A baby is born and instead of cigars or cake you end up with this crispy biscuit covered in tiny pink and white balls. You probably wonder what you just got served and when you ask you hear "Beschuit met muisjes". What???
What it is
“Muisjes” literally translate means “little mice”. One thing you will quickly realize once you start learning Dutch is that we love diminutives. Everything is “small” - blame it on the protestant culture or on the fact that we have always realized deep down that we live in a small country where everything is down to earth. Anyway, the little mice are sugar coated anice seeds and “beschuit” is a form of “zwieback” or “rusks” and is a favorite Sunday morning breakfast food. Muisjes are of course made by De Ruijter, a brand famous for its chocolate sprinkles including the “extra dark originals” mmm. Beschuit should of course be Bolletje and can be any variety although whole grain is my personal favorite. Please note that Dutch people can get very upset about their biscuits and sandwich toppings.
Where it came from
In the middle-ages labor was a risky affair and many women died giving birth. A live birth was therefore something to celebrate and a new mother had to be taken care off. Neighbors would therefore bring food to the new mother to help her regain her strength after the ordeal of childbirth. As soon as a birth was announced women would send their children to bring foods like soup, meat, eggs or something sweet.
This probably evolved in the tradition of handing out sweets; children would be given a sugar ball or a slice of bread covered in sugar.
Anis (seeds and oil) was thought to have healing powers. New mothers would be served anisette, a drink of milk and anis, to help the cervix regain its original shape and size and of course to ward of evil spirits. Interestingly de Ruyter still sells anis cubes which are to this day drank in winter with warm milk.
Taking your first bite
So there you have it, a nice sweet treat to celebrate the birth of our baby girl. Now before you take your first bite please make sure you hold the whole thing over a plate. Although there is butter to keep the "muisjes" glued to the "beschuit" the whole thing is crispy and tends to be messy. Then again so is our little girl so we don't mind.
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