Why Do They Call Them Devilled Eggs?

The term deviled egg comes from an 18th-century culinary term that the Oxford English Dictionary originally used to describe a fried or boiled dish that was highly seasoned. and this was eventually used to also include spicy, condiment-filled dishes, as well. It was eventually used to describe eggs.

Why is food called deviled?

“Deviled” as a culinary term goes back to the 1700s, and it originally meant to cook something—anything—with lots and lots of hot and spicy condiments and seasonings. The most commonly used spices in this catchall preparation were mustard and cayenne pepper.

What were deviled eggs first called?

The Romans actually had a saying, “ab ova usque ad mala” which literally meas “from eggs to apples,” meaning from the beginning of a meal to the end. This dates our deviled friends back the the first century AD! The mashing of yolks to create a stuffing for the eggs was first seen in the 13th century in Spain.

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Consumer Tech & Gadget Reviewer

Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.