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.

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.

Related

Share This Post

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 behind rice pudding? ›

In India, rice pudding (known as kheer) is a staple food that potentially dates back as far as 6000 BCE, as it was included in the Ancient Indian diet prescribed by Ayurveda, an ancient alternative health regime. However, many early rice puddings did not resemble the sweet dessert we think of today.

What is rice pudding called in America? ›

Arroz con leche (rice with milk) is the Spanish and American type of rice pudding.

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.

What is the origin of Roz Bel Laban? ›

Roz Bil Laban, also known as Coconut Rice Pudding, is a classic Egyptian recipe that uses rice, milk, coconut cream, and spices to create a warm, sweet treat that's easy to make and ultra satisfying!

Which is the greatest rice pudding in the world? ›

Answer: 1. the greatest rice pudding in the world is kheer. 2.it is the mixture of sweetened milk with a whole rice.

Which country eats rice pudding on Christmas? ›

Rice pudding is made in Norway, Sweden and Denmark for Christmas. The dessert consists of rice porridge mixed with vanilla and whipped cream and served with a red sauce. Adding whipped cream makes the rice pudding very creamy.

Is rice pudding good for you? ›

You've got to love that it's made from simple ingredients like rice, milk, sugar and eggs. While this is a dessert, it does offer some nutritional benefits, including almost 10 grams of protein and 15 percent of the daily recommendation for bone-building calcium per cup.

What cultures eat rice pudding? ›

Nearly every culture has a version of the comfort food, from kheer in India, to Swedish risgrynsgot and champorado, the chocolate sticky rice pudding that is a staple in the Philippines. While the exact ingredients change, the basic elements are universal: Rice – short, medium, or long grain; white, brown, or black.

Is rice pudding eaten hot or cold? ›

Depending on where you are in the world, rice pudding can be eaten cold or warm. In the United States, where rice pudding is traditionally served as a dessert, it is usually cold. Whereas in Sweden, for example, rice pudding is warmed and eaten for breakfast.

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.

What causes rice pudding to get watery? ›

Oven temperature is an important key to baking custards. If eggs are overheated by high temperatures over 325ºF, they curdle and get watery. Some people use a (messy and potentially dangerous) water bath to hold the baking dish of pudding.

What is the origin of Roz? ›

Roz, an Old German girl's name, lends a modern feel to a historic-sounding name. Meaning "gentle horse," it's a shortened form of the Shakespearean favorite Rosalind.

What is the origin of the word Laban? ›

Laban as a boy's name is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Laban is "white".

What are the cultural influences of 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.

Is rice pudding a Christmas tradition? ›

Use in Christmas tradition

Simple rice pudding (risengrød) can be served all year in Denmark, but is also often seen as a Christmas dish.

What is the meaning of rice pudding? ›

: a sweet food made of rice cooked with milk and sugar.

Who invented 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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gregorio Kreiger

Last Updated:

Views: 6100

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gregorio Kreiger

Birthday: 1994-12-18

Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

Phone: +9014805370218

Job: Customer Designer

Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.