Christmas Pudding

Christmas Puddings as we know them were introduced as a family tradition in Victorian times by Prince Albert who was Queen Victoria's husband. The puddings looked and tasted very much as they do today. However, in those days they were all made at home and all the ingredients had to be chopped and mixed by hand. These days most people buy them from supermarkets as they don't have time to make one. People sometimes sprinkle the puddings with brandy and set fire to them.

The puddings that we have now are nothing like the first Christmas pudding recipes which date back to the Middle Ages. Then known as mince pie, they contained chopped poultry, pheasant, rabbit and partridge. Some time later sugar, apples, raisins and candied oranges and lemons were added to the mixture.

In the 14th century the traditional pudding changed into a sort of porridge which was made beef, mutton, raisins, currents, prunes, wine and mixed spices. This was eaten before the Christmas celebrations began. In 1595 the recipe changed as spirits, dried fruit, eggs and breadcrumbs were added. This became known as Plum pudding. Not everyone was happy with the puddings. A group of people called the Puritans said this pudding should not be eaten as it was not suitable for followers of God.

In 1714 King George I said this pudding should be eaten at Christmas time. However, by this time meat was not included in the recipe.