Ögingerbread storyextends over many centuries and continents. Read on to learn more about the evolution of this traditional Christmas gift.
Did you know that the second Saturday in Decemberday of eatingset aside every year as National Gingerbread Decorating Day?
It is one of the many national gingerbread themed days that we honor each year. Find out more about national holidays by reading ourNational Day Guide.
If you've ever wondered where gingerbread men come from, why are we making them?gingerbread houses, and why gingerbread is a symbol of Christmas, you've come to the right place. Let's delve into the rich history of this tasty delicacy.
This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link.
The origin of honey bread
The word "gingerbread" comes from the Latin wordZingiber(this comes from the Old French wordGinger), which refers to pickled ginger.
Before we talk about gingerbread, we must first talk about ginger, the spice. comes from originallyMaritime Southeast Asia, and was one of the first spices to be exported from Asia through the spice trade.
Over the years,redheadIt was believed to have medicinal properties and qualities. Today, we still use ginger to treat certain types of ailments (like drinking ginger ale when you're feeling down).
The ancient Greek and Egyptian civilizations created a version of gingerbread, but what we call gingerbread today was not introduced until 992 AD.
An Armenian monk named Gregory of Nicopolis brought this gingerbread to Europe in 992 AD.
Since then, gingerbread has undergone many changes and is available in many different varieties. Gingerbread can be anything from amoist caketo a hard gingerbread cookie.
We love making gingerbread cookies for the holidays, but do you know the story behind our love for this yummy treat? For more information, see Always the Holidays. #gingerbread #celebratory food 👨🍳🍜click to tweet
The Story of the Gingerbread Men
In the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I (ruled 1533 to 1603) treated her guests, admirers and dignitaries to gingerbread men.
Although she didn't invent gingerbread cookies, her new idea of making gingerbread men was the first of its kind.
He had gingerbread cookies cut into the shapes of gingerbread men and decorated them to look like his guests. Having these little gingerbread men made in the likeness of their visitors impressed them!
This new gingerbread cookie gained popularity in England after Queen Elizabeth I changed the dessert.
Women in England started making gingerbread men and decorating them to look like the husbands they hoped would one day have.
Although it was superstitious, it was thought that if a single woman ate one of these gingerbread men, it would help her find a real husband.
If you want to learn more about Queen Elizabeth's influence on other holiday dishes, check out our postthe history of the hot cross buns.
Hot Cross Buns sind atraditional Easter breadsurrounded like gingerbread by stories of a superstitious nature. Additionally have Hot Cross BunsYour own national holiday, like gingerbread!
The history of the gingerbread houses
In the sixteenth century in Germany,gingerbread housesYou were created. These houses had gingerbread walls and were decorated with foil and gold leaf.
If Grimm's Fairy TalesJuan and MariaWritten in 1812, gingerbread houses rose in popularity.
In the story, two boys lost in the woods find a house made entirely of candy. If you haven't read it yet, I won't spoil the story, but I suggestread for yourself here.
gingerbread housesnow decorated with much more than gold leaf and foil, you can use any candy available to make a spectacular gingerbread house. Many use a special kind ofroyal icingto put the parts together.
The Guinness Book of Recordsclaims Texas holds the record for largest gingerbread house at 1,110.1 m³ (39,201.8 ft³).
When this gingerbread house was built, its purpose was to raise money for a trauma hospital ward by charging guests a fee to visit the gingerbread house. It was so popular thatRaised over $150,000to the infirmary!
honey bread capital of the world
Germany is not only the birthplace of the gingerbread houses, but also a center of gingerbread activities. WhileChristmas time, There are street markets all over Germany.
Nuremberg was even named the world capital of gingerbread in 1600!
In Germany there are two types of Lebkuchen, also known as Lebkuchen. One version is a soft cookie and the other is meit's a harder biscuit.
The chewy gingerbread is usually made in the shape of a heart and has a love message written in frosting. They are sold at street markets in many cities in Germany around Christmas time and have become a token of love for your partner.
