BROADCASTS.com

b'
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nFood superstitions are fun myths that are rooted deep in history. Some of them go far enough back to be woven into our DNA and cultural identity. Today’s episode is going to do a deeper dive into several of these food superstitions and their background.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nTo quote the great Michael Scott, \\u201cI\\u2019m not superstitious but I am a little stitious.\\u201d Food superstitions are fascinating. Most cultures have their own unique variants. As we head into the new year, I couldn\\u2019t think of a better topic than to discuss several interesting superstitions involving food. 
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nFood Superstitions Behind Apple Peels
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nAre you single and ready to mingle, but you just wish you had a little hint on who to look for? Next time you eat an apple, try peeling it first. Try to make a strand of peel as long as you can until it breaks. Then take the peel and toss it on the counter. Whatever letter that peel resembles is the first letter of your true love\\u2019s name. 
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nApples have a few other superstitions. In the Jewish new year, people dip apples in honey to symbolize the hopes of a sweet year to come. Also people believed that if you cut into an apple and counted the seeds, it would predict how many children you\\u2019d have. 
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nEggs and Egg Shells
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nEggs are symbolic of many things There are also many food superstitions around them. Farmers used to spread broken eggs into their fields hoping to grow an abundant crop. If you happen to crack an egg that contains two yolks, it is a sign that someone you know will be getting married or having twins. Finally, when cracking an egg make sure you crush the eggshell after. There is a superstition that says a witch will gather up the pieces, set sail and cause terrible storms at sea. Do you really want a severe oceanic storm, and any fallout from it, weighing on your conscience?
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nBread Superstitions
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nDid you know that if you slice open a loaf of bread and see a large air pocket that it means someone will die soon? The hole in the bread represents a coffin. Also, hot cross buns have an interesting history rooted in superstition. Anytime you bake bread you should cut a cross into the top of your loaf. Otherwise the devil will sit on it while baking and ruin your loaf.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nThere is a fascinating french superstition about placing a loaf of bread upside down. If a loaf is placed upside down on a table, it invites bad luck. I dug deeper into this one and it is fascinating. It dates back to the Middle Ages and public executions.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nPublic executions were often scheduled at a time when most people were going to be out and about. The purpose behind the execution was to make an example after all. The executioner was often busy prepping his tools for the execution and was unable to go to the market to buy bread. Bakers didn\\u2019t want to have to tell a man with an axe and no problem with killing why they ran out of bread. So bakers began to turn a loaf upside down. Patrons recognized this loaf as the executioners loaf and no one would touch it.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nThe executioner could go in the shop, grab their loaf and be on their way. Custom allowed them to take whatever they could hold in one hand free of charge. No one ever argued with him. 
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nChinese Noodles
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nThere are few things on this earth more comforting to me than Chinese noodle dishes. Whether they are in a soup or stir fried, they always warm my soul. In China, long noodles symbolize a long life. You should never ever cut your noodles. Doing so means that you are cutting life short. You should instead slurp those long noodles and be careful not to break them. This is a problem for me because I often find myself cutti...'