Photo of an open fortune cookie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
After ever Chinese meal in the United States, Americans expect to receive a fortune cookie that has some surprise wisdom and maybe some lucky winning lottery numbers. Fortune cookies can be deep or a little comical. However, it’s always a fun tradition to share your fortunes after your meal – but could you imagine a fortune cookie with no fortune? A fortune cookie without a fortune would just be an average cookie. It’s that little piece of paper that makes it great!
I make this point to reiterate the importance paper plays in our daily lives – it is even incorporated into our foods. That’s why we need to continue to support the paper industry because; would you want a fortune cookie with no paper fortune? That is one area that can’t really go digital. Digital fortune cookies – scanning a QR Code on your smart phone to receive your fortune just wouldn’t be the same.
On the other hand, many people don’t really know where the fortune cookie originated, and it is somewhat disputed as to who is credited with its invention. However, according to a New York Times article by Jennifer Lee titled, “Solving a Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside a Cookie,” some three billion fortune cookies are made primarily in the United States each year. They are served in Chinese restaurants in many different countries including: Mexico, Italy, France, and Britain. Surprisingly, fortune cookies are not found in China.
However, many people don’t really know where the fortune cookie originated, and it is somewhat disputed as to who is credited with its invention. According to the article, fortune cookies are not from China as many think. They actually originated in Japan.
Don’t forget to recycle your fortunes!
Share your thoughts? Where did you think fortune cookies originated? How would you feel if fortune cookies had no fortunes?
View this short video from ABC News about the fortune cookie, how it’s made, and its history.
