There's Food in My Story - A Historical Tidbit about Gingerbread
by Scholastica Joycors - The Culinary Bard
SINCE THE LATE 14th century, Pierniki Toruńskie (Polish name for gingerbread) have been connected with Toruń in Polish proverbs and legends, this story is but one of them. The very first mention of Toruń gingerbread comes from 1380 and speaks of a local baker called Niclos Czana. The product quickly gained fame across Poland and abroad. Toruń and the city of Nuremberg, itself famous for special pancakes, were eager to protect the secrets of their recipes from each other. Finally in 1556, they formed an agreement by which each city could bake the specialties of the other. The artisans weren't the only ones engaged in the production of the delicacy. In the 16th century, the Cistercian Order on the outskirts of Toruń prospered mainly due to this activity and even sold their product to other countries.
The tradition of presenting a gift from the city of Toruń of gingerbread to distinguished Polish leaders, artists, and Kings dates back to the 14th century. Toruń's gingerbread is so famous that they hold an annual celebration of gingerbread called Święto Piernika - the Gingerbread Festival.
Bibliography
"Toruń Gingerbread". www.myfamilyhistoryresearch.com. Retrieved 03 December 2021.
"Pierniki toruńskie i nie tylko". www.icimss.edu.pl. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
"Z piernika król". Retrieved 20 June 2017.
"Wyborcza.pl". wyborcza.pl. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
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