By: Candela Díaz

The term hamburger originally derives from Hamburg (city of Germany).

The hamburger most likely first appeared in the 19th or early 20th centuries. The modern hamburger was product of the culinary needs of a society that was rapidly changing due to industrialization, and therefore, people had less time to prepare as well as to consume meals.

Immigrants to the United States from German-speaking countries brought with them some of their favorite foods. One of them was Hamburg Steak. The Germans simply flavored shredded low-grade beef with regional spices, and both cooked and raw it became a standard meal among the poorer classes. In the seaport town of Hamburg, it acquired the name Hamburg steak.

Nowadays… Hamburgers are usually a feature

of fast food restaurants like McDonald’s. The McDonald’s fast-food chain sells the Big Mac, one of the world's top selling hamburgers. The Big Mac includes two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions. All on a sesame seed bun.