History of the Wafer
Although the wafer is a well-known sweet around the world, the truth is that there isn’t much knowledge about its origin and provenance.
On one hand, many believe it was created in Switzerland, but others claim France, and some even mention Greece. However, there is no certainty about any of these options.
But, even if its country of origin is unknown, according to experts, the answer is clear. The wafer originated in Europe, and although the exact year of its creation is not known, it is said to have been created specifically to be used as communion hosts during mass, which clearly indicates that its place of origin was a European monastery.
Thus, coming from Europe, it can be assumed that the Spaniards brought it with them to America once they conquered the continent, and it surely caught the attention of the native people. Over time, wafers were not only seen in church services but also started appearing in small shops filled with some sweet filling, expanding to other Latin American countries, where the sale of sweet wafers began.
Other Interesting Facts
Known in other countries as “wafer” or “gaufre,” the wafer is a typical sweet from Colombia and some other countries like Venezuela, Mexico, and Spain.
In Colombia, wafers can be found in squares, markets, and from street vendors.
Once prepared, wafers are usually served with something sweet, which varies depending on the region. For example, they are often accompanied by peanuts, fruit jams, caramel, or sprinkled sugar.
