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Book 26, Question 12 · Video

How did cornflakes come about?

Video · 1:42 · Crafty Clover explains, from A Million Whys Book 26

In 1894, brothers John and Will Kellogg in Michigan were cooking wheat dough. They got distracted, and the dough sat for hours until it went stale. When they pressed it through rollers, it broke into flakes instead of a big sheet. They baked the flakes and served them. People liked them, and they later tried the same idea with corn.

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What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How did cornflakes come about?

The Big Idea

Crunchy cereal flakes started with a forgotten pot of dough! Let's meet the Kellogg brothers. They made breakfast history.

Forgotten Dough

Step one: Forgotten Dough. In 1894, brothers John and Will Kellogg in Michigan were cooking wheat dough. They got distracted, and the dough sat for hours until it went stale.

Flakes

Step two: Flakes. When they pressed it through rollers, it broke into flakes instead of a big sheet. They baked the flakes and served them.

Corn

Step three: Corn. People liked them. Later, the brothers tried the same idea with corn.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Cook the dough. Let it rest. Roll it thin. Bake the flakes.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The brothers ran a health spa where the first flakes were served. Corn came later. Waiting changed the dough. Ovens need grown-ups.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, spread a thin layer of plain cooked oatmeal on baking paper. The grown-up bakes it in a low oven until crisp. Let it cool. Break it into flakes. How did heating change the texture?

Outro

Cornflakes came about when the Kellogg brothers left wheat dough sitting until it went stale, then found it broke into flakes. They baked them, and later tried corn! Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!

Why I wrote this