#6: Christmas Pudding
Christmas Pudding, also known as plum pudding, dates back to Medieval times. This dessert often contains charms which symbolise good luck for the New Year.
Christmas pudding dates back to the early 15th century. Like early mince pies, they were known to contain meat, such as chopped beef or mutton, as well as onions, and sometimes other root vegetables and dried fruit. Christmas pudding had 13 ingredients, to represent Jesus as well as the 12 disciples. Known sometimes as the Pudding King, George I asked that plum pudding be served as part of his royal feast when he celebrated his first Christmas in England after arriving from Hanover to gain the throne in 1714. This shows us how Christmas Pudding has come to be associated with Christmas time, and become one of the most famous Christmas desserts.
In 1875, an unknown author recorded the following passage on the Christmas plum pudding:
"Christmas Plum Pudding.-- The plum pudding is a national dish, and is despised by foreign nations because they never can make it fit to eat. In almost every family there is a recipe for it, which has been handed down from mother to daughter through two or three generations, and which never has been and never will be equalled, much less surpassed, by any other...It is usualy, before sending it to table, to make a little hole in the top and fill it with brandy, then light it, and serve it in a blaze. In olden time a sprig of arbutus, with a red berry on it, was stuck in the middle, and a twig of variegated holly, with berries, placed on each side. This was done to keep away witches...If well made, Christmas plum pudding will be good for twelve months."
However, when new types of dried fruit became available in Britain, beginning with raisins and then prunes, they were added to the dessert. Soon, the meat and then the root vegetables disappeared from the recipe, therefore making it a dessert, rather than a filling first course entree.
The tradition of inserting inedible trinkets, such as coins, into the Christmas pudding descends from pagan rituals for good luck and fortune. Some believe that it developed in Victorian England, however others believe that it began in the Stuart period. They were thought to bring luck and fortune to the finder. Currently, this practice is generally skipped due to health and safety reasons.
"Another important addition to the mixture is an old coin, which is cooked in the pudding. It will supposedly bring wealth to whoever finds it on their plate on Christmas Day. An old silver sixpence or threepenny bit is the traditional coin, but a thoroughly washed 10p piece will do. Just make sure everyone knows it's there and warn them to look out for it when tucking into the pud. Other traditional additions to the pudding include a ring, supposed to foretell a marriage, and a thimble for a lucky life. If you're worried your guests may swallow them by mistake you could wrap all these lucky charms in little packages of greaseproof paper before stirring them in."