Nuremberg gingerbread
Since July 1996, the gingerbread from Nuremberg (called "Nuremberg Lebkuchen")protected geographical indicationThe European Union.
This means that for gingerbread the designation "Nuremberg bread“You have to come from the Nuremberg region and meet certain requirements.
It's the same philosophy of sparkling wine called champagne.
Sparkling wine can be made anywhere. However, the only ones that can be called champagne come from Champagne in France and meet certain quality standards.
learn more about itdifferent types of wineBe sure to visit oursWine temperature guidewhich contains useful information on serving and storing red and white wine.
Why is gingerbread associated with Christmas?
In the 17th century, gingerbread was often shaped in the image of religious icons and was therefore considered a sacred custom.
Throughout the year, only specially trained gingerbread bakers who were members of a bakers' guild were allowed to bake gingerbread.
At Christmas and Easter, this guild obligation was lifted and everyone could bake gingerbread. At all other times of the year, however, only gingerbread that belonged to the baker's guild were allowed to bake.
Gingerbread is no longer treated as a sacred religious practice and can be baked by anyone at any time. Although gingerbread can be baked all year round, it is still primarily considered aChristmas holiday symbol.
Nowadays many houses built gingerbread houses,baking cookiesmade of gingerbread, and some even decorate their Christmas trees with gingerbread wreaths!
You can even visitChristmas themed shopsand buy specially made gingerbread cookies to share with loved ones over the holidays.
Interesting facts about gingerbread
Now that you know a little more about gingerbread cookies, let's dive into some fun facts about gingerbread cookies!
- There are three national days to celebrate gingerbread: National Gingerbread Day,National Gingerbread Cookie Dayand National Gingerbread House Day.
- The gingerbread house, which holds the Guinness World Records title for largest gingerbread house, was 21 feet tall, covered 2,520 square feet and contained 35.8 million calories.
- In 1784, George Washington's mother, Mary Ball Washington, had her ownHoney bread recipe.
- According to Swedish tradition, you can make a wish with gingerbread. All you have to do is make a wish, place the cookie in your left palm and press the center with your right thumb. If the cookie breaks into three pieces and you eat them all without speaking, your wish will come true!
- In 1600, Nuremberg, Germany was proclaimed the Gingerbread Capital of the World, and it still is today!
Other publications of historical curiosities
Are you a fan of learning the story behind other foods, inventions and trends? If so, be sure to read these posts as well for more information.
- history of mistletoe"Have you ever wondered why kissing under the mistletoe is a tradition?" Find out this and much more!
- Facts about poinsettias– This plant has historically been a symbol of Christmas and even has its own national holiday (National Day of the Poinsettia) that falls in December.
- Candy Apples vs Candy Apples– Where do they come from, which one is better and why are they historically significant?
- Curiosities about the blueberry– This berry is, and still is, a symbol of Thanksgivingtwo national holidaysassociated with her!
- The History of Christmas Cards– Meet the first Christmas card andchristmas card dayAlso!
- Chinese new year– Are you curious about the Chinese New Year and want to know more? Check out this page!
- Cupid and Valentine's Day- Take a look at the two Greek myths that connect Cupid to Valentine's Day:The Story of Apollo and Daphne, mithe story of Cupid and Psyche.
- History of the Bikini– This garment changed fashion as we know it in 1946. Find out more about his controversial introduction to the fashion scene!
- History of Records– It is true that trends are always changing and items are constantly becoming more popular and less popular. See why vinyl records never tarnish their shine!
- Origin of Irish Coffee– Did you know that there is no Irish coffee without seaplanes, a good-natured chef and bad weather?
- National Tea Day–No matter what kind of tea you like, iced or hot, this onetea suitsthey are for you!
Pin this Gingerbread Story post for later
Do you want to remember this post about the history of gingerbread? Simply pin this image to one of your imagesTrivia boards on Pinterestso you can easily find it later.
About the author
Since graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Jess has lived and worked in Los Angeles, California. She is a freelance writer specializing in content related to fashion, food and drink, and film industry issues.Learn more about Jess here.
