"A humble confection, born of devotion and celestial symbolism, lies at the root of a tradition we now take for granted. Though its form may seem simple - round, unassuming, perhaps modest in flavor - its origins are profound, and woven into ancient religious rites. The early iteration of what would become a celebratory sweet was far more than a treat - it had meaning."
"In Ancient Greece, circular cakes were offered to honor Artemis, the goddess of the moon and childbirth. These cakes - crafted from dough, honey, and sesame seeds - were lit with candles to illuminate them like the moon itself, serving as votive offerings in devotional ceremonies. These sweet, luminous offerings were known as ammilos, and they symbolized not birthday indulgence but worship, the candles symbolizing stars, and the smoke carrying prayers skyward."
Round cakes in Ancient Greece were offered to honor Artemis, crafted from dough, honey, and sesame seeds, and lit with candles to resemble the moon. These ammilos acted as votive offerings, with candles representing stars and smoke carrying prayers. Greek sacred cakes continued across centuries, sweetened with honey and baked with cheese, nuts, herbs, and fruits for festivals and shrines. Roman celebratory cakes marked weddings and fifty-year milestones, made from flour, nuts, yeast, and honey. In 18th-century Germany, children's Kinderfeste introduced a cake with one candle per year and an extra candle for the coming year, shaping modern birthday-cake customs.
Read at Tasting Table
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]