From late medieval times gingerbread made with breadcrumbs were popular at fairs all around the country. Each region had its own variation, with different flavours that didn't always include ginger. They were often given to children as treats or given by men to their sweethearts Cornish fairings come from the maid hiring fair that was held in the week after Christmas in the town of Launceston in Cornwall. It was customary to take home ginger flavoured Cornish fairings. Often the fairing would be accompanied by comfits, a type of a sweet, where almonds were encased in sugar and caraway seeds. Fairings have evolved over time to become biscuits sweetened with honey, coloured with saffron, liquorice or sandalwood. They were richly decorated with almonds, marzipan, icing or gold leaf. Nowadays, they are characterised by their deep, golden brown and crackled appearance.