News
As Purim arrives, Bakers warn Brexit could mean Hamantaschen are cut from three sides to two
Ingredient shortages may force manufacturers to 'cut corners'
March 20, 2019 16:02
Ingredient shortages may force manufacturers to 'cut corners'
March 20, 2019 16:02Experts have warned that from next year, hamantaschen may have to be reduced from three sides to two, with kosher manufacturers forced to respond to Brexit costs.
Speaking to the JC, Rabbi Mordechai Shushan described how potential price rises in the wake of Britain leaving the EU could see drastic changes to the traditional Purim pastry, with producers potentially having to “cut corners”. The rabbi described his community as having “mixed feelings” about the news.
“Some of them feel this country was correct not to bow down to Brussels and we have to accept the consequences, while others believe that instead of dressing up, we should be giving the people who voted to leave a dressing down.”
A Purim staple for the last two centuries, hamantaschen are instantly recognisable due to their triangular shape. Traditionally filled with poppy seeds, other varieties include fruits, preserves or chocolates. In the last few years, a fashion for savoury hamantaschen has sprung up, horrifying traditionalists.
Remarkably, however, manufacturers have maintained that it will still be possible for the pastry to maintain its three-sided shape, despite the removal of one of the corners, expressing “absolute confidence” that some form of solution would be found.
“Look at our senior politicians, like Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn”, said baked goods producer Zoldie Hamant.
“If there’s anything they’ve shown us over the last two and a half years, it’s that seemingly impossible situations can be overcome by a complete inability to understand basic reality.”
Esther HaMalka, owner of 63.5 Kingdoms, a well-known kosher shop, agreed that some form of change to Hamantaschen seemed “highly likely, unless there’s some sort of massive turnaround in the situation, where down becomes up and up becomes down.
“And when has that ever happened in history?”