Christmas Tradition with My Granny | Cracking Mixed Nuts With Shells (2024)

FAQs

What is the tradition of nuts at Christmas? ›

Hazelnuts (and nuts in general) were ancient symbols of good luck and fertility which were given new Christian meanings and remain a common part of Christmas traditions even today. Physically characterized by three distinct parts, nuts were interpreted as a sign of the Trinity.

Walnuts are a necessary component to the Bulgarian Christmas meal. Each member of the family cracks one in order to determine their fate for the next year. If the walnut is a good one, it is said that the year will be successful. Bad luck is predicted for the person who cracks a bad walnut.

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All of this evidence shows that nuts have been a staple in the human diet for since the beginnings of history. The oldest walnut remains were discovered in Iraq, and they are believed to be from 50,000 B.C. The Greeks and Romans were fond of the walnut, and they were considered food for Gods by early Romans.

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used.

Rice porridge is known all around the world, but the custom of eating it over Christmas with a whole almond in it comes from Scandinavia. In Sweden and Finland, getting the almond means good luck in the following year.

Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall have caused the trees to produce fewer nuts, while the spread of pests and diseases has further reduced yields. Deforestation has had a major impact. The destruction of the Amazon rainforest in Bolivia and Brazil led to a decrease in Brazil nut-producing trees.

They're exceptionally high in selenium, a mineral with potent antioxidant properties that's also good for thyroid, brain, and heart health. Taking too much selenium may lead to toxicity, though. To avoid consuming too much selenium, limit your intake to one to three medium-sized Brazil nuts daily.

Importers are unwilling to incur costs arising from these tests and any subsequent destruction of affected nuts, so no longer import the nuts in shells.

Walnuts are recognized as the oldest tree food known to man, dating back to about 7000 B.C. Considered food for the gods in Roman times, walnuts were named “juglans regia” in honor of Jupiter. Walnuts were introduced to California by the Franciscan Fathers in the 1700's.

Did they eat nuts in the Bible? ›

Fruit - had an important place in the people's food. They had many melons and figs along with pomegranates, blackberries and dates. Here too fruit was an abundance, so it was often exported as well. Nuts – Nuts were in some abundance, especially walnuts, almonds, and pistachios.

Chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts fit the true definition of a nut. Peanuts and almonds do not meet the botanical definition of a true nut. Peanuts are actually legumes and a fleshy coat like a plum surrounds almonds. Whether they are true “nu*ts” or not, people throughout the world enjoy these fruits.

Whether it's pagan or Christian, the idea of nuts bringing good luck at Christmastime appears to have stuck. In German folklore, the tradition of giving a wooden nutcracker in the form of a soldier or some other fierce authority figure was a way of keeping loved ones safe from harm.

Rema (Orach Chaim 583:2) writes that some are careful not to eat egozim (walnuts) on Rosh Hashanah. This is because the gematria (numerical value) of the Hebrew word “egoz” is the same as the numerical value for the word chait (sin). Additionally, nuts cause an increase in phlegm, which can disturb one's prayers.

Why do nuts make such a great Christmas gift? Firstly, they're totally delicious with the added bonus of containing healthy omega-3 fat and a number of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and vitamin E. They're also rich in energy and protein for bodies of all ages and stages!

Around 336 CE, the date December 25 appears to have become established as the day of Jesus's birth, and the tradition of gift-giving was tied to the story of the Biblical Magi giving gifts to baby Jesus; together with another story, that of Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Christian bishop and gift-giver, it slowly ...