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The return of spring brings many things- fresh blossoms, bird song, and for many of us, what feels like a new lease of life. Bright new beginnings call for celebration, and for civilizations throughout history that has meant one thing- the humble hot cross bun.
Eating a warm and generously buttered hot cross bun can feel like a religious experience, so you’d be forgiven for believing they were a Christian treat. The white cross emblazoned across the top seems like it could mean nothing else.
Indeed, the invention of the hot cross buns is widely credited to the Cathedral of St Albans, where a 14th Century Monk baked spiced buns to distribute to the poor on Good Friday.
In truth, Religions have been fighting over hot cross buns for millennia, and who can blame them- I too have been known to start a scuffle over them myself!
The Saxons ate buns marked with crosses during pagan spring celebrations to honour Eostre- Goddess of spring and fertility. The crosses, in this lifetime, signified the four phases of the moon. Similar practices have been documented across the globe- Greeks indulged in honour of Artemis (Goddess of the moon, maidens and the hunt) and the Romans in honour of her Latin counterpart, Diana.
Christianity was quick to co-opt the pagan spring festival, bringing new life to the hot cross bun. The cross was repurposed as a signifier of the crucifix and Eostre, although immortalized in naming the festival ‘Easter’, was forgotten in the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
Alongside this religious relevance, the hot cross bun is the centre of a rich history of folklore. Legend has it that if you hang a freshly baked hot cross bun from the kitchen rafters on Good Friday (and manage to resist the temptation of eating it!) it will remain fresh and mould free for the entire year.
Almost like an edible evil eye, a hanging hot cross bun will protect against evil spirits and act as a magical kitchen cure all- not a single loaf will burn under its protection.
When crumbled into water, these treats were used to treat all manner of ills and ailments. Perhaps this Easter miracle could save us from the Covid pandemic?
Sailors would often take the buns on long voyages, as they were said to reduce the chance of shipwrecks. However- this magical protection does have its limits. Hot cross buns have been found in the ruins at Herculaneum (a city neighbouring Pompeii, also preserved by the blast) - clearly, their cover doesn’t extend to volcanic eruptions!
Much like the Christians and the pagans, I’m sure we’ll all be fighting over the last hot cross buns this season, meaning it may be time to get baking! So why not try out this week’s recipe and bake some of our beautiful boozy hot cross bun and butter pudding with Duncan's delectable blossom custard. Whether you dedicate them to Artemis, Eostre or Jesus, Easter is the perfect time to break (deliciously spicy) bread and celebrate the beginning of spring.
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[…] Egg Hunts in Karachi, to watching the sun dance on Easter Morning. Sit back and have a cuppa and a hot cross bun as I take you on a nostaglic trip down memory lane with a poignent message. I used to love going […]