Christmas Food Facts and Trivia

Who knew there were so many great food facts and trivia surrounding Christmas? I started posting different facts I’m finding on my Reluctant Gourmet Facebook page and thought I would consolidate them all here and add to this list as I find them. Of course, if you have one you would like to share, please share it in the comments area below. And most of all –

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Candy Canes

Do you know that candy canes originated in 1670 when a German choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks bent to look like shepherd’s staff to keep the kids quiet? What was he thinking? Giving sugar to kids to keep them quiet! The original candy canes were all white, and the stripes were added about 50 years later.

Sugar Plums

We have all heard the famous line from Twas the Night Before Christmas poem—”while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads,” but how many of you know what sugar plums actually are? Originally, they were sugar-coated coriander seeds that initially tasted sweet and then offered a spicy flavor. After a while, pieces of dried fruit were added to become the confection we know today as sugar plums.

Figgy Pudding

 So last night, we watched the 1938 version of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, as we do every year to get us in the Christmas spirit. In the movie, Mrs. Cratchit serves her Figgy Pudding, the dessert made famous in We Wish You a Merry Christmas. What is Figgy Pudding, also called Christmas Pudding? It is a dish similar to bread pudding and made with figs, bread crumbs, nutmeg, cinnamon milk, and various other ingredients, depending on whose recipe you are looking at. After it is baked, it is topped with a cognac or brandy and set ablaze.

Yule Log

The Yule log cake, a traditional Christmas dessert, originates from an ancient European tradition of burning a large log on the winter solstice to welcome the light and celebrate the return of longer days.

Eggnog Origins

Eggnog is believed to have originated in medieval Britain, where it was called “posset,” a hot, milky, ale-like drink. It later evolved into the creamy, eggy concoction we know today.

Gingerbread Houses

The tradition of making gingerbread houses originated in Germany during the 16th century. It gained popularity after the Brothers Grimm published the story of Hansel and Gretel, who encountered a witch’s gingerbread house in the forest.

Feast of the Seven Fishes

In Italian-American communities, it’s a tradition to celebrate Christmas Eve with a Feast of the Seven Fishes, a meal featuring seven different seafood dishes. The number seven is believed to symbolize the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.

Mince Pies

Mince pies, a traditional Christmas treat in the UK, date back to the 13th century. Originally, they contained minced meat, along with fruits, spices, and suet. Today, most mince pies are sweet and filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices.

Christmas Pudding

Christmas pudding, also known as plum pudding, has been a part of British Christmas celebrations since the medieval period. It traditionally contains suet, dried fruits, spices, and sometimes alcohol.

Turkey Tradition

Eating turkey for Christmas dinner became popular in England during the 16th century after it was introduced to Europe from the Americas. It eventually spread to other English-speaking countries and became a staple Christmas dish.

The Christmas Pickle

In some parts of the United States, there’s a tradition of hiding a pickle-shaped ornament on the Christmas tree. The first person to find the pickle on Christmas morning receives an extra gift or good luck for the following year.

Fruitcake

Fruitcake has a long history dating back to ancient Rome. It was often used as an offering in religious ceremonies. Today, it’s a polarizing Christmas treat known for its dense texture and abundance of candied fruits and nuts

Poinsettia Salad

In the early 20th century, serving a “Poinsettia Salad” at Christmas parties was popular. This salad featured layers of lime gelatin, cranberry gelatin, and sometimes cream cheese, resembling the colors of a poinsettia flower.

Tamales

In many Latin American countries and communities, tamales are a traditional Christmas dish. Making tamales is often a communal activity, with family and friends coming together to prepare large batches of these filled cornmeal pockets wrapped in corn husks.

Christmas Dinner in Japan

In Japan, eating KFC for Christmas dinner has become a popular tradition. This unusual tradition started in the 1970s after a successful marketing campaign by Kentucky Fried Chicken. Due to high demand, orders for KFC Christmas dinners must be placed weeks in advance.

Roast Goose

Before the widespread adoption of turkey, roast goose was the traditional Christmas bird in England. It was popularized by Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” where the Cratchit family enjoys a goose for their Christmas feast.

Fried Catfish in the Southern United States

In some regions, particularly Louisiana, fried catfish is a popular Christmas Eve dish. It’s often served alongside other Southern favorites like hush puppies and coleslaw.

Panettone

Panettone is a sweet Italian bread loaf traditionally served during Christmas and New Year. Legend has it that its creation can be traced back to a 15th-century Milanese nobleman’s love for a baker’s daughter named Toni.

Bûche de Noël

Bûche de Noël, or Yule log cake, is a traditional French dessert served during the Christmas season. It’s made by rolling sponge cake filled with cream into a log shape, then frosting it to resemble a tree log.

Hot Chocolate & Candy Canes

Hot chocolate and candy cane pairing became popular in the United States during the 1950s. The candy cane is often used as a stirrer for the hot chocolate, adding a minty flavor to the drink.

Christmas Ham

In many countries, including the United States, Australia, and parts of Europe, serving ham as part of the Christmas dinner is a popular tradition. This tradition likely originated in Northern Europe, where wild boar was a common feast dish.

Christmas Cookies

The tradition of baking and decorating Christmas cookies can be traced back to Medieval Europe when it was common to make cookies shaped like animals and decorate them with colored frosting.

From Denmark

Æbleskiver

These are traditional Danish Christmas pancakes shaped like small, round balls. They are typically served hot with powdered sugar and raspberry jam for dipping. Æbleskiver is a favorite Christmas treat enjoyed throughout Denmark during the holiday season.

Gløgg

Gløgg is a Danish version of mulled wine, a spiced and heated alcoholic beverage typically made with red wine, spices such as cloves and cinnamon, citrus fruits, and sometimes almonds and raisins. It’s a popular drink during the Christmas season and is often enjoyed hot.

Risalamande

This Danish rice pudding dessert is traditionally served on Christmas Eve. The rice pudding is mixed with vanilla, whipped cream, and chopped almonds, and a whole almond is hidden within. The person who finds the whole almond in their serving receives a small gift or good luck for the coming year.

Frikadeller

Frikadeller are Danish meatballs typically made from a mixture of ground pork and beef, onions, eggs, flour, and seasoning. They are often served as part of the Christmas dinner spread, either as an appetizer or alongside other main dishes.

Rødgrød med Fløde

This traditional Danish dessert is made from a combination of red berries such as strawberries, raspberries, and red currants, cooked down into a thick pudding-like consistency and served with cold cream (fløde) poured over the top. It’s a refreshing and colorful treat often enjoyed during the holiday season.

Julefrokost

Julefrokost, or Christmas lunch, is a festive meal in Denmark during Christmas. It typically consists of an array of cold dishes such as pickled herring, smoked salmon, liver pâté, cold cuts, cheese, and bread, accompanied by snaps (aquavit) or beer.

Happy Holidays and Have a Merry Christmas