British supermarkets have been accused of “playing fast and loose with culinary tradition” by dabbling in traditional hot cross buns.
The Telegraph described the “increasingly quirky” take on Easter favorites, including “Sainsbury’s cheddar and caramelized onion chutney recipe, Asda’s tomato and Red Leicester version, and Waitrose’s Earl Gray tea and orange zest flavour.” It was reported that the list of arrangements has been increasing in recent years. .
But while some critics are outraged, consumers don’t seem to mind such twists. Sales of hot cross buns rose 15% year over year in the four weeks ending March 17, according to marketing data firm Kantar.
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“Older and Stranger Origins”
A standard hot cross bun is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “a type of sweet-spiced currant bun marked with a cross and traditionally eaten hot or toasted on Good Friday” . In Christian tradition, the cross represents the crucifixion of Jesus, and the spices in the dough represent those used to embalm Jesus after his death.
Hot cross buns are widely believed to have originated at St Alban’s Abbey in the 14th century, where a monk named Thomas Rockliffe created breads full of spices and fruit to distribute to the poor. BBC Countryfile said that if Mr Rocliffe were alive today, he would look at the assortment of alternative flavors currently on sale “from chocolate and caramel to orange and cranberry” and “might pause and say a prayer of forgiveness”. Ta.
Bice said that while the Rocliffe brothers “may have been instrumental” in popularizing the traditional version, the origins of hot cross buns are “much older and even stranger” and may predate Christianity. He said there is. “Baked to celebrate the pagan goddess Eostre and the rejuvenation of crops after a harsh winter, this bread was consumed throughout pre-Christian Europe.” It represented.
Although hot cross buns are now widely sold year-round, in the 16th century Queen Elizabeth I banned the sale of hot cross buns except at Easter, Christmas, and funerals.
“It upsets the admirers.”
Current versions of buns generally stick to the familiar round shape with a cross, but supermarket giant Iceland sparked outrage by replacing the cross with a tick.
The Daily Mail reported that online critics have threatened to boycott the chain and that the “non-crossban” risks “upsetting admirers”. However, an Icelandic spokesperson told the paper: “We always listen to customer feedback about our products, and we’re pleased to announce that a fifth customer has told us they’d like to see the ticked version.” I was surprised,” he said. Traditional hot cross buns are also “always available in stores nationwide,” the chain said.
Many other improved versions sold in other supermarkets include Marks & Spencer’s cheese and Marmite hot cross buns, and Waitrose has hot cross bunettones. Aldi sells Jaffa Cake flavored bread.
And Tesco and Asda have been accused of ‘playing too fast with culinary tradition’ by serving Easter favorites with clotted cream and jam, the Telegraph reported. “The fight over scones has been around for a long time, but few would have expected hot cross buns to become the latest flashpoint,” the newspaper said.