FACT CHECK: Our editorial team strives to be accurate and fair in all publications. If you see something that doesn't look right, pleaseClick hereto contact us. Always the Holidays regularly reviews and updates its content to ensure it is complete and accurate.
FAQs
What is the story behind gingerbread houses? ›
According to certain researchers, the first gingerbread houses were the result of the well-known Grimm's fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel" in which the two children abandoned in the forest found an edible house made of bread with sugar decorations.
What is the true meaning behind the gingerbread man? ›The gingerbread man story's moral is slightly dark for a fable meant for children: Be careful who you trust. The cookie believed the fox when he said he wasn't tempted to eat him—this misguided trust led to the protagonist's downfall.
What is the connection between gingerbread houses and Christmas? ›The elaborate cookie-walled houses, decorated with foil in addition to gold leaf, became associated with Christmas tradition. Their popularity rose when the Brothers Grimm wrote the story of Hansel and Gretel, in which the main characters stumble upon a house made entirely of treats deep in the forest.
What is the dark history of gingerbread? ›Within a few years of Queen Elizabeth's death, the gingerbread pendulum had swung to the dark side. The sweet fell so far out of favor that Dutch magistrates declared it illegal to bake or eat the molded cookies. Witches supposedly made gingerbread figures, ate them, and thereby caused the death of their enemies.
Why is gingerbread a symbol of Christmas? ›Some people believe the fairytale Hansel and Gretel was based on this tradition while other historians believe creating gingerbread houses was influenced by the story. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are credited with popularizing the Christmas Tree and incorporating gingerbread into Christmas.
Why are gingerbread cookies associated with Christmas? ›In the late 17th century, gingerbread became associated with Christmas. Russian bakers prepared gingerbread men and women, usually as replicas of those people attending parties. Gingerbread houses were introduced about 200 years later, when the Grimm brothers wrote Hansel and Gretel. A new holiday tradition was born.
Why did the gingerbread boy not say anything at all? ›e) What made the Gingerbread Boy not say anything more at all? Ans: The Gingerbread Boy did not say anything more at all as there was nothing of him left. 6.
What are gingerbread men called now? ›Supermarket giant Morrisons has come under "woke" scrutiny recently after deciding to rename gingerbread men for reasons of "inclusivity". The £1.39 treat is now called a "gingerbread person", causing outrage among traditional gingerbreadmen lovers.
When did gingerbread houses become a Christmas tradition? ›Gingerbread houses are built all over the world around the Christmas period, but they originally came from Germany in the 16th century. Traditionally the cookie houses were decorated with foil and gold leaf which became associated with Christmas tradition.
What are some fun facts about gingerbread houses? ›Gingerbread houses can be traced back to Ancient Greece and Egypt. There is a Swedish tradition in which people use gingerbread to make a wish. The word “gingerbread' derives from the Old French word “gingebras”, meaning “preserved ginger”.
What fairytale is popular for gingerbread houses? ›
But in spite of gingerbread house-decorating's cozy holiday connotations, the roots of this tradition may lie in the folktale Hansel and Gretel. Now, gingerbread houses didn't start with the Brothers Grimm.
Are gingerbread houses religious? ›One family tradition that many Americans do during Christmas is build gingerbread houses together, a symbol of family and of home. Although not a religious tradition, it does remind us that being together as a family is God-given and something to be thankful for.
How did cookies become a Christmas tradition? ›Those who would like to take credit for the invention of the Christmas cookie will have to arm wrestle the Germans for it. They believe that Weihnachtsplätzchen, a term that refers specifically to cookies and broadly to holiday treats, encompasses the origin of Christmas baking.
Is gingerbread associated with Christmas? ›From festively shaped biscuits to extravagantly decorated gingerbread houses, gingerbread has become a culinary staple of Christmas.
Are gingerbread houses just for Christmas? ›I used some left over Christmas candy to make my own little house of love! red, white and pink which would make it easier. I lined it with hearts instead of icicles and put heart buttons on my gingerbread guy.