CHRISTMAS  PUDDING

PLUM  PUDDING

English Christmas pudding (also known as Plum Pudding) is a timeless tradition. Indulge your family in an English Christmas treat with our delicious puddings. You won't be disappointed!
Christmas pudding is best enjoyed with brandy butter or sauce. Whipped or clotted cream can be added on top of the pudding.
In America, people are familiar with the Christmas tradition of plum pudding in many carols and stories but very few have actually seen or tasted it. However, in England plum pudding is an important part of the Christmas celebrations and has a rich history with many traditions that surround it.
Plum pudding, otherwise known as Christmas pudding, is a dessert filled with an abundance of prunes, other dried fruits, and nuts. The pudding is a dark colour and is sometimes saturated in different types of alcohol. The pudding is then steamed and moved to be kept in a cool, dry place for several weeks.
In England, plum pudding is a sacred Christmas tradition. Originally, plum pudding was referred to as "hakin" because of its multitude of ingredients and is most often referred to as "Christmas Pudding" in Europe. Inspiration for the Christmas Pudding came from the Middle Age's mince pies, and porridge from the 14th century. In 1595, the recipe finally developed into plum pudding. However, in 1664 plum pudding became banned by the Puritans as a custom unfitting for those who followed the ways of God because of its use of alcohol.
In 1714, King George I brought back plum pudding as part of the traditional Christmas feast despite the Quakers' strong objections. By the 17th century, meat was eliminated from the recipe in favour of more sweets and was sprinkled in brandy and set aflame when served to guests. Later on, plum pudding officially became a tradition when it was introduced to the Victorians by Prince Albert.
There are many traditions and superstitions that surround plum pudding. Some are very religious such as people believing that the pudding must be made by the 25th Sunday of Trinity with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and his disciples. When cooking, each member of the family mixes the pudding from east to west to honor the three kings. By setting it aflame with brandy, the pudding represents Christ's passion. The holly garnish is supposed to represents Christ's crown of thorns. However, holly also represents good luck and supposedly has healing powers.
Some families also stir coins and into their pudding and wish for good luck. Whoever gets a coin will receive good luck, wealth, and their wish will come true. Occasionally rings are added to the pudding to represent the finder getting married in the near future.

Serving

There are several different ways plum pudding can be served. Sometimes it is decorate with a spray of holly and doused in brandy. Plum pudding can even be set on fire and served. Usually families present the pudding in the dark or in ceremonious fashion, where it is met with a round of applause. Plum pudding is topped with brandy butter, rum butter, hard sauce, ice cream, custard or with a castor sugar.

The CURIOSITY Shop has an abundance of Christmas or Plum Puddings to choose from.  We also have hard or brandy sauce and clotted cream.  Many people will purchase a 'pud' for next year and this year eat the one they bought last year!