A Short Treatise on Gingerbread

«"Run, run as fast as you can! You can't catch me!" Everyone knows the story of the gingerbread man, but where does he really come from? Contrary to what one might think, neither France, nor England, nor Germany is at the origin: this story comes straight from the United States.

So, is gingerbread American? Not at all! Its origins are said to be Egyptian, Roman, Chinese, Russian, or even linked to Pithiviers via Armenia. In truth, it comes from everywhere and nowhere at once, appearing in a thousand shapes – heart, pig, Saint Nicholas – sometimes soft, sometimes dry like a biscuit, but always fragrant and comforting.

Did it help children learn to read? Was it used as a weapon? Legends and rumors abound, attesting to its widespread popularity. But what exactly is gingerbread? Neither bread nor cake in the strictest sense, it is currently experiencing a true revival, making a strong comeback in Christmas markets and in the kitchens of top chefs, where it features in both savory and sweet recipes.

In this small book, Mireille Gayet sets out to discover gingerbread around the world and offers nearly one hundred recipes, classic or surprising, to explore all facets of this timeless treat.