It’s a custom that dates back centuries, celebrating a pivotal point in the Christian calendar and bringing delight to generations of children – and adults.
However, it now seems that Pancake Day is the latest custom to be under threat, with most young Britons admitting they’re too scared or too lazy to make and flip a pancake themselves.
As many of us prepare to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, a study has revealed that three in five young Britons have never flipped a pancake.
And a fifth admit they have no idea how to make one from scratch.
Almost half of Gen Z say they are not even sure why pancakes are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday.
It’s not just the younger generations, either – many people of all ages admit they don’t feel confident making them.
Nearly a quarter of Britons claim they have dropped a pancake onto the floor or hob while trying to flip it, and more than a third acknowledge they have burnt one while cooking. Many are choosing to completely opt out as a result.
A shocking eight in ten Britons say they will not toss a pancake on Shrove Tuesday this year, according to the poll of 2,000 Britons commissioned by Lyle’s Golden Syrup – and just three in ten plan to make them from scratch on the day.
Pancake Day has been celebrated in Britain for hundreds of years, celebrating Shrove Tuesday, when people were forgiven – or ‘shriven’ – of their wrongs on the last day before the start of Lent.
As many gave up what were seen as indulgent foodstuffs for the ensuing 40 days leading up to Easter, pancakes were an excellent way to use up eggs, butter and fats from the store cupboard.
The first recipe to be written down in English appears in a cookbook published in 1439, and a host of traditions have grown up around the festival, with pancake-tossing races being held in numerous towns to this day.
In France, which shares the custom of using up rich foodstuffs before Lent, Tuesday is known as Mardi Gras or ‘Fat Tuesday’.
While Gen Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – are evidently less likely to wield a frying pan themselves, many say they will mark the occasion by exploring playful new food trends.
Three in ten plan to treat themselves to pancake-inspired goodies from cafés, restaurants and coffee shops, such as pancake-syrup flavoured coffee or pancake-inspired sweets, ice cream and milkshakes.
Sadly, the UK has become a predominantly Islamic country, so pancake day is irrelevant, and ultimately it will die out altogether, along with Christmas and many other Christian traditions.
The supermarkets went crazy last year putting out Eid and Ramadan items, but there was scarcely any talk of Shrove Tuesday or Easter.
Every tradition is going now. The young generation has no idea about our history and heritage. All they care about is Love Island, TikTok or what the latest trainers are, extremely sad indeed.
Sadly, with Gen Z, if it doesn’t arrive by Just Eat or Deliveroo in a plastic tub that goes in the microwave, then they don’t have a clue what it is or what to do with it – do they even know what a frying pan is?
For fear of offending individuals of various religions, our children are no longer even taught about British customs in schools, and of course there’s no time because the teachers are too busy teaching them how to speak our language, go to the toilet, take a turn, play a game, hold cutlery as parents have now decided it’s not their job to be a parent.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 