A Christmas Pudding Story

Christmas pudding, a dessert steeped in tradition and a little bit of mystery, is as much a part of the festive season as carols and cracker jokes. Its history, however, begins in a surprising place—not as a dessert but as a medieval savoury dish called frumenty. This concoction of beef, mutton, dried fruits, and spices was more stew than pudding and served as a practical winter staple, blending preserved foods to sustain households during the colder months.

Diners eating frumenty in the 15th Century.

By the 17th century, the dish began to sweeten, as sugar became more widely available, and Christmas pudding as we recognize it started to take shape. It gained a solid foothold on British holiday tables in the Victorian era, buoyed by royal endorsements and the tradition of Stir-Up Sunday. On this day, families would gather to prepare the pudding, each member stirring the mixture while making a wish—a practice steeped in superstition and a sense of familial bonding. Even today, the ritual survives in some households, though modern mixers may have replaced elbow grease in some kitchens.

“In half a minute Mrs Cratchit entered – flushed, but smiling proudly – with the pudding, like a speckled cannon ball, so hard and firm, blazing in half a half a quartern of ignited brandy, and bedight with Christmas Holly stuck into the top. Oh, what a wonderful pudding!”

– Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol, 1843

At Forman & Field, we’re proud to continue this tradition, albeit with a contemporary twist. While our managing director may not insist on wishes during his mixing (though we wouldn’t put it past him), he does oversee the creation of our puddings with the same care and craftsmanship that has defined this dessert for centuries. Our recipe, developed by Lloyd Hardwick, uses only the finest ingredients, all hand-prepared—from the chopping of fruits to the final packaging. Each pudding is ‘third cooked,’ a process that halts the cooking after the initial stage, allowing the flavours to deepen and evolve until the grand steaming on Christmas Day. This method is what gives our puddings their celebrated richness and texture.

For those with patience—and a refined palate—we set aside a small selection of puddings each year to mature further. These ‘vintage’ puddings, akin to fine wine, develop even more complex flavours over time. A matured pudding is a homage to tradition, bringing an extra layer of depth and luxury to the holiday table.

For an extra indulgent touch, we offer a Limited Edition Christmas Pudding, complete with a charming Forman & Field flask filled with 5-year-old Somerset brandy and a lucky sixpence for you to hide inside – the perfect blend of tradition and indulgence.

Explore our Christmas pudding collection and suggested pairings below. For the vintage selection, look under our Hand-Mixed Christmas Pudding category.