What People Eat at Christmas
Sweet Traditions from Families Around the World
Christmas is coming: homes are adorned with decorations, family members come together, and tables are filled with food. Children’s laughter and poems, the opening of presents and the warmth of lit logs contribute to the magical and unique atmosphere.
Among the stars of the Christmas table are desserts – essential elements that enrich the holidays with unique flavours and centuries-old traditions. But what are the most common Christmas desserts in various countries around the world? How do culinary traditions differ from continent to continent – from America to Africa, Asia to Oceania, and Europe?
Before embarking on this journey of flavours, it’s worth noting that Christmas culinary traditions heavily depend on the context in which people live. Each table tells a different story: some celebrate with sumptuous meals, while others prefer simple dishes; some faithfully follow recipes passed down through generations, while others experiment with new flavours. The economy, family habits, and the link with the territory profoundly influence what one brings to the table at Christmas.
Here are some examples from the main countries:
Europe
In Europe, every country has its own Christmas dessert traditions, often varying even from region to region.
In Italy, panettone is a unifying presence from North to South. This soft, leavened cake is enjoyed in many versions, from the classic with raisins and candied fruit to the more modern ones filled with chocolate, pistachio or lemon cream.
In France and Belgium, the undisputed star is the Bûche de Noël, a Christmas log made of rolled sponge cake filled with buttercream or jam and covered with a rich chocolate ganache.
South Africa
In South Africa, where Christmas is celebrated during the height of the summer season, the desserts reflect the warm season. One of the favourites is Malva Pudding, a soft, caramelised dessert served with warm cream sauce. This simple but richly flavoured dessert is perfect to end a meal in the summer sun.
Oceania: Australia and New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, the quintessential Christmas dessert is the Pavlova, a spectacular meringue cake that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Pavlova is garnished with whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruit, such as strawberries, kiwi and mango, making it a light and perfect dessert for summer festivities.
Latin America
In Mexico, buñuelos are the most common Christmas treat. These fried pastries are made with a simple dough of flour, eggs, water, salt, and lard, left to rest, rolled out, and shaped. After frying, they are sprinkled with sugar or dipped in piloncillo syrup, a typical local molasses.
In Argentina, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without alfajores—delicate cookies sandwiched with dulce de leche (a creamy milk caramel) and coated in chocolate or dusted with powdered sugar. With their enveloping sweetness, alfajores are perfect for celebrating the holidays.
North America
In the United States, pumpkin pie is a staple on Christmas tables, much like during Thanksgiving. This pie is made with pumpkin purée flavoured with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, all encased in a flaky pastry crust. It’s a simple dessert, full of flavour, and perfect for the winter holidays.
Asia
In Japan, a country known for its rich culinary culture, the Christmas Cake takes center stage during the festive season. This dessert is a sponge cake layered with whipped cream and strawberries, and also topped with whipped cream and strawberries. It is further adorned with Christmas decorations made of chocolate, sugar, or marzipan.
In conclusion, Christmas remains the most magical time of the year, which unites most of the countries of the world and reflects the unique culinary traditions of each nation.
