Plum duff

Plum Duff is a traditional British dessert, often associated with the Christmas holiday season. It is also known as Christmas Pudding or simply Pudding in some regions. Despite its name, Plum Duff does not traditionally contain plums. The term "plum" in the name of this dish refers to the pre-Victorian use of the word for raisins.

History

The origins of Plum Duff can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when it was a type of porridge containing beef and mutton with raisins, currants, prunes, wines and spices. This mixture was packed into a sheep's intestine, similar to a sausage, and boiled. Over time, the recipe evolved into a sweet dessert, with the meat being replaced by suet and flour.

Ingredients and Preparation

The main ingredients of Plum Duff are suet, flour, bread crumbs, sugar, raisins, currants, prunes, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and beer or other alcohol. Some variations may also include treacle or molasses, apple, carrot, and orange zest.

The ingredients are mixed together and then packed into a pudding basin or cloth, which is then boiled or steamed. The pudding is traditionally made several weeks before Christmas and is often ceremoniously stirred, with each member of the household taking a turn, while making a wish.

Traditions

In many British households, it is traditional to include small tokens in the Plum Duff. These may include a small coin for wealth, a ring for marriage, or a thimble for thrift. These tokens are said to bring luck to the person who finds them in their serving of pudding.

See Also

• British cuisine
• Christmas traditions in the United Kingdom
• Pudding