Embedded Files
In this piece, Mia will be informing readers about how peppermint came to be associated with the holidays.
HOW PEPPERMINT BECAME A SYMBOL OF CHRISTMAS
By Mia Bartscher
Around the holidays, the world explodes into a craze of peppermint-flavored everything. From Starbucks to Pringles, seemingly every food manufacturer comes up with some form of peppermint-flavored product. Peppermint is associated with Christmas in the minds of many people, and the reason behind the tie is the result of several components.
Photo Credit: Britannica
Peppermint, a plant created as a hybrid of water mint and spearmint, was originally grown in Europe and the Middle East. It was consumed for its medicinal properties, soothing symptoms such as nausea and indigestion. Although lacking solid evidence, there are two main theories as to why peppermint was eaten during the holidays. According to Allrecipes, “people were — and still are — attracted to [peppermint’s] natural healing properties as wintertime is when many suffer colds.” During a time when people were more likely to get sick, they migrated toward the healing peppermint, which could be why peppermint became a Christmas symbol. The other theory about the origin of holiday peppermint is because of its contrast to the traditionally rich foods of the holiday. During a time of heavy meals, peppermint could have been used as a palate cleanser and helped with indigestion.
However, the true popularization of peppermint as a token of the holidays is mostly the effect of one object: the candy cane. Candy canes are one of the most recognizable symbols of Christmas, and they are a large part of why peppermint is associated with the holidays. In addition to peppermint, candy canes have a very uncertain background, though theirs has been the object of many a debate, though some things are certain. TIME states that, “The first documented use of candy canes in the U.S. dates back to 1847, when German-Swedish immigrant August Imgard decorated a blue spruce tree with candy canes and paper ornaments.” It is believed that the hook in a candy cane was implemented in order for it to be used as a decoration. Still, the candy cane was not popularized until the 1950s, when the production of candy canes was mechanized and the candy could be mass produced. Before then, candymakers had to twist each candy by hand.
Many people believe that candy canes have roots in religion. As reported by Epicurious, one idea as to the origin of the candy cane was set in 1600s Germany. Some believe that the candy cane was invented by a choirmaster, who, during a live Nativity, was looking for a way to keep boisterous children quiet. The story goes that he asked a local candymaker to create a special hard confection to keep the kids busy during the reenactment. Because of the religious nature of the Nativity, the candy was shaped into a cane resembling a shepherd’s staff. Another religious theory of the shape is that the cane, when turned upside down, resembles a “J” for Jesus. There are those who believe the symbolism extends even further. According to a seventeenth century English story, “The white 'body' of the candy can refers to Christ's flesh, while the thick red stripe references his blood; the three tiny red stripes represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”
Photo Credit: Food and Wine
Photo Credit: Spangler Candy
Although these stories are interesting to hear, there is little to no evidence supporting any part of them. In fact, Allrecipes reports that nativity scenes had stopped being performed live almost two hundred years before the story of the choirmaster took place, therefore rendering the story impossible. Furthermore, there is little evidence of a tie between candy canes and religion. In fact, the only part remotely religious about candy canes is the inventor of the machine that mass produced them. As stated by Smithsonian Magazine, “[Father] Keller’s machine automated this process and…made it so the candy canes came out perfect nearly every time.” Though the shape of the candy cane was not necessarily influenced by Christians, they certainly helped with the machine that manufactured them.
Peppermint is a well-known flavor that conjures images of mistletoe and reindeer in many a mind of people all over, but it owes most of its success and acclaim to the candy cane. The candy cane has come a long way from the white stick it started as, and today it has become one of the most recognizable flavors of the Christmas season.
Peppermint brownies
Peppermint brownies
Peppermint Brownies are the perfect combination of peppermint and chocolate, and are a perfect holiday treat. This recipe comes from the marvelous people at Food and Wine.
Ingredients:
-2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed, and more for grease
-1 pound chopped bittersweet chocolate
-2 teaspoons peppermint extract
-4 large eggs
-1 3/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
-1 teaspoon fine sea salt
-⅓ cup crushed candy canes (about 4)
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a 9x13 pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
Step 2: Combine ⅔ of the bittersweet chocolate with the butter in a heatproof bowl. Make a double boiler by setting the bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir it until melted. Scrape the mixture into a different bowl and leave to cool slightly. Add the rest of the chocolate to the now-empty bowl with the peppermint extract and melt over the water. Remove from heat and leave to cool slightly.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix the eggs and brown sugar together until combined. Whisk in the butter-chocolate mixture until smooth and glossy. Mixture will be thick. Add the flour gradually and mix until just combined. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Place dollops of the peppermint-chocolate mixture onto the batter and stir in with a butter knife.
Step 4: Bake the brownies for 15 minutes. Take the brownies out and sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top, then bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with “moist crumbs” and the edges are set. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan.
Page updated
Report abuse