What is the origin of the idiom "from scratch" and when to use it?

The phrase "from scratch" originated as a cooking term, meaning to start a recipe using only basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs. It implies that the cook is making everything from the very beginning, rather than using a pre-made mix or other shortcuts. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more broadly to describe starting any sort of project or task with no prior preparation or assistance. It suggests that the person or team must start with the very basics and build up from there.