National Plum Pudding Day Date in the current year: February 12, 2024

Plum pudding originated in medieval England. It is traditionally served during the Christmas dinner in the UK and Ireland, as well as in some former British colonies, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the Caribbean.

Despite the name, plum pudding doesn't contain any actual plums. The thing is, in Middle English the world "plum" was used as a term for raisins and other dried fruits, which Christmas pudding did contain. The principal ingredients of a plum pudding include suet, flour, sugar, eggs, dried and candied fruits, spices, nuts, and some kind of liquor.

Prior to the 19th century, plum pudding was cooked by boiling and served immediately. During the Victorian era, recipes changed slightly; today, Christmas pudding is cooked by steaming four to five weeks before Christmas and left to mature. Before serving, it is reheated by steaming once more and sometimes flamed with brandy.

If you want to celebrate National Plum Pudding Day, find a plum pudding recipe and cook it to share with your friends and family. See it as a rehearsal Christmas dinner!