Do you love learning fun facts about New Jersey? In a state so incredible and so historic, there’s always plenty more to learn … especially when it comes to our culinary scene because we all know New Jersey is practically the epicenter of the food universe. We’ve got such a rich tapestry of food history, and there are plenty of New Jersey food facts to learn. Many big brands you can still find in the supermarket today have come out of the Garden State. We’ve also invented several quintessential American dishes. Read on to see a look back in time at food in New Jersey:

1642: The very first brewery in America opens up in Hoboken.
Tetra Images - fotog/Brand X Pictures Collection/Getty Images
Brewmaster Aert Teunissen Van Putten immigrated from The Netherlands to what would later become Hoboken. He opened up a brewery to provide beer to other local settlers. It didn't end well for Van Putten, as members of the local Lenni Lenape tribe burned down his brewery.
1856: Taylor Ham was invented in Trenton and named for its inventor.
EzumeImages/iStock/Getty Images Plus Collection/Getty Images
John Taylor crafted the recipe and sold his product under the name "Taylor's Prepared Ham." In 1906, the brand was forced to relabel the product as a pork roll because it no longer met the new legal definition of ham. You'll still hear it referred to as Taylor ham even today.
1883: David Bradley accidentally invents salt water taffy right on the boardwalk in Atlantic City.
Surfergirl30/Flickr
Bradley ran a small shop on the boardwalk that flooded with ocean water during a storm. All of his taffy ended up soaked, at least, according to legend. The candy was popularized later in the century, around 1885, by Joseph Fralinger.
1897: Cambell's invents canned condensed soup.
SenseiAlan/Flickr
The formula was created by John T. Dorrance, a chemist at Campbell's. The original Campbell's cans were actually blue and orange. Within a year or so, they switched over to the iconic red and white cans that are still used today.
1912: America's very first pizzeria opens in Trenton.
Papa's Tomato Pies/Facebook
Papa's Tomatoes Pies is still around, and it's still family-owned. The restaurant is now in Robbinsville.
1916: The blueberry is first cultivated for commercial production.
notjake/Flickr
It turns out the Pine Barrens aren't so barren after all! The soil in this region is perfect for blueberries. The fruit was first commercially cultivated in the United States by Elizabeth Coleman White of Whitesbog. She was assisted by a United States Department of Agriculture botanist named Frederick Coville. New Jersey is still a major producer of the highbush blueberry today.
1917: The first prefabricated diner is built in Elizabeth.
slgckgc/Flickr
The little diner was made by the O'Mahony Diner Company. Between 1917 and 1952, the company made over 2,000 diners. Only about 20 remain today, and they're spread all over the country. One example left in New Jersey is the Summit Diner in Summit.
1919: The Kohr brothers invent frozen custard and sell it under the name Kohr Bros.
James Loesch/Flickr
Frozen custard soon became a staple on the New Jersey boardwalks - and beyond. It's just as delicious as ice cream, if not more so, and healthier, too. Did you know that frozen custard has less sugar, fewer calories, and less fat than ice cream?
1928: Abe Rutt of Rutt's Hut in Clifton invents the ripper hot dog.
Rutt's Hut/Facebook
A ripper is a deep-fried hot dog. Rutt's still does them best, if you ask us! This Clifton classic has been named the best hot dog in America on several lists. The relish at Rutt's is a mixture of mustard and secret spices that's practically worshiped by hot dog lovers.
1941: M&Ms were invented.
Evan-Amos/Wikipedia
It's hard to believe these classic candies haven't been around forever! The candy-coated chocolates were first produced in Newark. They were originally manufactured by Frank Mars and Bruce Murrie, son of the Hershey Chocolate's president. The company's first major customer was the U.S. Army. During World War II, M&Ms were exclusively sold to the military. They became popular once the soldiers returned stateside.
1954: New Jersey is officially nicknamed the "Garden State."
YinYang/E+ Collection/Getty Images
Did you know that New Jersey is home to more than 9,000 farms? Over 715,000 acres of the state is farmland, making the Garden State an apt nickname! We're a top producer of cranberries, blueberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, corn, apples (including our own Winesap variety), spinach, peaches, and more.
1967: Chicken Savoy is invented by Charles "Stretch" Verdicchio at the Belmont Tavern.
Belmont Tavern/Facebook
The Belmont Tavern is still open today in Belleville. It still serves up this tasty vinegar chicken dish that's always a hit with locals and tourists alike.

Do you know of any other New Jersey food facts? We’d love to hear them, so share your best trivia about dining in New Jersey in the comments.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

Fun Facts About New Jersey

Lisa Sammons | April 19, 2023

What are some of the most popular foods in New Jersey?

We're all about food in New Jersey! Here are some of the state's most popular dishes:

  • Pizza
  • Taylor ham, also called a pork roll
  • Cheesesteak
  • Disco fries
  • Hot dog

 

What are some other fun facts about New Jersey?

In a state rich with so much history, it's no surprise that there are lots of fun facts about New Jersey. Here are a few:

  • The little town of Roselle was the first to be lit by electricity back in 1883.
  • The first complete dinosaur skeleton was found in Haddonfield.
  • The Atlantic City boardwalk was the very first boardwalk in the world and it remains the longest.
  • The first intercollegiate football game was played in 1869 at Rutgers University.

 

Related Articles

Explore New Jersey