Love it or hate it, rice pudding has been gifted its own national day on August 9th.
National Rice Pudding Day is the opportunity for rice pudding fanatics to celebrate this delicious dessert.
Popular in the kitchens of thousands of people worldwide, rice pudding has become a firm favorite as an after-dinner sweet treat.
It has even found its way into religious and literary culture through the years, featuring in poems, novels, and religious stories.
But regardless of your reasons for loving (or not loving!) this dish, National Rice Pudding Day is your chance to embrace it.
Why not use this annual day to introduce your friends to your favorite pudding or enjoy a solo bowl all to yourself?
History of National Rice Pudding Day
Historians are divided over whether rice pudding originated in China or India.
Both countries value rice as a core staple in their diet, so it’s easy to see how either of them could have invented rice pudding.
In its earliest days, it was reportedly labeled as a rice “porridge” or “pottage” rather than a pudding. The original recipe is almost identical to the one used today for the perfect creamy rice pudding.
With water, milk, or cream, rice is mixed and then heated – either by boiling or baking – resulting in rice pudding.
The Tudor people are also thought to have enjoyed rice pudding and believed it to be helpful for digestive problems. Until the 1800s, rice pudding was considered to have medicinal properties.
Throughout the centuries, it has become such a popular dish that almost every country has embraced it.
In fact, renowned authors such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen even referred to it in some of their most famous novels.
In the world of poetry, rice pudding was given a special place by Winnie the Pooh author A. A. Milne, who wrote a poem entitled Rice Pudding. Published in 1924, it stands among the writer’s most-loved works.
How To Celebrate National Rice Pudding Day
Host a rice pudding party.
Do you know other people who are as crazy about rice pudding as you are? Host a rice pudding party, and either show off your creative skills or invite friends and family to do the same.
If you’re competitive, you know what to do – turn it into a competition!
Share your favorites on social media.
You can share your favorite rice pudding recipes, your own creations, or anything else you love about rice pudding on social media.
National Rice Pudding Day even has its own hashtag, #NationalRicePuddingDay, to help connect you with other fabulous rice pudding photos.
Try rice pudding in a different way.
If you usually stick with one form of eating rice pudding, switch it up for the day and try something new!
You could opt for rice pudding for breakfast or remove the sweetener and make it a side with your evening meal.
National Rice Pudding Day FAQs
How is rice pudding made?
Rice pudding is made in various ways depending on the country and culture. Generally, it is made by mixing rice with milk or cream and adding spices and sweeteners. The mixture is cooked and can then be eaten hot or left to cool down.
What are the most popular rice pudding ingredients?
If you’re looking for rice pudding inspiration, there are many ingredients to choose from. Some of the most popular include dried fruits, nuts, sugar, honey, cinnamon, syrup, and lemon juice.
Are there any rice pudding traditions?
In Sweden, rice pudding is a popular dish at Christmas. An almond is traditionally hidden inside the pudding, with the person who eats it believed to get married the next year.
5 Interesting Facts About Rice Pudding
- On record, the largest serving of rice pudding weighed more than 2,000kg (4,400lb), served in India in May 2015.
- Gautama Buddha’s last meal is believed to have been a bowl of rice pudding made by a girl called Sujata.
- Since the mid-1900s, people in North America have expanded their rice pudding recipes. Instead of taking inspiration from European cultures, there are now more recipes from Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
- Historically some countries would bake rice pudding to make a cake. This is a recipe still followed in some countries, particularly at Christmas.
- In New York, a restaurant opened in 2003 specifically dedicated to all different types of rice pudding.
Rice pudding has a rich heritage and history throughout the world, which is a good enough reason for anyone to give it a try!
August 9th this year is your chance to celebrate all the wonders of rice pudding and the people who have fine-tuned it through the ages.
