The Currency of Christmas Pudding

The introduction of the decimal currency in Australia from 1966 had an unsavoury effect on an age-old tradition of inserting a coin into the Christmas pudding.

Do you remember Grandma leaving a coin in your Christmas pudding for you to find? This is a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. Those who were wealthy enough to afford the ingredients for Christmas pudding would insert a silver coin into the uncooked mixture. If you were lucky enough to get a mouthful of pudding - coin and all - superstition says that you’d have good fortune over the coming year.

The changeover of currency in the 60s also introduced a changeover of minerals used in the coins. The use of nickel meant Christmas pudding lovers could no longer cook their coins and eat it too. As well as turning green once cooked, the nickel had the potential to leave an unsavoury aftertaste of… a toxic substance.

Fortunately, the tradition wasn’t lost. Other tokens were also inserted into the Christmas pudding to surprise and delight its consumer. A tiny wishbone would bring good luck, a silver thimble ensured thrift, and an anchor symbolised safe harbour. Resourceful cooks also figured out to insert the new coins into the Christmas pudding after it was steamed.

I love Christmas pudding, not just for its rich taste, but because of its rich history and its ability to create memorable experiences for family and friends who come together to share it.

To carry on the tradition of inserting tokens into the beloved Christmas pud, we offer specially-made Newcastle Pudding Lady tokens.

Celebrate this Christmas in July the traditional way – with a rich, warming Christmas pudding with the added fun and good luck of some tokens.