Cathy Isom gives us a bit of history about a delicious, fruity holiday treat that’s been enjoyed for thousands of years. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Across the United States, fruitcake lovers young and old observe National Fruitcake Day every year on this day.
Made with chopped candied or dried fruit, nuts and spices and sometimes soaked in spirits, fruitcake has been a holiday gift-giving tradition for many years. Although fruitcakes are certainly a delicious treat to enjoy around the holidays, they are quite possibly the most popular item for re-gifting. A whopping 38% of people say they give fruitcakes away when they receive them! Nevertheless, fruitcakes have remained popular for thousands of years.
The Ancient Egyptians buried their loved ones with fruitcakes because they believed this particular food was essential for the journey to the afterlife. The Crusaders were known for eating fruitcakes during their campaigns. The small cakes could withstand long journeys without spoiling and were full of nutritious items like dried fruits and nuts.
I’m Cathy Isom…