Pancakes' Traditional Roles and Other Interesting Facts

Pancakes have been around us since Medieval times. They were mentioned in early cookbooks and in some poems and plays of famous poets. William Shakespeare, a famous playwright mentioned pancakes in some of his plays, while Benjamin Flankin wrote a letter to the London Gazetteer that includes his appreciation to American vegetable corn and pancakes.

Throwing up pancakes during shrove tuesdays

 In Ancient Rome, pancakes played a significant customary role related to religion wherein the first three pancakes cooked were considered sacred. These pancakes were marked with a cross, sprinkled with salt and used to drive away evil. In the same country and other neighboring countries, it is a tradition to eat bountiful pancakes during shrove Tuesdays. This was their way to say goodbye to animal ingredients such as eggs, butter, and milk which are all restricted during Lent . Shrove tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. Since then, there is this so-called National pancake day celebrated every year. It should be celebrated on the same day as Shrove Tuesday, before the beginning of the Lent of each year.

In 1986, The "World's Largest Pancake Breakfast" took place in Springfield Massachusetts, and became a memorable event on pancake history. Stacks of pancakes were served for breakfast and thousands of people enjoyed them as part of the celebration of Springfield Massachusetts 350th Anniversary. The free pancake breakfast has been held every year since the event. 

During Christmas, Homemade pancakes are called by children "Christmas pancakes". Serving pancakes on Christmas morning is another great thing to look forward to during Christmas season, and this has become a part of the Western tradition. Christmas pancakes are not just the plain ones, these are the ones formed into several cute shapes, slathered with different toppings and syrups such as butter, melted chocolate, maple syrup, honey-orange syrup and blueberry syrup.