Did you Know....
In the beginning shortbread was expensive and reserved as a luxury for special occasions like Christmas, Hogmanay (Scottish New Year’s Eve), and weddings. Through the years it developed into an everyday favorite and is now enjoyed all around the world. Traditional shortbread consisted of three main ingredients: flour, sugar and butter. Today many varieties of shortbread exist, but most still include the traditional ingredients.
Silly Shortbread...
- In Shetland a decorated shortbread was traditionally broken over a bride’s head before she entered her new home.
- Shortbread was classified as a bread by bakers to avoid paying the tax placed on biscuits.
- The Scottish custom of eating shortbread on New Year’s Eve derives from an ancient pagan ritual of eating Yule Cakes.
- January 6th of each year is National Shortbread Day.
- Petticoat Tails were a traditional form of shortbread said to be enjoyed by the queen. The triangles resemble the shape of fabric pieces used to make petticoats during the rein of Queen Elizabeth I.
Chew on this Shortbread...
Why is shortbread called short?
A review of the literature on shortbread turns up at least two reasons.
1. Shortbread calls for a large percentage of shortening thus the name shortbread
2. "Short" refers to the desired crispness or "shortness" of the final product
A review of the literature on shortbread turns up at least two reasons.
1. Shortbread calls for a large percentage of shortening thus the name shortbread
2. "Short" refers to the desired crispness or "shortness" of the final product
