Celebrated on August 9th, National Rice Pudding Day is a holiday that is used to celebrate a dessert that’s considered to be very basic but is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. Rice pudding is a dish that can be served as a dessert, or it can be served as a breakfast dish, or even a side dish to a savory main course. Regardless of how you serve it, or whether you make it savory or sweet, rice pudding is a dish that we feel more people should appreciate.

The History of Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is a dish that goes all the way back to the Middle Ages. It was a dish that started in the kitchens of kings and queens and was once considered to be a dish that could only be consumed by royalty. The first examples of rice pudding started during the end of the 14th century and more closely resembled risotto than they do the modern dessert rice puddings of today. This recipe was called “Forme of Cury” and was made with rice as a base ingredient and was flavored with broth, saffron, and almond milk. It’s this rice pottage that would form the basis of rice pudding.

It wouldn’t be until the 15th century that someone would add sugar and honey to “Forme of Cury” to create a sweet rice pudding. Over time, the recipe began to become more complex until it had become more like modern rice pudding during the 17th century. This pudding was made with suet, eggs, cinnamon, currants, and sugar. It was then stuffed into sausage skins and served that way to guests. Since rice was still expensive at this point in time, rice pudding was still very much a dish only enjoyed by royalty.

It wouldn’t be until the 18th century that falling rice prices put this dish on the menus of those other than the rich. It eventually became a very common dish for the masses to eat, and as a result, it began to fall out of favor with the upper classes of society. By the time the 20th century rolled around, rice was so cheap that it could be a staple in schools and hospitals throughout Europe and the U.S. This is when rice pudding really began to become popular.

Observing National Rice Pudding Day

National Rice Pudding Day is a holiday that can be observed by enjoying a nice plate of rice pudding. There are a variety of different rice pudding recipes out there, so choose one that you think you’ll enjoy and make it. While you’re enjoying rice pudding on this holiday, go ahead and use the hashtag #NationalRicePuddingDay to spread the word about this holiday.