Christmas Pudding

Christmas pudding has its origins in the late medieval plum pottage – a rich, spiced mix of dried fruit, beef and gravy. ‘Plum’ was just a generic term for any dried fruit (although, confusingly, ‘sugarplums’ meant sugared almonds). Plum pottage was sufficiently expensive to become associated with feasting, especially in the winter, as the ingredients did not rely upon fresh produce. By the 18th century the pottage had become a pudding, with the addition o