Holiday Foods Review

By Parth Sharma Grade 6, Landon Smith Grade 6, Jonathan Sam Grade 6, and Jaydon Samprasad, Grade 7

Candy Canes, Yes: 90.9%, No: 9.1%

Brief History - The first candy cane was not made in the shape of a cane. It was white, completely straight and only flavored with sugar. The original candy cane was made 350 years ago.

Hot chocolate, Yes: 93.3%, No: 6.7%

Brief History - Hot chocolate was brought to North America in the 17th century by the Dutch, but people first started selling it around 1755.

Gingerbread cookies, Yes: 88.9%, No: 11.1%

Brief History - The first known recipe for gingerbread came in 2,400 BC from Greece. Chinese recipes also came around in the 10th century and by the Middle Ages, European people also had their own recipe for gingerbread.

Eggnog, Yes: 35%, No: 41%, Never had it: 25%

Brief History - Eggnog is a traditional 'American' drink but it started life in the UK as a kind of 'posset' (hot milk mixed with wine or ale and spices). There are a very few old mentions of eggs being mixed in as well. During the middle ages, possets were used to help treat colds and the flu.

Fruit Cake, Yes: 21%, No: 21%, Never had it: A lot of people.

Brief History - Invented by the Romans to be used in battle is fruitcake. It was used to sustain soldiers in battle. It was usually a mash of barley, honey, wine and dried fruit.

Holiday Cookies, Yes: 100% No: 0%

Brief History - The tradition goes back to the monasteries of the middle ages where monks had access to sugar and the spices we now associate with Christmas cookies: cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom. It's interesting that the word "cookie" comes from the Dutch word "koetje" because the Dutch brought the first Christmas cookies to the new world in the 1600s. Four hundred years later we live in a country that can't imagine Christmas without cookies.