Who Loves Pancakes?
WE DO! All of us here at Totally Branded are gearing up for what is arguably the best day of the year! (Pancake Day) As your favourite branding company, we felt it was important to remind you that the big day is approaching; and fast!
When’s the Big Day?
Pancake Day always falls 47 Days before Easter Sunday, making this years Pancake Day the 1st of March 2022. That’s less than a month away!
What is Pancake Day, and Why do we Celebrate it?
Pancake day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is the last day before Lent. The day usually involves a celebration and a luxurious feast of pancakes and other rich food, this way, no food goes to waste during Lent. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, and marks the beginning of a 40 day fast, usually ending just before Easter Sunday. Shrove Tuesday and lent are observed in many Christian cultures, and in other countries around the world. Religious or not, the day is often seen as a great time to celebrate what we have, reflect on what we don’t have, and see another chance to make a change in our lives, such as giving something we don’t need up.
Pancake Day Around the World
As with other annual holidays and festivals, other countries have developed their own ways and traditions around Pancake Day. We thought it would be interesting to learn about some of the different ways our favourite day of the year is celebrated.
Pancake Day in Denmark
Three days before Lent begins, the people of Denmark come together to celebrate “Fastenlavn”. This is a 3-day celebration leading up to Ash Wednesday. During this time, danish toy shops and bakeries fill their windows with wooden barrels and toy cats; and lots of alluring baked goods filled with delicious fillings. Similar to the UK, Fastenlaven was originally the last day to feast on dairy rich foods before lent. As time has gone on the tradition has changed. While there’s still a glorious feast, it’s also a chance for Danish children to dress up as their favourite characters; and have a chance to “Hit the Cat out of the Barrel”. (It’s not a real cat, anymore!)
This is an older Fastenlaven tradition, where it was believed that hitting the wooden barrel would scare all the cats out of the towns. Over the years, cats must’ve become more tolerable, because they now hit a cardboard box to release sweets. The box symbolising the barrel, the sweets symbolising the cat. The child who successfully releases the sweets from the makeshift Barrel is then crowned the “Cat King” or “Kattekongen.”
(I kind of want to be the Cat King now!)
Pancake Day in Poland
In modern day Poland, Pancake Day is known as “Fat Thursday” and falls on the last Thursday before lent. The days meals are filled with nothing but pancakes, pastries, and jam filled doughnuts. A real sweet feast! Naturally, this also means it’s one of the busiest days of the year for bakeries and cake shops and they have to get to work early to ensure enough food is made. Hard work for the baker, but it sounds amazing.
If we were to go back in time to 17th Century Poland, Fat Thursday was celebrated for an entire week. The people consumed only lard, bacon and vodka. Sounds to me like back in the day, they really knew how to party!
Pancake Day in Canada
Similar to us here in the UK, our Canadian friends celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a feast of delicious pancakes. Those partaking in the fast get to indulge on other luxuries like meat, dairy, and eggs before sacrificing it for 40 days.
Unlike us, they tend to prefer other toppings, like maple syrup, jams or even savoury food like sausages.
In an interesting twist to the pancake day festivities, its traditional to add objects to their batter, things like coins, buttons and string. These act as predictions for the eater’s future.
The person who finds a coin will come into money, anyone that finds the button will either be a tailor or seamstress. Someone who gets the string is likely to be a fisherman. There are other items like rings and wood, connected to meanings of marriage and carpentry.
The tradition itself holds a lot of meaning, but I would definitely think twice before taking a bite of pancake in Canada on Pancake Day!
Pancake Day in the UK
Over the years, even the UK has developed some interesting traditions! Have you ever partaken in the annual pancake day races?
The race is opportunity for large numbers of people, often in fancy dress, to race down streets tossing pancakes in a pan. According to tradition, in 1445 a woman of Olney heard the shriving bell (A bell that would be rung to call people to church to be absolved of their sins before lent begins) while she was making pancakes and ran to the church in her apron, still clutching her frying pan. The Olney pancake race is now world famous. Competitors have to be local housewives and they must wear an apron and a hat or scarf.
Types of Pancake
Our pancakes, usually topped with lemon and sugar are similar to French crepes. However they actually have different ingredients, and British pancakes are ever so slightly thicker than their French counterparts. Some people aren’t keen on these types of pancakes and prefer a thicker, fluffier style of pancake. Enter the Scotch Pancake, which is similar in appearance to the American style pancake but again, has different ingredients.
(Incase you’re wondering, this blog is making me very hungry!)
Fancy Cooking Your Own?
Here at Totally Branded, we love a classic, so I thought I’d share a tried and tested recipe with you all!
Ingredients (Makes 12)
- 100g plain flour
- 2 large eggs
- 300ml milk
- 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little extra for frying
(We will let you decide on what topping to use, if you’re fancying something different to the usual lemon and sugar, why not try some choccy spread?)
STEP 1
Put 100g plain flour, 2 large eggs, 300ml milk, 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter.
STEP 2
Set a medium frying pan or crêpe pan over a medium heat and carefully wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper.
STEP 3
When hot, cook your pancakes for 1 min on each side until golden.
Want to Celebrate Pancake Day in Style?
We wouldn’t be us if we didn’t have everything you could possibly need for a company pancake day – available to be branded with your company logo!
Starting with this awesome Pancake Day kit!
The fully recyclable cardboard box is sealed shut with a branded sticker – keeping the inner contents safe and secure.
- Pancake Mix (Sachet can be branded too)
- Nutella
- Lemon Juice
- Sugar Sachet
- White & Milk chocolate Callets
- Tiptree Honey 28g
These would make the most perfect gift for your staff or loyal customers, or as an eco-friendly, pancake day themed giveaway!
We haven’t stopped there! We also stock aprons, oven gloves, a spatula and whisk! These can all be personalised with your logo or company name; just to make sure that we have you covered for the perfect company pancake day!
Branded Products That Last!
Pancakes aren’t just for Shrove Tuesday, they’re forever! Just like these brilliant aprons and utensils that will stand the test of time and always be there to fulfil all your pancake needs!
Happy Shrovetide from Totally Branded!
We’d like to say thank you for being with us, and we hope that no matter how you celebrate Pancake Day, whether or not you participate in lent, that your day is filled with delicious treats.