Where did Pancake Day come from?

Maybe your favourite filling is lemon & sugar, maybe it’s Nutella or maybe, you prefer something completely different on your pancake!  Whatever it is, we’re sure that while you’re enjoying a pancake or two this Shrove Tuesday, you’ll be interested to know where this tasty tradition came from.

Shrove Tuesday and Lent

Derived from the word ‘shriving’, an act of confession and absolution, Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday which signifies the start of Lent.

Lent is the period of 40 days of penitence and fasting before Easter in the Christian Calendar but before this takes place, Shrove Tuesday is the last opportunity to feast.

During lent, fats, eggs, meats and milk would be typically given up to reflect upon Jesus’ sacrifice, so often, on Shrove Tuesday these foods were all eaten up before the fast.

But why do we celebrate by eating pancakes?

Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday because to make them easily uses up fats, eggs and milk so as not to waste them during Lent.