Little known facts and other uses for rolling pins
Who invented them? Why were they invented? Are they only good for rolling out bread and cookie dough? I’ll answer these and other … very cool things about our need for rolling pins!
First, so as not to confuse the rolling pin with the rolling pin (or any other rolling pin), the rolling pin is a utensil that is cylindrical in shape with a handle on each side that is used in cooking primarily for flattening and shaping the dough.
According to historical records, many ancient civilizations used round pieces of wood (probably branches without bark) to flatten, crush, or shred their different types of food. The old saying is true: “There is nothing new under the sun”! They also used hardened clay and glass bottles. Obviously, the glass bottles came later. Regardless of the raw material used, it would have been an ancient shape of a pin compared to what we have now.
The modern wooden rolling pin is very different from previous models. Not only does it now have handles, but due to the invention of JW Reed in the late 19th century, the handles now roll independently of the actual cylinder. Previously (and I remember this, it must have been my great grandmothers pin!) The handles were just a part of the cylinder and you couldn’t hold the handles and roll the pin. Being a unit, if you were to hold the handles too tightly, the pin would just scrape off the top of the dough, achieving … well, not much! I seem to remember a large pile of dough at the end of my board! JW Reed must have experienced similar problems that caused him to create and patent a rod that would allow the cylinder to rotate independently of the handles.
I promised you little known facts. Here’s one: In the United States alone, between 600,000 and 750,000 rolling pins are made each year! Where in the world are all these pins used? I have found that having just one in my kitchen is enough!
Pins are no longer just made of wood. Glass pins are popular in Italy, in fact they use chilled wine bottles! The French prefer marble pins over marble boards. Other countries make their own hole, filling the center with cold water. This would be similar to the Italians and the bottle of wine. Here in the United States, we have used primarily wood. Going back to the time of JW Reed, pine would have been abundant and it is a soft wood, easy to cut or carve. Today, the most popular are Ash and Maple. Specifically, Rock Maple, as it is a very hard wood (as you can see from the name alone!). Ash and Rock Maple are primarily used in professional cooking schools, bakeries, and high-end retail stores.
Are there other uses for rollers, besides baking and comics, that portray angry housewives chasing their sons and husbands around the house? I found a pair. Thinking outside the box, they are great for kids while crafting. They can relieve muscle aches and knots. Those with a hollow center can be filled with ice and water for bruising or with hot water to loosen cramped muscles. You can also lie down and use the pin to roll your feet, thus giving them a much needed massage after being on your feet all day and baking in the kitchen!