National Plum Pudding Day
National Plum Pudding Day is celebrated every year on February 12th, giving dessert lovers a great reason to revisit a centuries-old treat that’s rich in history and flavor.
Did you know that it is a British dessert that’s more like a dense, spiced fruit cake than what many think of as pudding? Despite the name, plum pudding rarely contains plums. In fact, in older English usage, the word plum simply meant dried fruit such as raisins or currants.
A Bite of History of Plum Pudding: From Medieval Kitchens to Today
In the Middle Ages, cooks prepared something called plum pottage- a thick, porridge-like meal made with meat, grains, spices, and dried fruits. Back then, “plum” didn’t mean the fresh fruit we think of today. It was a general word for any dried fruit, especially raisins and currants.
Over the centuries, this filling dish slowly changed. As sugar, spices, and dried fruits became more widely available through trade, cooks began removing the meat and leaning into sweetness. By the 17th century, the mixture had grown richer and darker, packed with fruit and spices, then boiled or steamed in cloths or basins to create a firm, sliceable pudding.
By the Victorian era, plum pudding had fully transformed into a celebratory dessert and found its permanent place at the end of Christmas dinner. Families began preparing it weeks in advance, allowing it to mature and deepen in flavor. Traditions grew around it, everyone taking turns stirring the batter while making a wish, and sometimes even flaming the pudding before serving for dramatic effect.
How to Celebrate This Day
- Just eat plum pudding. Doesn’t matter if it’s homemade, store-bought, or from some bakery that sticks to old British recipes.
- If you’re up for a little challenge, try making one yourself. Plum pudding isn’t a quick thing. You have to mix it, steam it, and then wait. That waiting part is kind of the point. Plus, there’s this old tradition where everyone stirs the pudding and makes a wish. It’s a nice way to include people in the process.
- Not into baking? No worries. Just grab a slice and add warm custard, brandy sauce, or vanilla ice cream. It’s a cozy dessert, perfect after dinner.
- Some folks like to learn about the history behind it, watch classic British holiday movies, or share a fun plum pudding fact with friends or family.
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