The Story Behind Santa's Snack Tradition
It's the quintessential image of Christmas eve: stockings hanging by the fireplace, a small table with offerings for the man in red next to it featuring glistening cookies and a cold glass of milk, illuminated by the faint glow of a lit Christmas tree. But where did we get the idea that Santa loves milk and cookies so much? Where did this tradition come from?
Cozy up with a warmed pint of Snowville Chocolate Milk (Mmm…hot cocoa), and we'll dive into this tradition.
An Ancient Tradition
Like many things, the origins of this time-held tradition is the culmination of older practices repurposed. One of the older versions of leaving out treats for a supernatural being comes from the Norse. According to Norse mythology, the most important god, Odin, had an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir. During Yule, children would leave gifts such as hay and carrots, often stuffed in shoes, for the mount. Their hope was that Odin would stop and leave treats and gifts in return for the offering. Even today, this tradition still leaves its mark in countries such as Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands, where Santa's sleigh is portrayed as being pulled by horses instead of reindeer.
A Tree of Treats
The origin of Christmas trees may also play a role in this tasty tradition. German paradise trees were brimming with yummy decorations such as apples, cookies, and wafers for the Feast of Adam and Eve. The idea was it would provide a snack for the worn and weary Santa to snack on. Unfortunately, this also attracted vermin such as mice as well. This led to the treats being replaced on the tree with glass and cardboard decorations instead. They moved the cookies to the raised fireplace mantle so Santa would still have snacks for his long night.
St. Nick's Feast
Another story of leaving out treats has ties to the third-century bishop Saint Nicholas. St. Nicholas was known for being very generous to children and those down on their luck. Every year on December 6th, the Dutch would hold a feast in his honor. Knowing that St. Nicholas and his attendants would be weary from their long travels, and unable to stay up for the celebration, the children left out snacks for them. In the morning, they found their kindness rewarded with gifts.
Depression-Era Kindness
The culmination of these traditions finally came together into what we do today during the great depression. During the 1930s, parents tried to teach their children that even in times of severe hardship, kindness and a spirit of gratitude was important. This was when the snack of choice got codified as milk and cookies in many places.
The Science of Why Milk and Cookies
As we've seen, leaving out treats for gifts has been around for a while. But why milk and cookies? Why are these two such a perfect pairing?
People have been dunking things for a long time. The romans dipped wafers into wine for easier chewing and sailors paired tough crackers with coffee. Cookies became pals with tea or coffee in the 17th century, but there was a barrier that kept cookies from being paired with milk as easier before the early 20th century: refrigeration. Once refrigeration made keeping cold, fresh milk on hand easy, people quickly figured out the two were a match made in dairy heaven.
But there is a bit of science on why these two are a brilliant match besides softening the blow of intense sweetness from the cookie. Milk, unlike juice or water, is full of emulsifiers, just like the chocolate in your chocolate chip cookies. Emulsifiers bind substances that are usually difficult to combine, like oil and water. When those emulsifiers mix, a chemical reaction takes place that helps your tongue taste the full flavors of milk and cookie more quickly.
The Premium Option
Christmas comes but once a year, and Santa's going to drink a lot of milk. Make sure yours is the best milk. Preferably something that won't force Santa to borrow restrooms for digestive upset. Treat Santa to Snowville Creamery milk, which is minimally processed, A2/A2 milk made from local, grass-fed cows. Even better, fuel his evening with an extra special treat with Snowville Creamery's chocolate milk. He can take a pint on the go with him for in between stops or heat it up when he gets home and puts his feet up for the best hot cocoa he's ever tasted.