21 Φεβρουαριου

Ah, National Sticky Bun Day! The day when the delicious aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls fills the air, and the sweet, gooey goodness of caramelised sugar and butter melts in our mouths.

Sticky buns have come a long way from their humble beginnings, and now they come in all shapes, sizes, and flavours. There are classic cinnamon buns, with their swirls of cinnamon and sugar, dripping with icing. There are pecan sticky buns, with their crunchy nuts and caramel glaze, and even savoury sticky buns with bacon and cheese.

The history of the sticky bun can be traced back to 17th century Germany, at which time, a sweet dough pastry known as "Schnecken" (meaning 'snail') was popular. The dough was brushed with melted butter, topped with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and then rolled into a spiral shape before being baked. It's believed that German immigrants brought this recipe to the United States, where it evolved into the sticky bun we know and love today.

The sticky bun's popularity in America took off in the 20th century when it became a staple in diners and cafes across the country. The gooey, caramelised sugar and cinnamon coating became a signature of American breakfast pastries, alongside the croissant and the bagel.

Now, let's talk about the sticky part. What makes a sticky bun so, well, sticky? It's all in the glaze, my friend. Typically made with butter, brown sugar, and sometimes even honey or maple syrup, the glaze is what gives a sticky bun its signature sticky sweetness.

So, what's the best way to celebrate National Sticky Bun Day? Well, you could start by baking a fresh batch and sharing them with your nearest and dearest. Or maybe treating yourself to a sticky bun from your favourite bakery or café. We, as you would expect, will be celebrating with a cocktail - the aptly-named Sticky Toffee Fizz to be precise. Happy National Sticky Bun Day!

Boudicca's grave was found this day

It was on this day back in 1988 that The Daily Telegraph reported that contractors working on Platform 10 at London's King's Cross station had unearthed the skeleton of the warrior Queen Boudicca. Was it really hers? Who knows.

Historians have estimated that Boudicca died around 60AD, when it's thought that she poisoned herself to avoid being captured by the Romans. If we look at the rest of Boudicca's life, then it's a distinct possibility - she wasn't one to back down easily. The really interesting part of the story though is the whereabouts of her death - several people have claimed to have found Boudicca's burial site, but all in different locations...

Regardless of how much truth there is in the story that like so many others, Boudicca was patiently waiting at Platform 10 at King's Cross, we quite like the yarn...and moreover it's a good excuse to celebrate the Celtic Queen by mixing up a Celtic Margarita.

It's also the anniversary of the great stock exchange fraud

On this day in 1814, a chap named Colonel du Bourg appeared at the Ship Inn in Dover, bearing news that all England wanted to hear. Napoleon was dead! Allied armies were on their way to Paris!

In London, three French officers, dressed in the uniform of the Bourbons, the French ruling family before Napoleon, announced that the old monarchy would be restored. Stock Exchange prices soared at the news - only to crash again later that day when the government announced that Napoleon was still very much alive.

Stock Exchange investigators found that over £ 1.1 million of government stock - an insane amount of money in those days - had been bought the week before and sold at their peak on the day of the fraud. Eight men later served long sentences for the fraud, including the fake Colonel Bourg.

We are commemorating this event, which shows that finance and fraud have gone hand in hand for many decades and that bad information could go viral long before the internet, with an aptly named Bourbon Blush. Do join us.