![]() Originating in Nuremberg, Germany, around the 14 th century, lebkuchen cookies are typically made with ginger, honey, nutmeg, allspice, nuts, and candied citrus such as lemon or orange. This German word for gingerbread refers not just to the hard spiced cookies Germans know and love, but a true art form. We can’t talk about gingerbread house history without talking about lebkuchen. This may have contributed to the popularity of gingerbread as a Christmas treat. These guilds made sure only certified professional bakers could make and sell gingerbread, except during holidays like Christmas and Easter. The art of gingerbread baking became so serious in parts of western Europe, such as France and Germany (more on that later), that special gingerbread guilds were formed to protect local practices. At local Gingerbread Fairs, bakers would serve elaborately decorated or gilded (painted with gold leaf) gingerbread cookies shaped like people, animals, or flowers depending on the season and region. Others credit Russian bakers with first shaping gingerbread cookies like men and women.Įither way, it’s clear that festively decorated gingerbread became popular across western Europe during the Middle Ages. Some (including Avey) say it was Elizabeth I of England who made the very first “gingerbread man” when she had gingerbread cookies shaped and decorated to resemble visiting foreign dignitaries. However, it was with ginger-based sweet treats that things really got interesting. The spice was used as a remedy for stomach and digestive issues, as well as to mask the odor and flavor of preserved meat. Though ginger root originates in Asia, the spice became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages for both culinary and medicinal purposes. That makes gingerbread literally thousands of years old! Later recipes were found in China as early as the 10 th century, before ginger was brought to western Europe around the 10 th or 11 th century, probably during the Crusades. Ancient (gingerbread) historyĪccording to food writer Tori Avey citing Rhonda Massingham Hart, the first-ever gingerbread recipe originated in ancient Greece in 2400 BC. Whether you’re a veteran constructor of these candy-covered cottages or have never even attempted to make one, we’re sure you’ll get a kick out of the following facts from gingerbread house history. There’s no better example of this than the beloved Christmas tradition of the gingerbread house. ![]() ![]() From iced sugar cookies in festive shapes to candy wreaths and candy canes hanging on the Christmas tree, who doesn’t love an ornament you can eat?Īnd while Youtube, Pinterest, and a whole host of baking shows have popularized new ways to decorate your desserts, it turns out people have actually been playing with their food for a really long time. For anyone with a sweet tooth and a penchant for arts and crafts, the holidays are the best time of year.
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