Muisjes

Muisjes are a cherished Dutch bread topping made from aniseed coated in sugar and brightly colored. Traditionally enjoyed on rusk or bread, this treat is a registered trademark of Koninklijke De Ruijter BV. The name "muisjes" translates to "little mice" in English, possibly because the seeds resemble tiny mouse tails or because mice, known for their prolific reproduction, symbolize healthy childbirth.

In the Netherlands, it is a treasured tradition to serve muisjes on rusk, known as "beschuit met muisjes" to celebrate the birth of a baby. The anise in muisjes is believed to symbolize fertility and is thought to aid lactation and uterine recovery after childbirth. This custom dates back to the Middle Ages when a safe childbirth was a significant cause for celebration. Muisjes emerged in the 18th century, replacing sugar as the preferred topping on beschuit, symbolizing successful childbirth.

De Ruijter, an established Dutch food processing company now owned by Heinz since 2001, has been the leading producer of muisjes since 1860. The company further popularized muisjes by presenting orange-colored ones to the Dutch royal family in 1938 and again in 2003 to celebrate royal births. Typically, pink muisjes are used to welcome baby girls, blue for boys, and white is used for general purposes or to celebrate the birth of boys. Another variation, gestampte muisjes, consists of crushed muisjes sprinkled over buttered bread or rusk, which is a common breakfast treat for Dutch children.