Flipping heck, Pancake Day is almost upon us. And whether delicate crepes are your kryptonite or thick fluffy pancakes are your crux, Shrove Tuesday - as it is official known - is arguably one of the most delicious days of the month - maybe even the year. And that is because it is fondly associated with making flippingly good rolled up, flipped around, and flattened pancakes that can be enjoyed at any time of day - be that the savoury sort (cheese and chive, anyone?) or sweet sweet Nutella monstrosities.
This year, Pancake Day comes a week after Valentines Day on February 21 and precedes Ash Wednesday - as it is known by Christians. It is a tradition observed in not just the UK but many countries around the world and represents a final day of indulgence before Lent begins the following day.
And while it seems like we've just got over Christmas and New Year feasts, I think we have room to squeeze in a few more tasty days such as this.
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Although happy to pop our napkins on, dig out our knives and forks (if you are so inclined) and tuck into pancakes, you may be wondering why do we celebrate it? And why pancakes? Where did it come from? What is Lent and when does it begin?
Here's everything you need to know...
When is pancake day?
Shrove Tuesday will fall this year on Tuesday, February 21, exactly one week after Valentine's Day. This means Ash Wednesday will be on February 22 and will mark the start of Lent. Each year it falls on a different date but always takes place six and a half weeks before Easter.
Why do we celebrate it?
Whether you put oodles of syrup, sweets and whatever toppings you having lying around your cupboards on your pancakes or you're more or of lemon and sugar kind of person, the reason we all know and love this particular day of the year is because, traditionally, Christians used it as a day to engage in one last feast before sacrificing foods that one would see as a treat or luxury and fatty foods that would otherwise expire during the fast, such as eggs, milk and butter - coincidentally, all the right ingredients for pancakes, so why not indulge in one - or three.
This sacrifice is done to mirror that of - in the Christian tradition - Jesus when he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, to test their own self-discipline. Shrove Tuesday is also used as a day where Christians can repent any sins or confessions they may have before Lent begins.
As stated by the Church of Wales website: "Shrove Tuesday is the day when we, as Christians, take stock of ourselves in regard to the habits and attitudes that we would like to see change in our individual lives, in the life of the Church and in the world of which we are a part."
What is Lent?
Lent begins six and a half weeks before Easter and is seen as a period of fasting - whether that be laying off a certain food, nipping a bad habit in the bud or making another sort of sacrifice. It represents the 40 days and 40 nights that, as Christianity depicts, Jesus spent fasting in the desert, praying before he was crucified. It precedes Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
The Church of Wales website states: "The purpose of Lent lies in entering into God’s redemptive work of transformation, the transforming of our individual and collective wildernesses."
Lent can also represent the introduction of spring as the English word Lent is a shortened form of the Olde English word lencten, which means 'Spring Season'. Many believe it refers to the lengthening of the days as spring approaches.
It will last from Wednesday, Feburary 22 until the last day of Lent on Maundy Thursday, which is seen as commemorating the Last Supper.
This means the last day of Lent will fall on Thursday, April 6. With Good Friday occuring the following day on April 7 and Easter taking place on Sunday, April 9.
If you're stuck on how to make the best pancakes this pancake day, why not give this classic recipe a go? Or if fluffy American-style pancakes are more your thing, have a gander at this.
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