Popular Christmas Foods

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And Their Origins

Thoughts about traditional Christmas food are likely to include items such as mince pies, Christmas cake and turkey. It is generally taken for granted that these types of foods are part of the yearly celebrations as they help to characterize Christmas and make it as we know it.

But if you’ve ever wondered if turkey has always traditionally been eaten at this time of year, how Christmas pudding originated or whether mince pies have always been popular, then read on!

Turkey

Meat has always featured at the center of traditional Christmas feasts, although it is has not always been in the form of turkey. The act of serving a large roasted joint of meat at Christmas is believed to originate from ancient sacrificial rites to appease the gods and hopefully ensure a sufficient harvest in the following year. Popular meats used for early celebratory purposes were beef, mutton, pork, peacocks and swans. King James I can be thanked for the emergence of turkey as he introduced it during the seventeenth century – for the important reason that it was far kinder to his delicate digestive system! Of course not everyone could afford it, and the poor had to make do with goose.

Mince Pies

Mince pies, or Christmas pies as they were often known, have existed for centuries, although their shape and content have changed dramatically through the ages. In their original form mince pies were much larger, crib-shaped to represent the manger and packed full of meat, spices and fruit. Unfortunately, the mince pie tradition hasn’t always been upheld as during his time in the mid-seventeenth century Cromwell decided they were far too indulgent and banned them. Eventually mince pies came back into existence after the Restoration. The sweet, rich and fruity pies that we are now accustomed to developed early in the twentieth century when the meat content was removed for good.

Christmas Pudding

Christmas pudding, or plum/figgy pudding, is believed to originate from the medieval period when plum pottage was served during festivities. Plum pottage was a meat broth that had breadcrumbs and dried fruit added for thickening purposes, and was seasoned with wine and spices. This form of broth developed into a thicker pudding during the seventeenth century when pudding cloths were invented; the meat content was later removed and it became more as we know it today. The pudding became specifically associated with Christmas, rather than merely any festive occasions, when it was introduced to the Royal Christmas dinner table by Prince Albert.

Christmas Cake

Christmas cake as we know it now – a rich fruit cake with marzipan and icing - was introduced as a custom by the Victorians. Prior to that period, cake was eaten during Christmas, but without the toppings. The idea of using marzipan is thought to be linked to the Tudor Marchpane – an iced and decorated cake of marzipan that acted as the table centerpiece during banquets and festive occasions.

As can be seen, many of the food items typically associated with Christmas are based on ancient, and often medieval, traditions. So, if you’re tucking into traditional Christmas fare this year, happy eating and enjoy!


By
Rachel Newcombe