Benjamin Franklin, who, with the exception of Thomas Jefferson, was the most diverse thinker among our founding fathers, was born on January 17, 1706.  When researching what foods Franklin ate, I was most often referred to recipes and cooking modes of the colonial era. Now granted, until we gained our independence, we were indeed colonials,

however, to believe that our founding fathers ate and drank what was eatendrunk by the founders of Jamestown would be like saying that they ate and drank what was being eaten and drunk by Americans at the beginning of WWII, for just about the same period of time had elapsed between the founding of Jamestown and the American revolution as elapsed between the American revolution and the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Now granted, things like eating habits altered more rapidly during that second 160-plus years than they did during the first 160-pluss years.  Non the less, eating habits cannot be thought to have stood still from the time of John Smith until the time of Benjamin Franklin. 

Whereas there are tombs of information on the man himself, there is little information on his culinary preferences save what can be gleaned from personal correspondence.  It is well documented that he was an indefatigable thinker, that he was constantly on the trail of scientific discovery and that he was a social reformer. He fought the other founding fathers long and hard to abolish slavery.  We know that he was the first postmaster general and a respected publicist, printer, publisher and writer.  He invented the Glass_Armonica for which, Mozart, Donizetti and Beethoven composed music.

Realizing the inefficiency of a traditional fireplace, he invented the Franklin_Stove. This not being enough he also invented or greatly improved existing designs for Bifocals, Catheters, Lighting Rods and the Odometer, and, being an excellent swimmer, he invented swim flippers 200 years before Jacques Cousteau.  What we do not know is, did he like his meat rare or well done.  Did he prefer lamb to beef of pork, did he enjoy fish and what was his favorite dessert?

We do know from his writings and correspondence that unlike many other bigger than life men, he was not a big eater, in fact he advocated moderation in most things:

“...Be temperate in Wine, in eating, Girls, and Sloth, or the Gout will sieze you and plague you...”

When he was 16 he was introduced to the concept of vegetarianism, a practice which he revisited periodically throughout his life.  A culinary fact that I do find fascinating is that he had been introduced to Tofu.  He sent his friend John Bartram, some soybeans, (which he called “Chinese caravances”) along with an account of how to make a “Chinese cheese” from them called Tau-fu.

Of all things, he does appear to have enjoyed apples.  While living in London he often implored his wife to ship him apples and there are references in their correspondence to his having received the barrels that she had shipped.  And remember, it was he who wrote in Poor_Richard's_Almanack,

                        “An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away.” 

It does appear that he was particularly fond of Newton Pippins, which are of course an excellent cooking apple.    To celebrate the birthday of this bigger than life man who helped form our nation you may enjoy serving these delectable Baked Apple Dumplings.

"Of all my inventions, the glass armonica has given me the greatest personal satisfaction."

If you visit this website you too may try your hand at playing the “Glass Armonica.”

                                  Play it yourself “Glass Armonica”