gingerbread man

Gingerbread dates from the 15th century, and figural biscuit-making was practiced in the 16th century. The first documented instance of figure-shaped gingerbread biscuits was at the court of Elizabeth I of England. She had the gingerbread figures made and presented in the likeness of some of her important guests, and in Arapina we preserve this to-date! Hence our gingerbread men are sometimes grumpy!