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.