Easter Traditions

One of the most beloved aspects about cultural or religious holidays is the food. From turkey and blood sausages at Christmas to stuffing and cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, the holidays often revolve around the meals we gather for with loved ones. But do you know why certain foods are favoured for certain holidays?
Hot cross buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday to mark the end of Lent, which involves 40 days of fasting.
A 12th-century monk introduced the cross to the bun in honour of Good Friday, according to Smithsonian mag. But near the end of the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I thought these wee buns needed to be reserved only for these special occasions: Good Friday, Christmas or for burials. The English believed the buns carried medicinal or magical properties, and Elizabeth didn't want those powers abused. To circumvent the law, more people began baking these “powerful” buns at home, increasing their popularity and making the law difficult to enforce. It was eventually rescinded.
When the British colonized Jamaica in the 1650s, they brought their traditions with them. The popular Jamaican Easter bun (which is really more of a loaf) is a variation of the hot-crossed bun, which is often enjoyed with cheese.