Appetizers

Appetizers are small snack-like foods that are served immediately preceding a meal with the purpose of initiating the urge to eat.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/appetizer An appetizer can vary in size, depending on the meal to follow. It can also range in types and taste depending on the region from which it originated.

A good example of the strong regional variance in appetizers would be to compare those from France and Germany. In France, the appetizers are typically light dishes. Some traditional appetizers would be an assortment of nuts, chips, or a vegetable tray.http://www.easy-french-food.com/french-appetizers.html In Germany one might find much heavier dishes, such as a strudel stuffed with beef and onions, or a bowl of barbecued sausage and pineapple chunks.http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Cuisine/German-Recipes/German-Appetizers

Appetizers also go by many different names. For example in France appetizers are referred to as hors d'oeuvres. In Hawaii the word for appetizer is pupu, which are traditionally served before luaus and family gatherings.http://www.travelwithachallenge.com/Hawaii_Language.htm

Appetizers were originally introduced by the Athenians as a buffet in the early third century B.C. They would serve sea urchins, cockles, sturgeon, and garlic. However they were unpopular to start as these tiny meals weren't followed up with a main course, leaving everyone hungry and wanting more.http://www.mormonchic.com/recipe/recipebox/pages/appetizers.asp It wasn't until the nineteenth century that appetizers truly caught on, as meals evolved into more of a structured ordeal.

Aperitifs came about by the Romans and were classified as a liquid appetizer that typically contained alcohol. In addition to inciting hunger like food appetizers, the purpose for aperitifs were also meant to help with the imminent digestion process. These drinks would be shared from a single glass and passed around the table to all members of the eating party. Aperitifs are still utilized today, typically with the company of food appetizers.http://www.easyappetizerrecipes.net/Appetizer-Articles/history-of-the-word-appetizer.phphttp://www.cocktailtimes.com/history/aperitif.shtml

The word itself, "appetizer," starting being used in the Americas and England in the 1860s, though it's only reason for existence was to have a word with more of a local flavor than "hors d'oeuvres." For a time, appetizers would be served between the main course and dessert as a refresher, but by the twentieth century they had taken their place as a precursor to the main course.http://www.world-foodhistory.com/2010/04/history-of-appetizers-and-hors-doeuvre.html