Christmas Quiz!

1. In the Middle Ages, people ate boar’s or pig’s head smothered in mustard on Christmas Day. Which British city is famously associated with this hot condiment?

2. Despite attempts to revive its popularity as a retro food, corned beef has fallen out of favour. What does ‘corned’ mean?

3. Who served up figgy pudding in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol?

4. The almond is neither a nut nor a legume, botanically speaking. What is it?

5. Which is the odd one out: mint, rosemary or tarragon, and why?

6. Which Christmas dish developed from ‘frumenty’, a thick porridge of cereal, dried fruit and spices?

7. In Hungary, turkey does not feature on the Christmas menu. Which creature usually does?

8. A horse’s neck is not a cut of the four-legged beast, but a drink. What are its two main constituents?

9. Traditionally, mincemeat should only be stirred in one direction. Which is it and why?

10. What should you eat one of for each of the 12 days of Christmas if you want good luck?

11. Turkeys in Victorian England were walked to market from Norfolk to London. What were they said to be wearing for the journey?

12. What is the name of the German yeast cake often served at Christmas?

13. The Spanish see in the New Year by swallowing what on each of the 12 chimes at midnight?

14. Beeswing is the term for the crackled translucent crust that forms on old bottles of which popular Christmas tipple?

15. What traditional food do the Portuguese eat with boiled vegetables on Christmas Eve?

16. Which 17th-century spoilsport made mince pies illegal?

17. The name of which spice comes from the Latin word for nail?

18. Chocolate contains cocoa solids and cocoa butter. What are they collectively known as before they are separated?

19.  In the UK, what is a baron of beef?

20. Dates, clams, sweet potatoes and bananas: which have the most potassium per 100g?

21. Which country is the largest producer of olive oil?

22. If you’re lucky you’ll have some chocolate in your stocking but, to within 10 years, when did the first ‘chocolate house’ open in England?

23. Most wines and many beers are not suitable for vegetarians. Why not?

24. What is the powerful Scandinavian spirit made from potatoes or grain?

25. What indispensable item for the Christmas table did Tom Smith, a confectioner, invent in 1846?

26. How have cherries been cooked if they are served ‘jubilee’

27. What famous fiery sauce is made on Avery Island in Louisiana, US?

28. What type of flower does the vanilla pod come from?

29. Dublin is home to arguably the most famous stout of all – Guinness. But which two stouts come from Cork? (1 point for each)

30.  In the US, what are prairie oysters a far more appealing name for?

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With lots of love, Sedge xxx