History of Gingerbread Baking in Central and Eastern Europe

Tis the season for gingerbread…. or is it?

Strangely, gingerbread didn’t just begin as a sweet treat for the Christmas season but was actually an important element for many cultures in Central and Eastern Europe.  

Here’s a brief look at the history of gingerbread baking in the region.

Origin of the Gingerbread

Gingerbread has been baked in Europe for centuries. The first gingerbread is thought to have been made by Catholic monks in the 12th century after ginger was introduced in the region from the Middle East. Often depicting saints and other religious motifs, the early carvings were made with a large and elaborately carved “cookie board” that impressed the pattern onto a stiff rolled dough.

Soon afterwards, different varieties of gingerbread appeared throughout Europe. The variations differed widely from sweet, dark, spicy, soft or crunchy; the only common characteristic was the ginger spice.

The Gingerbread Guilds

The guilds were an essential part of gingerbread baking in Europe. In the 17th century, governments established guilds where the craft could be taught and preserved. Even carpenters, sculptors, painters and goldsmiths participated in the gingerbread guilds by building and painting molds. To become a member of the guild, a baker had to pass the guild regulations to produce a masterpiece which gave evidence of his skills.

Major centers of gingerbread guilds in Central and Eastern Europe included Nürnberg, Pest, Prague, Pardubice, Pulsnitz, Ulm and Torun.

Types of Gingerbread

In Germany, gingerbread is referred to as Lebkuchen or Pfefferkuchen. It is unclear about the origin of the name but the most probable explanation stems from “libum” as in Latin for a flat, round unleavened cake. The main ingredients include honey and various spices such as aniseed, coriander, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and allspice. Nuts and candied fruit are often included as well. Lebkuchen also takes the form of the edible Hexenhaus (witch’s house), also known as Hansel and Gretel’s house after the famed Grimm’s fairy tale. A harder type of Lebkuchen is used to produce Lebkuchen Hearts, usually inscribed with icing, which are available at many fairs and festivals including Oktoberfest.

The city of Nuremberg is associated with a long tradition of gingerbread baking in Germany. The Zeidler guild, which ran a successful bee-keeping and bee-breeding business in a forest near Nuremberg, provided the bakers with direct access to the honey.

In Poland, the most famous gingerbread is from the city of Torun called Pierniki Torunskie. The first references to gingerbread baking in Torun date from 1380 and are associated with Niclos Czan, one of the Torun bakers of the period. Pierniki Torunskie recipes vary from baker to baker. Most were well-guarded secrets and the recipe exchange between bakers was limited. However, some types of Pierniki Torunskie include chocolate coating and filling as well as the standard honey and ginger versions.

Russia also has a long tradition of gingerbread baking. Gingerbread is referred to as Prianiki and is considered to be more like a cake or loaf. It can be made into various shapes and sizes. The most popular Prianiki comes from Tula, south of Moscow which is known for metal crafts and samovar production. A famous Prianik museum still stands in Tula today.

Occasions and Use of Gingerbread

Although gingerbread is mostly associated with Christmas, it is also made for many other occasions. During the medieval ages, women would give gingerbread to men as love tokens. These gingerbreads would be intricately shaped and decorated with romantic sentiments. As well, gingerbread moulds often displayed the “news”, showing carved portraits of new kings, emperors, and queens. Substantial mould collections are held at the Ethnographic Museum in Torun, Poland and the Bread Museum in Ulm, Germany.

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2. Traditional Christmas Customs of Central and Eastern Europe
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4. Best iPhone apps for travel to Central & Eastern Europe
5. Trabant Tours: Nostalgic Sightseeing in Central and Eastern Europe

Tags: Gingerbread, Lebkuchen, Pfefferkuchen

Category: History