Christmas Pudding is a Christmas tradition that many of us would not do without. Have you ever wondered how this tradition came about, or would you like to follow the centuries-old tradition and make your own?
Tradition of Christmas Puddings
The original recipe was a 14th-century British breakfast meal known as Frumenty , it was made from a mixture of Oats, Beef, Mutton, and Raisins. Also in the mix were wine, currants, and spices. It was more of a soupy consistency and was boiled in milk.
This evolved over time and many changes were made, such as the addition of breadcrumbs and eggs, and it became a sweeter thicker pudding. It was in the Victorian era, that the Christmas Pudding we all know and love today was first made. It was also known as Plum Pudding as at that time raisins were called plums.
Many traditions differ slightly with some regions of the UK eating it on Christmas Eve, whilst in Yorkshire it was eaten on Christmas morning. Nowadays it is the pudding of choice for thousands of Brits. It is a beautiful ending to our special meal and for me sums up Christmas. The sight of the brown ball decorated with a sprig of Holly, then set alight before eating is simply glorious!
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Traditionally Christmas Puddings are made to coincide with the start of advent, which in the Christian calendar is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. You should plan to make your pudding 4-5 before Christmas, that way it has had a good time for the fruit to soak up all the alcohol and ferment properly.
In the Victorian days the Sunday that starts Advent was known as “Stir-up-Sunday” and was the day that marks the commencement of Advent and was pudding-making day. The pudding was made up of thirteen ingredients, to symbolise the 12 apostles and Jesus Christ. All the ingredients were put into a bowl and everyone in the household would stir the pudding three times.
Christian’s mark Advent, with many traditions and services. It is the period leading up to Christmas that marks the nativity or expectation of Christ’s birth. This is also accompanied by the advent Calendar or candle, counting the days to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year Advent commences on 28th November 2021, this is the first Sunday of advent.
The stirring three times was to symbolise the 3 wise men and their journey towards meeting baby Jesus in Bethlehem. When stirring each person makes a wish and this brings good fortune for the year ahead. This makes a lovely family activity to enjoy together and mark the coming of the festive period, whatever your personal religious beliefs.
The additions of silver trinkets or a sixpence, was to give whoever was lucky enough to find a piece of silver good fortune for the coming year.
What are the 13 Ingredients in Christmas Pudding?
Flour
Suet
Brown Sugar
Eggs
Milk
Raisins
Currants
Brandy
Breadcrumbs
Lemon Peel
Orange Peel
Mixed Spices
Citron
Are Christmas Puddings Healthy?
Believe it or not, Christmas Puddings are very healthy and full of nutrition, especially when you make them yourself. Made with dried fruit and suet, the ingredients are full of healthy fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals, potassium, polyphenols, and iron.
Eaten in moderation it can aid digestion and reduce bloating. Which is especially advantageous if you’ve overindulged on the Christmas dinner. The spices used are packed with antioxidants as well so you can eat Christmas Pudding relatively guilt-free, unless you go mad with the brandy butter or ice cream in which case all the good may be wiped out.
If you opt for a shop-bought pudding then try a matured version. Marks & Spencer makes a 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding, which serves 8 people for £12.00. Fruit that has been left to mature or ferment is full of gut-friendly probiotics and is very good for you. You can also benefit from the fermentation process when homemaking as it is recommended to make the pudding 4-5 weeks before Christmas.
There are loads of delectable Christmas Puds in our shops, to suit all tastes, party sizes, and budgets. Sainsbury’s has a good range, from a pudding for one, priced at £1.00 all the way up to the higher price of £9.00, for the 800g pudding from their Taste the Difference range.
Luxury Christmas Puddings
If you want to indulge in some luxury for a treat then Harrods have a fantastic selection to choose from. There are Vegan Alcohol-free options, and the showstopper is a 12-month matured decadent Christmas Pudding, 907g for £24.00. This indulgent pudding has been soaked in Cognac, Spanish Sherry, and British Cider.
Christmas Pudding as Gifts
If you are a guest somewhere this Christmas and are not sure what to bring as a contribution or gift, why not give the gift of a luxury Christmas Pudding. World-famous eclectic department store Liberty in London has a fabulous Orange Liqueur Christmas Pudding. It comes packaged in a festive sturdy, airtight tin with a clip top, which can be re-used. Priced a little high at £26.95 for 454g, this is a gift in itself, and will certainly leave a good impression on your host.
Alternative Christmas Puddings
Nowadays there are so many alternatives Christmas Puddings available. You can buy gluten-free ones, alcohol-free, vegan, nut-free, and more. These are great for anyone with special dietary requirements, so they can be included with the traditional pudding at Christmas dinner.
If you are one of the few people that do not like a Christmas Pudding then you can opt for a steamed sponge. Yummy versions include treacle or chocolate. Made in the same way as a Christmas Pudding but not full of spices and dried fruit, these are great options for younger children.
If Christmas pudding just isn't your thing, there are so many Christmas themed treats you can enjoy that will sprinkle the festive season with some Christmas joy. Cadbury Gifts Direct have a nice selection of Christmas chocolates to choose from.
One of the world’s most expensive Christmas pudding was priced at a staggering £28,000! It is made with a gold coin inside, steeped in a 200-year-old Cognac and its ingredients include rare organic Dates and Almonds from Iran.
The world record for the heaviest Christmas Pudding was set in 1992, and has not yet been beaten, this mega-pudding weighed 3.28 tonnes! Which is roughly the weight of two average-sized cars.
The oldest Pudding in existence is from 1900 and was found in the back of a cupboard in Poole Dorset. It has been preserved in a glass jar but is sadly inedible. It was part of a food parcel sent by a Victorian philanthropist to Naval brigades fighting in the Boer war.
Don’t be afraid of making your own
This past couple of years have got lots of us cooking more and experimenting with food. So why not carry this on and make your own pudding. It is relatively simple. Very little equipment is needed, it may be worthwhile buying a good steaming bowl such as this Stoneware Pudding Basin is ideal.
Jamie Oliver makes a quick and easy recipe that we can all replicate at home, delicious and your guests will marvel at your cooking skills.
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