Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: June 6th, 2022. Today is National Gingerbread Day and if I was still in my home I would have invited my sister Debbie over to make Gingerbread with me in memory of my dad who used to make it for us for Breakfast. Would you like to share Gingerbread with us once I’m in my new home?
National Gingerbread Day!
Five Facts about Gingerbread
- Gingerbread originates from ancient Greeks and Egyptians who used Gingerbread as a ceremonial offering.
- The term Gingerbread is from the Latin term Zingiber via old French Gingebras, meaning preserved Ginger.
- In Nuremberg, Ulm and Pulsnitz in Germany, Torun in Poland, Tula in Russia, the making of Gingerbread is considered a Fine Art .
- After the Brothers Grimm’s “Hansel and Gretel” story published, the Gingerbread house making became popular throughout Europe.
- In 992, Gingerbread was first brought to Europe by an Armenian Monk named Gregory of Nicopolis.
‘Tis the Season to celebrate National Gingerbread Day, a holiday that comes on June 5th each year. While the origins of this event remain shrouded in mystery lovers of Gingerbread come together to celebrate Gingerbread in all its forms on this holiday.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL GINGERBREAD DAY
Earlier, Gingerbread meant ‘preserved Ginger’, which came from the Old French term ‘gingerbras’, which in turn was derived from ‘zingebar’, the Latin term for Ginger.
The Spice that gives Gingerbread its Spicy flavor originated in China, where Gingerwas traditionally used as a medical treatment. Ginger spread to Europe via the Silk Road. Early Crusaders brought back this Spice from the Middle East to experiment with. They would add Ginger to preserved Meats and medicinal remedies too.
The earliest forms of Gingerbread didn’t even use Ginger and were not always Bread. They were essentially Honey Cakes. As the spice became more affordable to the masses, Gingerbread trend caught on.
The ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Gingerbread for ceremonial purposes. Gingerbread were even a staple in Medieval Fairs across England, France, Holland, and Germany. At this time Gingerbread was sold as hard Cookies in the shape of animals, kings, and queens, and were occasionally gilded with gold leaf. This decoration is credited to Queen Elizabeth I, who had Cookies decorated in this fashion. Over time, fairs in England were called Gingerbread Fairs, and Gingerbread Cookies served there were known as ‘fairings.’ The shapes would change according to the season: Flowers in the Spring and Birds in the Fall.
The earliest Gingerbread Man is also credited to Queen Elizabeth I, who reportedly presented visiting Dignitaries to her court with these human-shaped Gingerbread treats.
The Grimm Brothers’ story “Hansel and Gretel” put Gingerbread houses on the map and German settlers brought this trend to the Americas. Gingerbread is now considered an art form in many places including Nuremberg, Ulm, and Pulsnitz in Germany, Torun in Poland, Tula in Russia, Pest in Hungary, Pardubice and Prague in the Czech Republic, and Lyon in France. These places have had baking guilds sanctioned by the government since the Middle Ages.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL GINGERBREAD DAY
- Whip up a batch of Gingerbread Cookies. Or you could make Gingerbread Pancakes with a fun Fruity topping. Bake Gingerbread Cupcakes. Go Medieval and chow on Crystallized Ginger. Or, if you are not a fan, cook up a delicious Ginger-flavored dish. Gingerbread is not just about the Cookies, there are many variations to this recipe that we are sure you will find a recipe you like.
- Another fun way to celebrate is to visit your local Bakery to purchase Gingerbread treats. Try out exotic options too, if you can find them. Including Polish ‘piernik’, Dutch ‘speculaas’, Croatian ‘licitars. Or find the American version of the Spicy Polish Gingerbread Cake that is sometimes served with Lemon Glaze.
- Revisit the Fairy Tales from your childhood and take a walk down memory lane. This time, check out the unabridged versions meant for adults. Some fun stories to sample include “The Gingerbread Man” and “Hansel and Gretel.”
5 FACTS ABOUT GINGERBREAD
- Swedish tradition says to put Gingerbread onto your palm, make a wish, and break it. If the Gingerbread breaks into three, your wish will come true.
- In the early ages, folk medicine practitioners gave Gingerbread men to young women. If the woman could get a young man to eat the Gingerbread it was believed the man would fall madly in love with the women.
- The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Tucson, Arizona has a life-size Gingerbread House that people can book for a private lunch or dinner.
- Traditions Golf Club in Texas is in the Guinness Book of Records for creating the world’s largest Gingerbread House, which can comfortably house a family of five.
- Many Colonial American Seaside homes boast carved white architectural details called ‘Gingerbread work’ that is inspired by the designs used on Gingerbread Cookies served at Gingerbread Fairs in Medieval times.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL GINGERBREAD DAY
- Traditionally, Gingerbread was only eaten over the Christmas holidays. Probably because Gingerbread was considered sacred. Even today, Gingerbread is associated with this time in most households across America. Biting into Gingerbread transports us straight into the holiday Season. We love feeling like every day is Christmas, and that’s why we love National Gingerbread Day.
- “You can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man.” Who doesn’t remember these words being read to them as children? Gingerbread is not just a feast for the mouth, Gingerbread actively reminds us of Fairy Tales that have the power to transport us back to our childhood. Isn’t that is a beautiful feeling?
- There are many things you can do with Gingerbread. Including creating Cookies shaped like Men, soft Cakes, harder Cookies, Gingerbread Houses. Showing there’s a Gingerbread for everyone. Gingerbread has different meanings depending on the region and Country the Gingerbread is made in. The next time you are stumped for gifts, maybe give your loved ones Gingerbread.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
