Moveable Type

From alphabet cookies to cereal to pasta, letters and moveable type are very common even today. Throughout the western world, cookies shaped as letters are made both as edible toys and ostensibly to help children learn their letters. Many manufacturers provide alphabet pasta letters (and numbers) in both ready-to-eat and dry forms.

Study

Dr. Larry R. Smith has researched escagraphs since the 1980’s and his work is provided on a MediaWiki site at http://www.escagraph.com. The work, titled "Mouthful of Words" is provided free of charge (usage requires a citation) and contributions of research materials are welcome.

References