Pick a Spice

Pick a Spice

If I had to pick one spice that evokes Christmas, it would probably be ginger. Gingerbread, their houses and people, with icings, trimmings, and flavors are all a part of Christmas. In Medieval England, the term gingerbread simply meant “preserved ginger” and wasn’t applied to the treats we are familiar with until the 15th century. The term now, however, is broadly used to describe any type of sweet treat that combines ginger with honey, treacle or molasses.

Ginger root was first cultivated in ancient China, where it was commonly used as a medical treatment. From China, it spread to Europe via the Silk Road and during the Middle Ages it was favored as a spice for its ability to disguise the taste of preserved meats. Henry VIII is said to have used a ginger in hopes of building a resistance to the plague. Even today we use ginger as an effective remedy when we are not feeling great.

Gingerbread houses originated in Germany in the 16th century 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. It is unclear whether or not gingerbread houses were a result of the popular fairy tale, or vice versa.

The ginger cookies this holiday, are from my sister, I loved these cookies growing up and am glad to share some of my Christmas traditions and flavors with you.