February Press Release: Pancake Day
Approximately 50% of the British public observe Shrove Tuesday by eating pancakes, and it’s estimated that 52 million eggs are cracked on the day across the UK!
But how much do we know about its history?
Dan Whittaker, a personal finance expert at vivamoney.co.uk, explains the origins of Pancake Day, shares some ideas on how to join in on a budget, and provides inspiration for tasty toppings to try at home.
Why do we observe Pancake Day?
“Shrove Tuesday is a Christian tradition that takes place before Lent. During Lent, people are encouraged to give up something they enjoy, such as chocolate or coffee. Those who follow the Christian faith believe this shows self-discipline and represents the sacrifice made by Jesus,” Dan explains. “The exact date of Shrove Tuesday varies from year to year, but it always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday.”
“So where exactly do pancakes come into it? Historically, people would empty their larders of food such as eggs and butter in preparation for Lent so that they wouldn’t be tempted to feast or indulge. Pancakes provided a good way to use up such ingredients – hence the name.”
The cheapest supermarket to buy your pancake ingredients
“Many of us are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that we should have to miss out on getting involved in the fun of annual events, such as Pancake Day.
We listed the ingredients needed to make a basic pancake recipe, along with some popular topping options, and compared the price of each between five major UK supermarkets to find the best value for money.
Sainsbury’s worked out as the cheapest supermarket for stocking up on Shrove Tuesday essentials, but this is due to the fact that many of their item measurements were smaller than other supermarkets. When doing our research, we included the cheapest option for each item.”
| Item | Aldi | Asda | Tesco | Sainsbury’s | Waitrose |
| Plain flour | £0.70 (1.5kg) | £0.80 (1.5kg) | £0.70 (1.5kg) | £0.45 (500g) | £0.50 (500g) |
| Large eggs | £1.64 (for 6) | £1.85 (for 6) | £1.85 (for 6) | £1.85 (for 6) | £2.60 (for 6) |
| Milk | £0.90 (pint) | £0.90 (pint) | £0.90 (pint) | £0.90 (pint) | £0.95 (pint) |
| Caster sugar | £1.49 (1kg) | £1.65 (1kg) | £2.20 (1kg) | £1.10 (500g) | £1.85 (500g) |
| Lemon | £0.44 (250ml of lemon juice) | £0.30 (one loose lemon) | £0.40 (one loose lemon) | £0.30 (one loose lemon) | £0.35 (one loose lemon) |
| Chocolate spread | £1.15 | £1.35 | £2.15 (400g) | £1.15 (400g) | £2.00 (400g) |
| Strawberries | £1.99 (227g) | £2.29 (227g) | £1.99 (227g) | £2.15 (250g) | £2.50 (230g) |
| TOTAL | £8.31 | £9.14 | £10.19 | £7.90 | £10.75 |
Prices correct as of 28th December 2023.
Top five pancake toppings to suit every taste
“You can find a basic pancake recipe here, but what are you topping yours with? From classic combos to savoury staples, we’ve included some of our favourite ideas for inspiration below.”
1. The classic
“A 2023 survey revealed this to be Britain’s favourite pancake topping, and it’s not hard to see why. A squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar, this is surely the OG of pancakes!”
2. Naughty & nice
“The ever-popular chocolate spread and strawberry blend helps to contribute towards your five-a-day intake… allegedly!”
3. Bananarama
“Lashings of peanut butter with a handful of banana slices on top – heaven!”
4. Beltin’ bacon
“If you’ve more a savoury than a sweet tooth, this might just be the pancake of your dreams. Combine crispy bacon with dollops of maple syrup for an American-style supper.”
5. Ham ‘n’ cheese, please!
“Another one for the savoury fans out there, this pancake is versatile enough to be enjoyed for lunch, as well as a snack. Make the batter as normal, and then mix in ham pieces and your favourite grated cheese.”
Other fun activities to try on Pancake Day
“Shrove Tuesday isn’t all about pancakes, although they are undoubtedly a bonus! Whatever your budget, there are a number of alternative activities you can take part in to learn more about and commemorate the occasion.”
· Pancake racing
“Yes, you heard us right! Legend has it that in the year 1445, a lady in Buckinghamshire was busy making pancakes, when she heard the church bells ringing out for the start of Shrove Tuesday mass. Eager to make it in time, she ran to the church with her pancake pan still in hand, which is said to have sparked the tradition of pancake racing that many towns and cities still pay homage to today! Participants are required to run a short distance brandishing a pan, flipping pancake batter as they go. Have a browse through Google to find your nearest event, or suggest that one is set up in your community. If you’ve got kids, you could arrange your own pancake race at home.”
· Head to church
“Many churches host Shrove Tuesday services, and some may even hold special events for children. On the ‘flip’ side, even if you’re not a regular church-goer yourself, you can still enjoy the sound of the Shrove Tuesday bells ringing through your local town.”
· A flipping good party!
“Why not invite friends and family round for a pancake party? Cut the cost of groceries by asking everybody to bring an item each. To further the fun, you could compete for the zaniest topping concoction, or the most inventively shaped batter!”
· All around the world
“Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in a variety of ways across the globe. Many countries refer to Shrove Tuesday as ‘Mardi Gras,’ which translates to ‘Fat Tuesday’ in English. Mardi Gras is marked by vibrant parades, which include masked costumes. If you want to expand on the traditional pancake party throw a gathering with a Mardi Gras theme instead, encouraging your guests to wear colourful carnival outfits and masks. Mardi Gras mask-making is also a great activity to get kids involved in, while teaching them about different cultures and beliefs. Mask templates can be easily downloaded online.”
Viva Money has shared tips on how to make the most of Shrove Tuesday on a budget.
-ENDS-
About Viva Money
Viva Money is not a lender but is a fully regulated and authorised credit broker. Viva Money is a registered Trading Name of Digitonomy Limited, Registered in England and Wales (Company number 08385135), Registered Office; Steam Mill Business Centre, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN. Digitonomy Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number: 690249. Licenced by the Information Commissioners Office, (registration number ZA007309)
Website: https://vivamoney.co.uk/
Dan Whittaker - Personal Finance Expert at Viva Money
Dan has worked in the consumer finance sector for over a decade in a number of roles, including developing and maintaining commercial partnerships, marketing, and digital development.
Dan has strong market and product knowledge across a range of consumer finance products including, but not limited to, credit cards, savings, loans, and mortgages.