| Tapioca pudding | |
| Type: | Pudding |
| Main Ingredient: | Tapioca, milk or cream or coconut milk |
Tapioca pudding is a sweet pudding made with tapioca and either milk or cream. Coconut milk is also used in cases in which the flavor is preferred or in areas in which it is a commonplace ingredient for cooking. It is made in many cultures with equally varying styles and may be produced in a variety of ways.[1] Its consistency ranges from thin (runny), thick, to firm enough to eat with a fork.
The pudding can be made from scratch using tapioca in a variety of forms: flakes, coarse meal, sticks, and pearls. Many commercial packaged mixes are also available.
Ingredients served alongside and put into tapioca pudding have varied over time. An American style of tapioca pudding in the 19th century was known to contain no sugar within the pudding itself but would be served with sugar and cream on the side.[2] By contrast, some recipes that circulated through the British Empire during the 18th century were known to season their tapioca with cinnamon, red wine, and even bone marrow.[3]
A significant reason for tapioca pudding's popularity was the ease of access in acquiring tapioca balls compared to its alternative, sago. Tapioca pearls originate from the harvesting of the cassava plant, which required less labor to harvest and grew faster compared to sago.[4] Tapioca pudding would become a prominent staple of the lunches of school children in western countries such as Britain, Australia, and the United States.
British schoolchildren have traditionally nicknamed the dish frog spawn due to its appearance.[5] The Guardian described it as "Britain's most hated school pudding" with names such as fisheyes, frogspawn, and eyeball pudding. It is, however, making a comeback in the 21st century in Michelin-starred restaurants and less exalted places.[6] In southern India, a type of dessert pudding known as jawhuarusee payasam made from tapioca pearls is made during festival times.
Tapioca pudding was one of the dishes that Rhode Island army officers ate for their Fourth of July celebrations during the siege of Petersburg.[7]
July 15th is recognized as National Tapioca Pudding Day.[8]