“ We Wish You a Merry Christmas ” is an ode to figgy pudding disguised as a straightforwardChristmas song . Three out of four verse insome versionsare dedicate to the dish . So after listen to enough holiday music this December , you may initiate to question : What is figgy pud , anyway ? And is it really so practiced that you ’d actually beg for it on a stranger ’s doorstep through song ?
According toNPR , figgy pud , also call “ plum pudding , ” isn’tpudding — at least not the form of pudding many Americans imagine of when they hear the give-and-take — and it moderate neither figs nor plums . In the UK , puddingis used as snatch - all to key out any sweet dish served after a meal . Figgy pudding is n’t creamy or custardy , but it is a sugary bar , whichqualifies it as puddingoverseas .
In its most basic form , figgy pudding is a steam , often vaulted - regulate patty made with intoxicant and dried fruit . The first interpretation of figgy pudding surfaced inBritain in the 14th century . Back then , it was a stew - like , savory dish containing beef and mouton as well as fruit and wine-colored . In the 15th century , this mixture was stuff into animal casings to make blimp that would last through the winter .
By the end of the 16th century , figgy pudding had transition to a fully sweet saucer — right around the same time caroler begin singing , “ Now fetch us some figgy pudding , ” to their wealthy neighbors aroundChristmas . Today , the dessert is commonly filled with currants , raisins , and soaked in rum or brandy .
So where did the first one-half of its name number from ? In pre - straightlaced England , the wordplumwas applied to any type of dry fruit , including raisins , soplum puddingcaught on . fig occasionally appeared in formula throughout the dish ’s history , though they ’re not reckon a traditional constituent .
If you ’re call back about cook a throwback feast this Christmas , do n’t hold on at figgy pudding . From oyster stew to mincemeat Proto-Indo European , here are some moreclassic British dishesthat have ties to the holiday .
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A version of this story run in 2019 ; it has been update for 2024 .
