Down by the Fireplace: Unwrapping Christmas' Coziest Flavors
With decked-out malls and Christmas music in the air, the holidays are just around the corner! Especially in the Philippines, Christmas is associated with many of our favorite traditions and characters. However, aside from the many gifts and festivities the season brings, there also remains another key element of the holidays that is well-loved by all: food. Christmas delicacies seamlessly carry a mix of nostalgia and warmth, making them eagerly anticipated each year. From gingerbread houses to peppermint lattes, Christmas’ many joy-filled flavors have made the holidays much more memorable. In celebration of this festive season, here are the tales behind these familiar treats.
Cinnamon
An essential ingredient in the homiest Christmas cookies, cinnamon has made itself known as one of the most popular spices and scents during the Christmas season. It is believed to have been used ever since the 3rd millennium BC, starting in China and later on spreading globally through trade. In Egypt, the spice played a vital role in preservation rituals, eventually becoming a symbol of immortality to the people. Cinnamon’s influence further expanded during the medieval period in Europe as a popular addition to winter recipes. It was during this point in history that its familiar flavor was discovered to be an antiseptic carrying properties capable of preventing hypothermia, providing a sweet and fragrant way to balance out the harshness of winter.
Gingerbread
When it comes to Christmas delicacies, gingerbread treats are definitely must-haves. Commonly associated with the witch’s candy-coated house from the Grimm Brothers’ tale “Hansel and Gretel,” these desserts’ creative designs have been widely spread during the holiday season. First brought into the realm of sugary treats by the Greeks, gingerbread was introduced in Europe by an Armenian monk named Gregory, who held classes on baking cookies for the French. Soon enough, gingerbread cookies became widely known and associated with Christmas by around the 17th century. After the rise of its popularity, gingerbread houses emerged shortly after. With the Germans’ gingerbread being tougher in comparison to others, the idea of building pretend houses covered in the colorful gumdrops, icing, and candy we see today was born.
Hot cocoa
No Christmas movie is complete without a scene of its protagonists warming up by a fireplace with a nice cup of hot chocolate. Over the years, many have speculated about its history and journey in becoming a top source of warmth during the holidays. One unique folktale dates back to the time of the Mayan and Aztec people, who regarded hot chocolate with high esteem. They believed that hot chocolate had some sort of supernatural power, drinking it at religious events to symbolize luxury and wealth. Others suggest that its attractive pull is simply due to the brain’s tendency to crave sugar and high-calorie delights, particularly in cold environments.
In the Philippines, it is our rich tablea hot chocolate that brings about this sense of comfort and warmth during the holidays. The consumption of this velvety smooth beverage holds great symbolism in our country and allows Filipinos to reconnect with their cultural heritage. The small disks of cacao were innovated during the Spanish colonization and have since been incorporated as a favorite in family traditions. Children would often prepare the warm beverage alongside their mothers or grandmothers, using the unique authenticity of tablea as a means to reflect upon the blessings in their lives.
Peppermint
With its distinct scent and refreshing flavor, peppermint has grown to be a fan-favorite ingredient in all kinds of desserts. It is commonly and widely used as an ingredient in candy canes. Some believe that it originated in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral during the 17th century when a choir conductor needed a way to keep the children quiet and on their best behavior. Peppermint candy was purposefully shaped like a staff to remind them of the shepherds during the nativity scene. Over time, more and more people began using them as ornaments for Christmas trees. Their alternating red and white stripes represent Christ’s purity and sacrifice for us, making it a timely reflection of the Christmas season. An essential ingredient in the homiest Christmas cookies, cinnamon has made itself known as one of the most popular spices and scents during the Christmas season. It is believed to have been used ever since the 3rd millennium BC, starting in China and later on spreading globally through trade. In Egypt, the spice played a vital role in preservation rituals, eventually becoming a symbol of immortality to the people. Cinnamon’s influence further expanded during the medieval period in Europe as a popular addition to winter recipes. It was during this point in history that its familiar flavor was discovered to be an antiseptic carrying properties capable of preventing hypothermia, providing a sweet and fragrant way to balance out the harshness of winter.
It’s remarkable how these flavors progressively became quintessential symbols of the holidays. Whether they come from humble origins or big-scale exchanges, Christmas delicacies never fail to hit the spot and stir up warm, fuzzy feelings within us. These timeless traditions have become home to some of the most awaited festivities for communities to enjoy and foster deeper relationships. However, beyond just being cozy treats, may they be our way of remembering the wonderful blessings that God has given us throughout this eventful year.
