Christmas Pudding

[littleone85]

Why do we set fire to Christmas Pudding?

[rja211077]

a) to burn off the alcohol from the spirits, thus taking away the harshness whilst leaving the flavours

b) cos it looks good?

[redcrx]

cos it tastes horrible and cremation is best thing for it? :)

[crete]

to heat the house because we cant afford the heating bills at this time of year,

[devilwoman]

i dont burn it, i just eat it. i dont put any sixpences in it either.

[campari]

I asked this question and NICMO gave me this answer on 12/11/06

Comes from a very old 'game' of raisins in flaming brandy being presented at a table, the idea being to eat them while on fire more info can be found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snap-dragon_%28ga me%29

As Victorian era progressed the plum pudding was used as a base for a flaming raisin - hence the burning pudding

[chinois]

To burn the alcohol off, like when using most alcoholic drinks in cooking.