5 hours Ago By [email protected] (Zoe Chamberlain)
The original 'figgy pudding' is almost unrecognisable from the Christmas pud we tuck into today. Initially it was a pottage, a thick broth full of raisins, spices and wine that was thickened with breadcrumbs or almonds. And, according to English Heritage, it would have traditionally been served at the beginning of the meal rather than as dessert at the end.
Stir Up Sunday was introduced by the Victorians who made their Christmas puddings on the fifth Sunday before Christmas, with each member stirring the mixture in a bid to bring them luck in the year ahead. Custom had it that you were supposed to hide small trinkets in the mix - a silver coin for wealth or maybe a ring for marriage. The whole process is much easier now as you can simply buy a Christmas pud for a few pounds, stick it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and it's ready to serve with custard or brandy sauce.
But are all supermarket Christmas puddings equal? To find out, I bought a selection from Asda , Tesco , M&S , Aldi , Lidl, Sainsbury's and Morrisons . Available in different sizes, I went for the 400g versions of each, which are said to serve four people, and I asked my kids to help me taste test them. Here's what we found.
M&S Christmas Pudding M&S Christmas Pudding costs £2.75 for 400g. Six months matured, this pudding contains 39% sultanas and raisins, 7% cider, 6% rum, candied orange and lemon peel, orange juice, brandy, sherry, caramel, spices and orange oil.
It took two minutes to cook in a 900W microwave plus two minutes standing time. This pudding was a lovely dark colour and it smelt really fruity as it cooked. So I was surprised when it wasn't particularly flavoursome.
It had a nice texture but a very average taste. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. Lidl Christmas Pudding Lidl Christmas Pudding £1.
99 for 400g. Containing 32% sultanas, 8% cider, 6% raisins, 5% rum, candied mixed peel, brandy, sherry, treacle, mixed spices and orange oil, this pudding takes three minutes to cook in a 750W microwave, one minute standing time. There were no other instructions for different microwave powers.
This pudding smelt amazing as it whirred around in the microwave, filling the kitchen with the scents of Christmas. Upon serving, it turned out of the tub easily but then crumbled upon cutting, which was a shame. I found the texture really cloying, it stuck to the roof of my mouth, leaving me wanting to brush my teeth as straight afterwards.
I gave it 2 out of 5 stars. Lidl Christmas pudding Aldi Christmas Pudding Aldi Christmas Pudding £1.99 for 400g.
Six months matured, it contains 32% sultana, 8% cider, 6% raisins, 5% rum, 1% brandy, 1% sherry, spices, orange juice and orange oil. It takes two-and-a-half minutes to cook in the microwave, plus a minute's standing time. It turned out onto the plate really easily and looked lovely.
Six months matured, this was a really moist pud that was absolutely packed with flavour. For me, it was the most Christmassy of all the puddings. The texture was soft and not at all stodgy.
I really enjoyed it and gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Asda Christmas Pudding Asda Christmas Pudding costs £3.10 for 400g.
Asda only had 'alcohol-free' pudding available when I visited the store so I was interested to see how this compared to the other brands. Six months matured, it contains 26% sultanas, 12% raisins, 2% candied citrus peel, apple juice concentrate and mixed spices. It takes two minutes to cook in a 900W microwave plus a minute's standing time.
I thought it might lack the flavour of the others, or not feel particularly festive due to the fact it contained no alcohol but this wasn't the case at all. The juicy fruit had a richness and the texture was lovely, not at all cloying or drying in the mouth. This was a delicious dessert.
I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Christmas food reviews Mince pies Christmas biscuits Irish cream liqueurs Sainsbury's Christmas Pudding Sainsbury's Christmas Pudding costs £3 for 400g. It takes two minutes and 40 seconds to cook in a 900W microwave, plus a minute's standing time.
The six month matured pudding contains 35% sultanas, 17% cider, rum, raisins, sherry, brandy, candied citrus peel, treacle, mixed spice and orange oil. This one smelt super Christmassy too. It was boozy and full of fruit, chewy in texture but in a good way.
I was glad that you couldn't taste the candied peel too strongly. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Morrisons Christmas Pudding Morrisons Christmas Pudding costs £2.
50 for 400g. It takes two minutes to cook in a 900W microwave plus a minute's standing time. Six month matured, it contains 32% sultanas, 10% cider, 6% raisins, candied orange and lemon peel, 2% rum, spices and orange oil.
Super fruity but not too boozy, sweet or sugary, this pudding had a nice texture and it looked really pretty when I turned it onto the plate, glistening on top. You could taste the candied peel gave it a bit of a bite without it being too overpowering. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
Morrisons Christmas pudding Tesco Christmas Pudding Tesco Christmas Pudding costs £3.25 for 400g. Six months matured, it contains raisins and sultanas (no percentage listed), 10% cider, 3% brandy, single cream, candied citrus peel, treacle, orange peel, juice and oil.
You cook it for two minutes and 30 seconds in a 900W microwave, then leave it to stand for a minute. Despite being matured for six months, the flavour seemed pretty bland and too orangey for my liking. I couldn't really taste the brandy or cider and the fruit wasn't really very juicy.
Being a bit stodgy, it needed plenty of custard. Disappointing. I gave it 2 out of 5 stars.
Overall verdict Whilst most of the puddings warned that they may contain nuts, none of them were particularly nutty, which I preferred. We enjoyed the puds from Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury's but there's only one I'll be buying again to serve on Christmas Day. And that was from Aldi as it tasted the best and was the cheapest too.
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