The Origins of Texas Barbecue

Have you been into a barbecue restaurant inHave you been into a barbecue restaurant in
Texas?  Already tasted the Texas barbecue?  IfTexas?  Already tasted the Texas barbecue?  If
so, then great for you!  But, for those who haveso, then great for you!  But, for those who have
never been there or have never been tasted thenever been there or have never been tasted the
specialty of Texas, it's now time for you to knowspecialty of Texas, it's now time for you to know
what makes the Texas barbecue a popular hit.what makes the Texas barbecue a popular hit.
Many people are asking what a Texas barbecueMany people are asking what a Texas barbecue
really is.  Well, based on what I have read from areally is.  Well, based on what I have read from a
number of sources, the Texas barbecue is actually anumber of sources, the Texas barbecue is actually a
pile of beef brisket that is sliced, with a German-stylepile of beef brisket that is sliced, with a German-style
sausage and meaty ribs.  It is also prepared with asausage and meaty ribs.  It is also prepared with a
piquant sauce made from tomato that is typicallypiquant sauce made from tomato that is typically
spooned over the meat or place on the side for thespooned over the meat or place on the side for the
diners to apply to their own Texas barbeque pieces.diners to apply to their own Texas barbeque pieces.
The Texas barbeque has long been considered as aThe Texas barbeque has long been considered as a
distinct tradition of the entire state.  It has beendistinct tradition of the entire state.  It has been
prepared and served for the guests in almost everyprepared and served for the guests in almost every
occasion.  But, according to some records, theoccasion.  But, according to some records, the
traditional all started and evolved from a convergencetraditional all started and evolved from a convergence
of events in the second half of the 19th century.  of events in the second half of the 19th century.  
The influence can be traced back to the time whenThe influence can be traced back to the time when
the refugees from the Civil War came to Texas tothe refugees from the Civil War came to Texas to
look for a new beginning and a new land to dwell. look for a new beginning and a new land to dwell. 
They are the ones who brought their recipes andThey are the ones who brought their recipes and
cooking styles along which later on influenced thecooking styles along which later on influenced the
cooking style of the early Texans. cooking style of the early Texans. 
Germans and Czechs also started to come in bringingGermans and Czechs also started to come in bringing
with them their experiences in making sausages andwith them their experiences in making sausages and
smoking meats.  From that period, the number ofsmoking meats.  From that period, the number of
cattle in the area was increased and with more than acattle in the area was increased and with more than a
hundred years of refinement, such influence hashundred years of refinement, such influence has
resulted in today's reputation of Texas barbecue -resulted in today's reputation of Texas barbecue -
something that is not only delicious, but is worthy ofsomething that is not only delicious, but is worthy of
pride and celebration.pride and celebration.
Today, many of the establishments in Texas prepareToday, many of the establishments in Texas prepare
the Texas barbecue with much focus on the foodthe Texas barbecue with much focus on the food
preparation and the quality of their product.  Perhapspreparation and the quality of their product.  Perhaps
an important evidence to support this meticulousan important evidence to support this meticulous
preparation of the Texas barbecue is that most of thepreparation of the Texas barbecue is that most of the
respected barbecue stores throughout the state serverespected barbecue stores throughout the state serve
their Texas barbecue on butcher paper, with plastictheir Texas barbecue on butcher paper, with plastic
utensils and paper towels.   There are someutensils and paper towels.   There are some
barbecue stores also that offer deliveries for thosebarbecue stores also that offer deliveries for those
who wish to avail it.  The barbecues are typicallywho wish to avail it.  The barbecues are typically
delivered to your doorstep as fresh and wholesomedelivered to your doorstep as fresh and wholesome
as some of the finest restaurants in the state prepareas some of the finest restaurants in the state prepare
it.   They are usually vacuum-packed to lock all theit.   They are usually vacuum-packed to lock all the
aroma and flavor in, thus maintaining the delicious tastearoma and flavor in, thus maintaining the delicious taste
of the Texas barbecue.of the Texas barbecue.
What's more interesting to know about the way theWhat's more interesting to know about the way the
Texas barbecue is offered and served is that mostTexas barbecue is offered and served is that most
are inspected by the Food and Drug Administrationare inspected by the Food and Drug Administration
with the use of the highest standards available.   Thiswith the use of the highest standards available.   This
means that the Texas barbecue are prepared andmeans that the Texas barbecue are prepared and
served the way it should be served - fresh, tender,served the way it should be served - fresh, tender,
and yummy.and yummy.