Orfèvrerie Ercuis

Origin of the dishwasher

"If no one else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I'll do it myself"

The dishwasher, which today seems indispensable in any kitchen, is a relatively recent invention. Its origins date back to 1886, when Josephine Cochrane, an American woman, tired of her dishes being damaged when washed by hand, decided that ‘if no one else was going to invent a dishwashing machine, she would do it herself’.The first dishwasher consisted of a copper kettle with a wheel with compartments to put the dishes inside. The wheel rotated while the soapy water came out under pressure, washing all the pieces. This first prototype could wash and dry up to 200 dishes in two minutes.Her invention was presented at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 and the first to include them in their kitchens were hotels and restaurants. Her machines were sold to prestigious hotels such as the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago.Josephine patented her ‘dish washing machine’ and founded her own company, the Garis-Cochran Dish-Washing Machine Company, which later became KitchenAid (owned by Whirlpool). Motivated by the desire to popularise her creation, she also developed a model adapted for domestic use just before her death in 1913. For decades, however, the dishwasher remained a professional product. It was not until the middle of the 20th century that, thanks to the increasing electrification of homes and the search for greater efficiency in domestic chores, its use spread to households.This development marked the beginning of a new era in kitchen design and in the evolution of household appliances as tools for optimising everyday life. We share the pursuit of what you believe in. The importance of taking the time to identify needs and solving them. The way to improve people's lives.  

Tiramisù

A modern story with classic flavour

Tiramisù is the fifth most well-known word from Italian cuisine abroad, and the first when it comes to desserts. The name tiramisù, in the Venetian dialect, means “tirami sù”—literally “pick me up”—referring to its energizing effect, both due to the coffee and because it is considered a light dessert. The most documented version places the origin of tiramisù in the city of Treviso, in the Veneto region. It is said that during the 1960s, at the well-known restaurant Le Beccherie, chef Roberto Linguanotto and pastry chef Ada Campeol—the owner’s wife— invented this dessert. Tiramisù is based on sbatudin, a traditional preparation made from beaten egg yolk and sugar, typically given to children or newborns as a nutritious food, and incorporates mascarpone, savoiardi biscuits, coffee, and cocoa. Other accounts trace its origin back to around 1959, in a handwritten tiramisù recipe by Norma Pielli, the longtime cook at a hotel in the town of Tolmezzo, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. For locals, the fetta di mascarpone (slice of mascarpone) was served to hungry hikers and climbers in this mountainous area. Although its true origin remains uncertain, tiramisù was traditionally a family dessert, served on special occasions in Italian homes. It was only from the 1980s onwards that it began to be commercialized, appearing on restaurant menus both in Italy and abroad. Its presence in international cookbooks increased interest in tiramisù, leading to many adapted versions—but the balance of the original—biscuits lightly soaked in coffee, mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa—remains hard to improve upon. We’ve shared our family tiramisù recipe in the Recipes section.

Ancient Rome, Felipe V and the Roscón de Reyes

Origin of the Spanish Christmas sweet of Epiphany

Roscón de Reyes is a Spanish gastronomic tradition of this period of the year. It is common practice in all homes to eat Roscón on 6 January, the day on which the adoration of Jesus by the Three Wise Men is celebrated.  The origin of this tradition dates back to the Roman Saturnalia, festivities which were celebrated in Ancient Rome in honour of Saturn, God of agriculture, on the occasion of the onset of the winter solstice, which brought longer days and the end of the winter sowing season, which allowed slaves to rest for a few days. A public banquet was held and Roman citizens exchanged gifts.  Each year, a round cake was made with figs, dates and honey in which was hidden a fava bean, a symbol of prosperity, which gave the title of «King of Kings» to the slave who was given it, allowing him to be free during the Saturnalia.  In the 4th century, when Christianity became the official religion of the Empire, these festivals were gradually replaced by Christian celebrations. The tradition became less important except in France, where the Roi de Fave (King of the Bean) was celebrated. To celebrate Epiphany, each village gave a sweet bun to the poorest children and whoever found the bean received gifts and privileges. In the 18th century, Louis XV included a gold coin which meant that no one wanted the bean, and finding it was no longer a prize. It was Philip V who introduced this tradition in Spain, maintaining the duality between reward and punishment. Later the coin was replaced by a figurine and the person who found the bean had to pay for the roscón. We share the value of the tradition. The beauty of the customs makes us enjoy our time around the table.