Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you
a happy New Year.
Tis the season for mulled wine and cider and while doing a little research on such things I came across the history of Wassail. Wassail, or 'Waes Hail', means be ye healthy, or simply to your health. The term and tradition of wassailing has evolved for over a millenium from a simple greeting to an actual event. During the holidays peasants could expect their masters to invite them into the manor and offer them a feast which included a mulled wine/cider or ale. This drink eventually came to be known as Wassail. Later it evolved into the tradition of traveling from house to house bringing the wassail bowl along with them to share with neighbors. Carolling was a part of this activity. As the tradition transformed so did the recipe. At one point it included floating pieces of toast in the bowl and it is from this we now have the term to "offer a toast" when we are gathered together (and drinking).
In keeping with the season I thought it would be fun to make a Wassail Softer. It is sitting in the proofer as I type away, doing its wonderful magic. By tomorrow morning, if all goes well, we will have a delicious spiced cider to enjoy and remember and appreciate a very old tradition. And for those who really enjoyed last week's Pluto/Rose Geranium that one is coming back as well as the usual herbal flavors.
To all I wish you Wassail!
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