Why are Recipes Called a Recipe?
The word “recipe” is a fundamental part of our culinary vocabulary, but have you ever wondered why it is called a recipe in the first place? The term has a rich history, tracing its roots back centuries, and has evolved in meaning over time.
Origins of the Word “Recipe”
The word “recipe” comes from the Latin verb recipere, which means “to take” or “to receive.” In medieval times, this term was commonly used in medical prescriptions. Physicians would begin their instructions for preparing a medicinal remedy with the Latin imperative “Recipe,” meaning “Take this.” Over time, this usage extended beyond medicine to cooking, as both fields involved combining ingredients in precise ways to achieve a desired result.
From Medicine to Cooking
Before printed cookbooks became widespread, cooking instructions were often passed down orally or written informally. The structured format of medical prescriptions—listing ingredients, measurements, and preparation steps—provided a useful model for recording culinary instructions. This is likely why early cookbooks adopted the term “recipe” to describe the step-by-step process of preparing food.
Evolution of the Term
By the 18th century, “recipe” had become firmly associated with cooking, though the word continued to be used in other contexts, such as chemistry and cosmetics. Even today, we sometimes use “recipe” metaphorically to refer to a formula for success in various aspects of life, such as “a recipe for disaster” or “a recipe for happiness.”
Distinction from “Formula” and “Receipt”
While “recipe” is the dominant term today, it was historically interchangeable with “receipt.” Older English cookbooks, particularly from the 17th and 18th centuries, often used “receipt” to mean a set of cooking instructions. Over time, “receipt” became more associated with financial transactions, while “recipe” remained linked to cooking.
The term “formula” is also related but is more commonly used in scientific and industrial contexts rather than cooking.
A recipe is called a recipe because of its Latin origins in medicine, where it initially meant “to take” or “to receive.” The structured nature of medicinal prescriptions provided a logical framework for recording cooking instructions, leading to the modern culinary meaning of the term. Today, recipes are an essential part of food culture, helping to preserve traditions, share knowledge, and ensure delicious results in the kitchen.