A Brief History: Rice Pudding (2024)

A Brief History: Rice Pudding (1)

Rice pudding, whilst rejected by some for being too plain and stodgy, still remains one of my favourite comfort foods. It’s actually been around for centuries, believe it or not, and was thought to have originated in China, which has an ancient rice culture. This has been disputed by some food historians; they argue that rice pudding likely originated in India, which has an ancient rice culture as well as an ancient sugar culture.

In Asia rice pudding was never referred to as rice pudding; instead, it was called a sweet rice porridge instead. Rice is mixed with water, milk, or cream, and then sweetened to taste before boiling or baking. Sometimes dried fruits are added to the mixture, such as raisins or apricots.

Nearly every country in the world has a rice pudding recipe; in Spain it is calledArroz con leche – rice with milk, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest. In the south of India it is calledpayasam where rice is slowly boiled with sugar or jaggery and nuts, and in the north of India the same concoction is referred to askheer. In Indonesia a black glutinous rice porridge is referred to asketan hitam, and in Iranfirni is served, which is broken rice cooked with cardamom and pistachios before being reduced to a paste and served.

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In the Oxford Companion to Food, Alan Davidson writes: Rice pudding is the descendant of earlier rice pottages, which date back to the time of the Romans, who however used such a dish only as a medicine to settle upset stomachs. There were medieval rice pottages made of rice boiled until soft, then mixed with almond milk or cow’s milk, or both, sweetened, and sometimes coloured. Rice was an expensive import, and these were luxury Lenten dishes for the rich. Recipes for baked rice puddings began to appear in the early 17th century and nutmeg survives in modern recipes.

Here’s a link to an authentic Tudor-style rice pudding; the recipe was inspired by several historical Tudor dynasty cooking manuscripts.

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A Brief History: Rice Pudding (2024)

FAQs

A Brief History: Rice Pudding? ›

It's actually been around for centuries, believe it or not, and was thought to have originated in China, which has an ancient rice culture. This has been disputed by some food historians; they argue that rice pudding likely originated in India, which has an ancient rice culture as well as an ancient sugar culture.

What is the history of pudding? ›

British puddings trace its origins back to 1305, where the word 'pudding' was derived from the Middle English word 'poding', which meant a 'meat filled' animal stomach. ' The British usage of the word 'pudding,' however, is closer to the Latin word 'botellus' which means sausage.

What is the history of Rizogalo? ›

Rizogalo is said to have been extremely popular with Greeks during the Turkish occupation. Others insist that it arrived in Greece with the National Revolution of 1821 along with other sweets of French origin.

Do people still eat rice pudding? ›

Wyatt's “prediction” was somewhat tongue-in-cheek: Rice pudding — and arroz con leche, riz au lait, kheer, and so on — is a globally loved dessert that has never left homes or menus.

What is traditional rice pudding made of? ›

Rice pudding is a creamy mixture of rice and milk that is cooked until it's thick and soft. It can be sweet or savory. This raisin-studded dessert rice pudding is thickened with an egg, sweetened with sugar, and enhanced with vanilla.

Who started the pudding? ›

To focus attention on British usage (of the word pudding) is legitimate, since pudding may be claimed as a British invention, and is certainly a characteristic dish of British cuisine… It seems that the ancestor of the term was the Latin word botellus, meaning sausage, from which came boudin and also pudding.

What country eats pudding first? ›

My dad served in the US Army and when we were stationed in Germany, we learned the European way of eating: dessert first. Throughout Europe it's common for a meal to begin with a fruit tart or pastry.

What is rice pudding history? ›

It's actually been around for centuries, believe it or not, and was thought to have originated in China, which has an ancient rice culture. This has been disputed by some food historians; they argue that rice pudding likely originated in India, which has an ancient rice culture as well as an ancient sugar culture.

Where is rice pudding found? ›

Such desserts are found on many continents, especially Asia where rice is a staple. Some variants are thickened only with the rice starch; others include eggs, making them a kind of custard.

Which is the greatest rice pudding in the world? ›

Taste Atlas recognizes Indian desserts Phirni, Kheer, and Sakkarai Pongal among top rice puddings globally. These sweets, rich in cultural significance, offer a delightful experience during festive gatherings, showcasing the diversity of Indian cuisine.

Can I eat 2 day old rice pudding? ›

You can serve your rice pudding immediately, or let it cool to room temperature and store it in the fridge for a cold, fruit-topped breakfast or snack. The pudding will keep in your fridge for about 4 days.

Is rice pudding good for your stomach? ›

When you're feeling nauseated it can be one of the best things to eat. It helps soothe your stomach, provides calories, and the sweetness can help... With coconut and the sweet aromatic Indian spices, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and star anise, this Coconut Rice Pudding is comforting and tasty all at the same time.

Is it okay to eat rice pudding at night? ›

Rice pudding is incredibly comforting and this one is great for anyone that's looking for a bedtime snack. Some ingredients such as oats, milk, pumpkin seeds and cardamom pods contain calming components such as Melatonin and Tryptophan. They help your body to produce serotonin which can aid sleep and relaxation.

Why does my rice pudding get hard? ›

It also ensures that the rice in the pudding will not get crunchy (retrograde) when refrigerated." Retrogradation, they explain, is the process in which cooked rice becomes hard again under refrigeration. It happens to rice that is high in the starch called amylose, such as U.S. long-grain rice.

What kind of rice is best for rice pudding? ›

Rice - I've tried all sorts of rice types and uncooked medium grain is by far the best for rice pudding, followed by risotto rice. Risotto rice (arborio) - needs extra liquid, add 1 cup (250ml) water into the saucepan with milk, and cook for 1 hr 20 minutes.

Do they eat rice pudding in America? ›

In the U.K., a short-grained "pudding rice" is most often used to make rice pudding. In the U.S., Americans tend to use long grain white rice varieties. You don't find rice pudding too often these days.

What was the original pudding? ›

The pudding we know today began life as a pottage. This was a kind of broth, including raisins and other dried fruit, spices and wine. It was thickened with breadcrumbs or ground almonds. Not dissimilar to the mince pies of yesteryear, it often included meat or at least meat stock.

What is the history of poor man's pudding? ›

Legend has it that pouding chômeur (“unemployed-person pudding”) was created by female factory workers relying on the inexpensive staples they had on hand, much like other desperation-inspired dishes such as sugar cream pie. During tough times, Canadian women made the pudding from stale bread and brown sugar sauce.

Is pudding British or American? ›

Early British pudding can be traced to medieval times

The origins of pudding can help explain the linguistic differences today. Food historians have traced the original puddings back to savory roots, as they first appeared in medieval times, long before the modern United States of America as we know it existed.

Why is everything called pudding? ›

The simple explanation is that Brits use the word 'pudding' to refer to dessert. If they are going to serve you an actual pudding they will specify the type of pudding – for example, sticky toffee pudding or rice pudding.

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