Rice pudding, kheer, payesh, muhalabia, arroz con leche — whatever you call it — this indulgent, creamy dessert, has been around in many forms, and in many countries, for over 8,000 years. Traditionally made with rice, sugar, and some form of milk, rice pudding has stood the test of time.
Travel with us from ancient Rome to China and from Indian temples to the Middle East. Stop to take in some of the variations youll find in rice pudding recipes worldwide. From its roots as an offering to Hindu deities and as medicine for the sick to its popularity with the rich for celebrations such as weddings, rice pudding certainly has a diverse and interesting history. Well dive deep into its global origins, with stories surrounding its roots from around the world.
Then well take a look at some of the wonderful recipes for rice pudding that exist today, from Perus arroz zambito to Frances riz au lait, and Germanys milchreis (with its special rice) to Mexicos arroz con leche, made with condensed milk. Finally, well decide whether homemade rice pudding or store-bought is best and look at some of the best readymade brands to try when you simply dont have time to whip up your own rice pudding at home.
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.
The global origins of rice pudding
People from the U.K. will tell you rice pudding was first invented there. Yet speak to any Indian person and theyll tell you its an authentic Indian dish. People from China, Greece, Italy, and Mexico will tell you the same thing. Germans will swear that they invented the first rice pudding.
Though we may never really know exactly where rice pudding first originated, from what we do know, it has its roots in India and China many thousands of years ago. Its thought to have come to Europe around the 14th century. However, it was around even earlier as a type of rice pottage used medicinally for stomach upsets in Roman times.
Rice puddings origins are a mystery that may never be solved, but there are many interesting stories from around the world surrounding its history. Lets dive into some of the most fascinating legends, starting with the tale of rice pudding and a Hindu deity in India, and stopping off in the Middle East, where it was once used medicinally, before traveling to China for a story about rice pudding and Emperor Zhou.
Rice pudding for special occasions
With the cost of importing rice sky-high, rice pudding remained a luxury in Europe for some time. But this dish wasnt always an indulgent sweet treat.
Throughout the Middle Ages, rice pudding was more commonly served as a savory side dish, similar in style to risotto. One recipe in Englands oldest surviving cookbook, “The Forme of Cury,” dating back to the 1390s, uses saffron, almond milk, and salty meat broth.
By the 15th century, sweet versions of rice pudding began to emerge. Most used suet to hold the pudding together, stuffing it into skins for boiling. Ingredients included sugar and honey, with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and mace, and fruit such as currants or dates. Many recipes also added eggs, which gave the boiled pudding a rich flavor. It wasnt until the 17th and 18th centuries that rice pudding became a common dessert in the U.K. Even then, it was still only served at celebratory occasions such as weddings or to mark special holidays.
Classic rice pudding – Mary Berry Everyday: Episode 5 Preview – BBC Two
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