Delicatessen

A delicatessen or deli is a grocery store that sells a selection of fine, exotic, or foreign prepared foods. Delicatessens originated in Germany (contemporary spelling: Delikatessen) during the 18th century and spread to Canada and the United States in the mid-19th century. European immigrants to Canada and the United States, especially Ashkenazi Jews, popularized the delicatessen in North American culture beginning in the late 19th century. Today, many large retail stores like supermarkets have deli sections.

Etymology

Delicatessen (meaning Delicacies) is a German loanword which first appeared in English in the late 19th century and is the plural of Delicatesse.[1] The German spelling with a "c" was common at the time the word entered English, but is now considered archaic; present-day German has replaced the "c" with a "k". The German form was borrowed from the French délicatesse, which in turn was borrowed from Italian delicatezza, from delicato. The root of this word is the Latin adjective delicatus, meaning "giving pleasure, delightful, pleasing".[1] The first U.S. short version of this word, deli, probably came into existence after World War II, with the first evidence being from 1948.[2]

History

The origin of the delicatessen as a grocery store is lost in time, but the path clearly spread across Western Europe as the term was borrowed by one people and language and culture after another.

The German food company Dallmayr traces its history to 1700,[3] when it became the first store to import to the German population bananas, mangoes, and plums from places such as the Canary Islands and China. Over 300 years later, it remains the largest business of its kind in Europe.[4]

The first delicatessen to appear in England was L Teroni and sons. This was opened in 1878. It is still open today but is no longer run by the same family.[5]

The first delicatessens to appear in the United States were in New York City in the early 1880s, with the first advertised use of this word occurring in early 1884 in St. Louis, Missouri, upon the opening of "Sprague's Delicatessen",[6]

By country and region

Australia

In most of Australia, the term "delicatessen" retains its European meaning of high-quality, expensive foods and stores. Large supermarket chains often have a deli department, and independent delicatessens exist throughout the country. Both types of deli offer a variety of cured meats, sausages, pickled vegetables, dips, breads, and olives. In recent years, the popularity of delicatessens in Australia has increased as people have become more interested in local produce and artisanal products.[13] Many delicatessens now work with small producers in various parts of Australia to provide regional specialities, such as smoked salmon from Tasmania, artisan cheeses from Victoria and cured meats from South Australia.[14]

In South Australia and Western Australia, "deli" also denotes a small convenience store or milk bar, and some businesses use "deli" as part of their business name. Traditional delicatessens also exist in these states, with "continental delicatessen" sometimes used to indicate the European version.

Canada

External links

References

Deli U.S. Heritage Dictionary, retrieved 18 Sep 2021^
Deli merriam-webster.com, Merriam-Webster, retrieved 16 April 2016^
Step by step to success www.dallmayr.com, retrieved 5 October 2015^

Europe

In Europe "delicatessen" means high-quality, expensive foods, and stores. In German-speaking countries a common synonym is Feinkost (fine food), and shops that sell it are called Feinkostläden (delicacy stores). Department stores often have a Delikatessenabteilung (delicacy department). European delicatessens include Fauchon in Paris, Dallmayr in Munich, Julius Meinl am Graben in Vienna, Harrods [15][16] and Fortnum & Mason in London, Peck in Milan, and Jelmoli in Zürich.

Although U.S.-style delicatessens are also found in Europe, they appeal to the luxury market. In Russia, shops and supermarket sections approximating U.S.-style delis are called kulinariya and offer salads and main courses. Delicate meats and cheeses, cold-cut and sliced hot, are sold in a separate section. The Eliseevsky food store in central Moscow, with its fin de siècle decor, is similar to a European delicatessen. From the Tsarist era, it was preserved by the Soviets as an outlet for difficult-to-obtain Russian delicacies. Delicatessens may also provide foods from other countries and cultures that are not readily available in local food stores. In Italy, the deli can be called gastronomia, negozio di specialità gastronomiche, bottega alimentare and more recently salumeria. In France it is known as a traiteur or épicerie fine.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, a delicatessen offers a variety of meats and cheeses. It also has options of various salads. There are delicatessen counters in supermarkets as well as in markets and sandwich shops. Delicatessens will make sandwiches to take away though some have an area where you can sit and eat. Items like potato salad, coleslaw, pease pudding and olives are sold by weight. There is often an area that sells jars of chutneys, jams and sauces.[17][18]

Ireland

In Ireland, a "deli" or "deli counter" is a food counter serving pre-prepared "food to go" like sandwiches and hot snacks. This trend began in the 1990s and led to the emergence of many ready-to-eat deli products.[19] Delis can be found at a wide variety of convenience shops, newsagents, supermarkets, petrol stations, and casual eateries throughout Ireland.[20][21]

Etymology

History

By country and region

Australia

Canada

See also

Further reading

External links

References

Europe

United Kingdom

Ireland

United Kingdom

Ireland

United States