Dorothy FarrarGingerbread
Gingerbread , which is particularly associated with Christmas, is small cakes with wafers and honey . Since they have a long tradition, there are now numerous variants and recipes.
Here’s what you should know about gingerbread
Gingerbread is also known as gingerbread. The pastry is mainly sweetened with honey and also refined with exotic spices. Gingerbread is eaten especially at Christmas time. The first gingerbread was baked around 350 BC. They have always been considered a nutritious food.
The time of origin could not be determined exactly. However, gingerbread is said to have existed in Europe as early as the Middle Ages. They enjoyed increasing popularity and appeared mainly in the cities that were located at the junctions of the trade routes for rather rare spices. At that time, all exotic spices were still grouped together under the name “pepper”, which is also where the colloquial name gingerbread comes from.
The ingredients for the gingerbread are available all year round, but their peak season is still around Christmas time. The gingerbread is soft, mostly round, has a wafer and is coated with white or dark icing. The delicious taste of honey and spices is also typical of the gingerbread . Potash is used during production , which loosens up the pastry with the acid in the dough and ensures that the gingerbread spreads. The deer horn salt used ensures that the dough rises.
importance to health
Those who enjoy eating gingerbread can do so with a clear conscience, as they are healthy and relatively low in fat, with the exception of gingerbread with a chocolate coating . Typical gingerbread spices include anise , cloves , cardamom , coriander , ginger , allspice , and cinnamon . They calm the stomach , relax and the fiber stimulates digestion . The bile function is also promoted.
The hot root of ginger helps against nausea . It contains many valuable minerals, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. Ginger protects the gastric mucosa . The oil contained in anise, for example, has an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and expectorant effect. Cinnamon and ginger can also regulate high blood sugar .
Blood fat levels are also lowered by eating gingerbread. Cloves contain antioxidants, which can protect cells and prevent cancer . They are also effective against colds and inflammation in the throat and mouth . The coriander helps against coughs . The substance eugenol inhibits inflammation, especially in the bladder and kidney area .
The cardamom provides increased concentration and strengthens the body and mind. The gingerbread also boosts the immune system because the nuts and almonds used contain numerous valuable and important fatty acids. The B vitamins, which are abundant in almonds and nuts, have an antidepressant effect and increase general well-being.
Ingredients & nutritional values
Characteristic of the gingerbread is that they contain plenty of sweetener, which is traditionally honey. Water, milk and fat are added little or not at all. The dry, high-sugar texture means that gingerbread has a fairly long shelf life. It is also very typical that they are heavily seasoned and therefore taste very strong and sweet. The gingerbread spices used include anise, ginger, fennel, cardamom, coriander, nutmeg, mace, cloves, cinnamon and allspice.
| Calories and nutrients (per 100g) | ||
| kilocalories/kilojoules | 412 kcal/ 1727 kj | |
| protein | 8,77 g | |
| carbohydrates | 49,40 g | |
| Fett | 19,81 g | |
| Water | 15,20 g | |
| fiber | 5,17 g | |
| Vitamin B3 | 1389 µg | |
| Vitamin E | 8874 µg | |
intolerances
People who are allergic to pollen should be careful when eating the gingerbread, because many of them suffer from a cross-allergy to the spices used. This can cause a rash , tingling in the mouth, a swollen throat and even shortness of breath . The gingerbread that is packaged in the supermarket is usually marked with an allergy notice. The hazelnuts contained in the gingerbread can also lead to an allergy.
Shopping and kitchen tips
When buying gingerbread, you should pay attention to good quality, because some specimens almost melt in your mouth, while others taste rather floury and chewy. The gingerbread can also differ in terms of seasoning. The gingerbread should smell and taste exotic and seductive instead of being tasteless and just sweet.
The main quality criterion for gingerbread is the proportion of hazelnuts or almonds . The higher this is, the finer and lighter the gingerbread tastes. Proper storage that is not too warm is just as important. Once the packaging has been opened, the gingerbread should be stored away from light in a cookie jar, where it will keep for around six to nine months.
preparation tips
Gingerbread is of course very popular as a snack, but cooking with gingerbread also has a long tradition. Almost all varieties without a chocolate or sugar coating are suitable for this, especially the gingerbread with sauce. This variant is often used to refine and thicken dark sauces, for red cabbage or sauerbraten. For this purpose, the cakes are crumbled and soaked in the liquid according to the recipe, for example milk, cream, water or wine.
There are different ways to make the classic Christmas biscuits, for example with many or few nuts, with a jam filling, icing or chocolate coating.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.