Truths of Valentine’s Day: Discover the Origins, Meaning and Who Invented the Holiday of Love

Valentine’s Day is a holiday we celebrate on February 14th, and it has its origins deep in ancient Rome. As I dive into the history of this holiday, I discover that the origins of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated in mid-February. The festival was dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

This is the truth of Valentine’s day origin that many people don’t know. During the festival, men would sacrifice goats and dogs and then whip women with the hides of the animals. It was believed that this would make them more fertile. The festival also included a lottery in which men would draw women’s names from a jar. They would then be paired as partners for the festival’s duration.

The Catholic Church later Christianized the holiday, dedicating it to Saint Valentine, a martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. There were several martyrs named Valentine, but the most popular one is Saint Valentine of Rome, who, according to legend, was imprisoned and ultimately executed for secretly marrying couples to spare them from being forced to separate by the Roman Empire. This is where the meaning of Valentine’s Day comes from, a celebration of love and affection.

The first Valentine’s Day cards were sent in the 15th century, but in the 18th century, the holiday began to be celebrated more widely. Over time, the holiday evolved and became a day to celebrate romantic love. Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide, and it’s a popular day for expressing love and affection through cards, flowers, chocolates, and gifts.

Another tradition that has its origins in the Roman Empire is biscotti, also known as cantucci. This traditional Italian cookie was a popular food among Roman soldiers as it was easy to transport and had a long shelf life. Biscotti was also a popular food among the upper classes and was often served as a sweet treat during banquets and special occasions. Like Valentine’s Day, biscotti has stood the test of time and is still enjoyed by many today.

As you can see, both Valentine’s Day and biscotti have deep roots in the Roman Empire, and it’s a perfect combination to celebrate the holiday of love. Who invented Valentine’s Day is still a mystery, but one thing we know for sure is that it’s a holiday that brings people together. And what better way to spend the holiday of love than baking delicious Chocolate Cherry Biscotti together with your loved one?

Valentine’s Day Ideas!

Here’s a Valentine’s Day idea for you and your partner. Bake biscotti! Not just any kind of biscotti, delicious Chocolate Cherry Biscotti that you can make together as a fun and thoughtful Valentine’s Day activity:

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Cup of almond flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cherry extract
1/2 cup dried cherries
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add in eggs, vanilla and cherry extract and mix until well combined.
Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Fold in the dried cherries and chocolate chips.

Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a log. Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Using a serrated knife, slice the logs diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place the slices back on the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until crispy.
Let cool completely before serving.

Baking together is one of the most romantic ways to spend Valentine’s Day and with this recipe, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious and traditional Italian biscotti with your loved one. And don’t forget to visit our online store at thebiscotticompany.com/shop to place your order and take advantage of our special Valentine’s Day offer – Buy 3 Get 1 FREE of our Cherry Chocolate Biscotti. Offer expires Februry 14th, 2003. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day!

References
History.com
The Truth About the Connection Between Valentin’s Day and The Ancient Roman Festival