The history of soul food is choppy at best. Because of the period in America, there were few if any records kept or written about it until the early 60's. Most of the history along with the meticulous recipes evolved from generation to generation for the past 300-400 years. As you may know, most of the popular cuisines, foods and menu items we enjoy in America today came from Europe, Asia, South America and other countries. But one fact remains, soul food is one of the most popular cuisines today that originated in America.

It goes as far back as slavery. Often the slave master gave the food he couldn't or wouldn't eat, such as certain meats and vegetables, to his plantation, farm or ranch slaves. The goal ? Feeding them as cheaply as possible while still providing them the energy to work the long hot, days in the sun. Over the years out of necessity, the slaves created and adapted cooking techniques , methods and seasonings to add unique flavors to what they were eating. Those recipes developed and improved over the years, thanks to preceding generations who improve it.

In time slaves became so good at cooking the slave masters would bring them into their homes to cook meals for them. Today soul food has grown into a billion dollar industry known world wide. Thanks to Black entertainers, soldiers and others who traveled the world, you can find this southern cuisine in such places as Europe. Asia and even South America.

The dishes, known for their robust flavors, soon developed the reputation for staying with you longer than many foods. A good meal could last people most of the day. Because of low finances, a valuable quality for many African Americans who had to find ways to eat for the least cost. This is another factor of why soul food continues to grow popular for families who struggle today in this weak economic climate.

To adapt to a more health conscious public, healthier cooking methods, ingredients and preparation techniques have come into vogue. Traditionally the recipes contained high amounts of fat, calories and salt. Ingredients known to cause obesity, high blood pressure and other medical ailments when eaten in large quantities. Now healthier cooking methods such as steaming, stir frying and sautéing have introduced a healthier version of soul food to large numbers of people.

The history reveals a treasure of a people who have struggled long, hard and consistently over the centuries to win freedom and equality. Now you have a brief history of the food that helped them get there. Martin Luther King ate it, Michael Jordan loves it, Jackie Robinson consumed it, even Barack Obama enjoys it. Many have called it the food of our Black American Heroes. Now you know a brief history of soul food, an American original.