“Silent Night” sounds softly on the radio, each note wrapping spirits with reverence and inward cheer. The Eve of Christmas is here, and you open the door to your baker friend’s home with eager anticipation...
For Gingerbread! The smell wafts through the air, sending warmth straight to your soul--a warmth much deeper than any oven ever could ever create. Your friend invites you to take bite out of a fresh gingerbread cookie, and you are convinced that Heaven must taste like this cookie...
But did you know that health, royalty, and so much more is baked into the legacy of this holiday treat? Reader, buckle up, for we are about to borrow Santa’s sleigh for a journey of gingerbread!
The Origins of Gingerbread
Gingerbread began in 2400 BC in ancient Greece, but not as the treat we have come to love today. The earliest form of gingerbread contained no ginger at all and was actually a honey cake!
Fast-forward to the 11th century and Middle East Crusaders discovered ginger spice. In China it was used for medicines, and finally English nobility began experimenting with the super spice when baking. Queen Elizabeth I created the first gingerbread men, in fact! She would bake her cookies in the image of royal guests.
In the 1600s, when ginger and spices became more accessible to commonfolk, gingerbread caught fire (not literally, thank God!). The treat began growing in popularity like never before...
But did these early gingerbread fans know know that they were eating what I would call a superfood treat?
Gingerbread Men and Health
Past people did you know / that your gingerbread / could increase circulation / Past people did you know / that your gingerbread / could calm the colds in your land?
I imagine those who enjoyed gingerbread knew it was a sweet treat with some health benefits, but today we have learned so much more about this Christmas staple.
Gingerbread can boost immunity to fight colds and contains many more health benefits. Here they are based on the ingredient:
gingerol, a naturally ocurring oil in gingerbread, is linked to its antinflammatory and antioxidant effects
allspice is linked to increased circulation and blood flow and also contains antioxidants that eliminate toxins from the body
cloves are high in manganese, which is essential to healthy brain function and strong bones
ginger (last but not least!) aids in digestion, lowering blood pressure, and boosting immunity, among many more benefits than can be counted on two hands
Now although I love gingerbread (as you might guess based upon my name), let’s be clear that it should be enjoyed in moderation. It is still a sweet treat, and sugar can have adverse effects on the body. The good news is that (1) gingerbread is largely sweetened with molasses, a natural sweetener containing vitamins and minerals that are good for you and (2) you can totally make a lower-sugar version of gingerbread (stay tuned for my healthier gingerbread recipe in an upcoming post!).
Gingerbread: Today And Beyond
Today Gingerbread is enjoyed across the world in versatile forms, from circles to three-dimensional houses! Here in America, families across the States share a tradition of building gingerbread houses constructed of cookies or graham crackers, icing, gum drops, and other candies. People in America generally build these houses at Christmastime. Gingerbread houses are popular to make, but ironically they are not popular to eat (the ingredients often harden more than most people prefer). For inspiration on crafting gingerbread houses, check out the HBO Max series Gingerbread Showdown for a gingerbread building competition!
In Poland, there is a famous gingerbread museum to match their famous gingerbread cookies. And Bergen, Norway has the largest gingerbread town in the world. This tradition began in 1991--the same year Ginger “Gingerbread” Gregory (aka yours truly) was born! (Look at God confirming that my name was meant to be Ginger.)
Conclusion
Gingerbread dates back to 2400 BC and has survived the taste test of time with its ever-increasing popularity today. Its unique blend of spices, molasses, and naturally occurring oils make it a supertreat loaded with health benefits. Gingerbread can and should be enjoyed, but it should be enjoyed in moderation and the recipe adjusted according to one’s sugar intake limits. This Christmas season, grab a warm cup of milk, coffee, or tea, and enjoy gingerbread...
A most wonderful treat for the most wonderful time of the year.
Comments