Tastes of the Season!
Iconic Christmas foods that bring holiday cheer
Christmas is not only a season of joy, it’s also a time for indulging in delicious festive foods. Every culture has its own traditional Christmas dishes, each carrying the essence of the season and often steeped in family customs that represent the spirit of celebration.
From savoury delights to sweet treats, let’s take a journey through some of the most beloved seasonal food that make Christmas feasts a truly special occasion.
ROAST TURKEY No Christmas feast is complete without a perfectly roasted turkey. This tradition dates back to the 16th century in England where it replaced the traditional goose as the centrepiece of the Christmas table. Americans often stuff the turkey with a savoury blend of breadcrumbs, herbs and sometimes sausage or nuts, making it a hearty dish for a large gathering.
CHRISTMAS CAKE This is a true labour of love, as it often requires weeks or even months of preparation. It’s typically made with dried fruits such as raisins, currants, sultanas and candied peel, which are soaked in rum or brandy for several weeks before baking. After baking, many Christmas cakes are aged for weeks to allow the flavours to meld and intensify. A distinguishing feature of the Christmas cake is its decorative finish when it is covered with a layer of marzipan.
DUTCH BREUDHER This rich, yeasty cake has a long history among the Dutch Burgher communities in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The traditional Christmas bread is thought to have Dutch origins hailing from the colonial era when the Dutch East India Company introduced European baking techniques. Over time, breudher became a staple of Christmas festivities in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, breudher includes ingredients such as raisins or sultanas, nutmeg, cardamom and a hint of citrus zest. It’s typically baked in a ring or bundt-shaped mould to give it a festive appearance. Breudher is often enjoyed warm, sliced, and slathered with butter and cheese.
MULLED WINE Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the warmth of festive drinks. Mulled wine is a favourite in Europe. This spicy and aromatic beverage is made by simmering red wine with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, orange slices and sugar. The result is a comforting drink that warms you from the inside out and it’s perfect for cold winter nights.
EGGNOG Another classic Christmas drink is eggnog, particularly in the US, Canada and some countries in Europe. This creamy beverage is made with milk, cream, sugar, eggs and a hint of nutmeg. And often, a dash of brandy, rum or whiskey is added to give it a little kick.