No matter how old you are, Shrove Tuesday is a great excuse to spend one day a year eating pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, did you know that its celebrations around the world vary as much as the sweet or savoury toppings you choose? From street carnivals and sugary buns to straw figures and cinnamon cakes, we’ve rounded up the top traditions associated with this annual holiday.
Shrove Tuesday occurs the day before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, and 47 days before Easter Sunday. The exact dates of Easter change every year, but Shrove Tuesday always falls between 3rd February and 9th March. For 2022, it falls on 1st March.
Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to use up eggs and fatty products like butter and sugar before the Lenten fast begins. Pancakes require many of these staple ingredients – and they’re also delicious when topped with a little lemon juice and syrup, as is traditional in the UK! But elsewhere, you’ll find many variations on how these are served – and some areas opt for different cupboard-clearing dishes altogether! Read on to discover how different countries celebrate Shrove Tuesday around the world.
On the sweeter side of things, Danish bakeries prepare fresh buns and fill them with whipped cream, sticky jam and melted chocolate. This is because Fastelavn was once the last day to enjoy dairy and sugary treats before the religious fasting period commenced.
When it comes to food, king cake is a must. Finding its origins in the biblical story where the three kings brought gifts to baby Jesus, this sweet cinnamony dessert is decorated in themed colours and has a secret tiny plastic baby hidden inside. Whoever finds the figure has to bring the cake to the next Mardi Gras party.
Now that you’ve taken a virtual pancake-themed tour of the world, why not start planning your real-life travel adventures? We’ve rounded up the best foodie experiences in everywhere from Wales and the Cotswolds to Corfu and the Algarve. Once you’ve made your choice, our concierge team will be happy to help you at every stage of the planning process as you pick the perfect luxury villa for you.
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