Fortune cookie facts for kids
A fortune cookie is a yummy, crispy cookie that usually has a secret message hidden inside! These cookies are often made from simple ingredients like flour, sugar, vanilla, and a little oil. When you break one open, you'll find a small piece of paper with a "fortune" or a wise saying.
The little paper message inside can be a piece of advice, a prediction about your future, or even a fun Chinese phrase with its English meaning. Sometimes, they even include a list of "lucky numbers" that people might use for games or lotteries.
Contents
Who Invented Fortune Cookies?
Many people think fortune cookies come from China, but they actually became popular in the United States! A Japanese immigrant named Makoto Hagiwara helped make them famous. He managed the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park way back in the 1890s. He started serving these unique cookies to visitors, and they quickly became a hit!
Are Fortune Cookies Japanese or Chinese?
While they are often served in Chinese restaurants today, the idea of these cookies actually comes from Japan. In Japan, there were similar cookies called tsujiura senbei (辻占煎餅) that had fortunes inside. Japanese immigrants brought this tradition to America. Over time, as Chinese restaurants became popular in the U.S., they started serving fortune cookies, and the tradition grew from there!
How Are Fortune Cookies Made?
Making fortune cookies is a cool process! First, a thin batter is poured onto a hot griddle, similar to making pancakes. Once the cookie is baked and still warm, it's very soft and flexible. Workers quickly place the paper fortune inside and then fold the cookie into its famous half-moon shape. As the cookie cools, it becomes hard and crispy, trapping the fortune inside.
What Kind of Messages Are Inside?
The messages in fortune cookies are usually positive and fun. They can be:
- Words of wisdom: Like "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
- Predictions: Such as "You will have a wonderful day."
- Lucky numbers: A set of numbers that some people believe will bring good luck.
- Chinese phrases: Often with their English translation, helping you learn a new word!
Sometimes, people even get "unlucky" or funny messages, which can be a surprise!
Images for kids
-
Baking Japanese fortune cookies, Tsujiura Senbei in the Edo period (1603–1868). from a book written in 1878
-
Unusual negative aphorism found in a fortune cookie
-
Hot fortune cookies being folded around paper fortunes at Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
See also
In Spanish: Galleta de la suerte para niños
