2016Christmas - First Day Cover

Modern Christmas biscuits can trace their history to recipes from Medieval Europe.By the Middle Ages, the Christmas holiday had overtaken solstice rituals throughout much of present-dayEurope. However, the old feast traditions remained and while the roast and drink recipes were probably quitesimilar to what earlier Europeans had enjoyed, the pastry world was experiencing some amazing changes.Spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper were just starting to be widely used and dried exotic fruits likecitron, apricots and dates added sweetness and texture to the dessert tray. These items, along with ingredientslike sugar, lard and butter, would have been prized as expensive delicacies by medieval cooks. Only on themost important holiday could families aff ord treats like these, which led to a baking bonanza to prepare forChristmas. Unlike pies or cakes, biscuits could be easily shared and given to friends and neighbours. Thus ourmodern Christmas biscuits date back to these medieval gifts.