Friday, April 2, 2010

  Oldest Hot Cross Bun - world record set by 189-year-old bun

  LONDON, UK -- Nancy Titman , 91, was given an incredible 189-year-old bun baked on Good Friday in 1821 which has been in her family for generations , setting the world record for the Oldest Hot Cross Bun .

   Photo: The world's Oldest Hot Cross Bun - baked on Good Friday in 1821. Photo: GEOFF ROBINSON ( enlarge photo )

 The world's Oldest Hot Cross Bun , which has the date March 1821 on its base, was made by Nancy's great, great, great grandfather, William Skinner, who owned a bakery in London.

     His son was helping in the shop that Easter and made the fruity bun as a present for his mum, but she never ate the gift and instead preserved it in a box.

The world's Oldest Hot Cross Bun

    "It's a relic which has been passed down through the family. My mum said our ancestors worked in a baker's shop and they believed buns baked on Good Friday didn't go mouldy," said Nancy.

Photo: The world's Oldest Hot Cross Bun , which shows no traces of mould, belongs to Nancy Titman, 91, who said: ‘It’s a relic which has been passed down through the family. ( enlarge photo )

    "It is rock hard and the currants have disintegrated but you can tell it's a hot cross bun and you can still see the shape of the cross."

    Hot cross buns, with their combination of sweet, spicy and fruity flavours, first became popular in Tudor times and have long been an Easter tradition, with the pastry cross symbolising the crucifixion.
     In the 19th century, many believed that those baked on Good Friday would not go mouldy and had special healing powers. English folklore suggests that sharing a hot cross bun would ensure friendship throughout the coming year.

   Mrs Titman now keeps the box in a drawer at her home in Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, and says the bun still smells fresh. ‘It’s a rather unusual family heirloom but I’m proud of it,’ she said.

   She plans to eventually pass on the bun to her daughter Anthea, then her granddaughter Hannah, seven.

   Subscribe to our RSS News feed to receive updates.

Related world records :  Easter world records

Largest Chicken Fried Steak - world record set by Cowtown Diner

Largest Bowl of Oatmeal- world record set by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Largest chocolate bunny - world record set by Harry Johnson for Duracell

Largest Rice Krispies treat - world record set by The Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge

Largest Meatball - world record set by Glen Oaks Community College

Friday, April 2, 2010