The history of Tula gingerbread
The renowned Tula gingerbreads are more than 320 years
old (firstly mentioned in chronicles in 1685),
are well-known all-round the world, and are
prepared only in the city of Tula! Masters baked
gingerbreads using their own unique recipes,
which where kept in a big secret and passed solely
from father to son. None of the bakers ever used
weights with scales written on them, so that
the “spies” could not find out, how much flour,
honey etc. is needed. The bakers used alternative
weights — small stones, pieces of iron,
which where kept safely in a secluded place,
so that, God forbid, no one could ever find them,
weight them and learn the recipe.
IN 1900 TULA GINGERBREADES SHOCKED THE WORLD AT THE
INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION IN PARIS. IN THE YEAR
1915, TULA GINGERBREAD EARNS AGAIN A PRIZED
POSITION IN PARIS.
Tula gingerbread can have imprints on them. First, a
special board is prepared, to give it a shape.
It is made out of birch, which needs to ripen
from five to twenty years. Once the board gets
dry enough, the pattern gets carved mirror-wise.
This way the Tula gingerbread baking forms were made.
In case the form was used only once, you could
consider the gingerbread to be unique. The
carving themes are highly variable.
Flour, made of wheat growing exclusively around Tula,
has certain properties giving an inherent only
for Tula gingerbread structure, clarity of the
carvings and the ability to keep it's form in
the process of baking.
TULA REGION SINCE OLDEN TIMES WAS RENOWNED FOR ITS
FRUIT AND BERRY GARDENS. NAMELY OUT OF THESE
APPLES AND BERRIES THE FILLINGS WERE MADE.
THEREFORE USING JAMS AND CONFITURES MADE OF
TULA PROVINCE'S FRUITS AND BERRIES, IS ONE OF
THE REASONS FOR TULA GINGERBREAD'S UNIQUE TASTE
AND SMELL.