What do people sometimes eat the traditional Japanese Christmas cake?
In Japan, Christmas cake is traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve. The cake is simply a sponge cake, frosted with whipped cream, often decorated with strawberries, and usually topped with Christmas chocolates or other seasonal fruits, and a Santa Claus decoration.
Why does Japan eat Christmas cake?
It’s a beloved December-time treat on the island nation — and not just because it’s delicious. In fact, Christmas cake is now a symbol of commercialism and prosperity, its story intertwined with Japan’s rise from ruins after its defeat in World War II.
What is the name of the Christmas cake?
Although, fruitcake isn’t very popular in the U.S., other culture’s traditional Christmas cakes are commonly some variation of fruitcake. Christmas cake is actually the name for fruitcake eaten in the United Kingdom during the holidays.
What is the best alcohol to put in a Christmas cake?
Strong, flavourful spirits with a high ABV are ideal for feeding fruitcakes. You can use rum, brandy or whisky for spice, or if you like citrus flavours, try an orange liqueur. Cherry brandy and amaretto will also work well if you prefer these.
Why is cake given during Christmas?
Christmas cake is an English tradition that began as plum porridge. People ate the porridge on Christmas Eve, using it to line their stomachs after a day of fasting. For Christmas, they made a similar cake using seasonal dried fruit and spices. The spices represented the exotic eastern spices brought by the Wise Men.
Why do we use plum cake for Christmas?
The story of plum cakes started in medieval England, where it was a popular tradition to observe a period of fasting and abstinence from any kind of feasting in the weeks leading to Christmas. The fasting and abstinence would hold you in good stead for the indulgent days ahead.
Which alcohol is best for plum cake?
Alcohol in Plum Cakes Traditionally plum cakes were made by soaking dried fruits and nuts in homemade wine. But I prefer using good quality dark rum. The soaking process adds flavor, softens the nuts and plumps up the fruit.
What is the difference between fruit cake and plum cake?
The term “plum cake” and “fruit cake” have become interchangeable. Since dried fruit is used as a sweetening agent and any dried fruit used to be described as “plums”, many plum cakes and plum puddings do not contain the plum fruit now known by that name.
When should you eat a Christmas cake?
“On Christmas Eve one Yule cake is given to each member of the family, along with a piece of Christmas cheese. As a rule, part of it is left for Christmas morning, and eaten at the breakfast.”
What alcohol do you soak fruit in for Christmas cake?
The one and only trick is to keep the fruits moist and juicy before baking. For that fruits need to be soaked in alcohol (preferable brandy; rum. sherry also works well) properly for 1 month or upto a year.
How long do you soak fruit in alcohol for Christmas cake?
To cut the sweetness and add amazing flavor, we’ll soak the dried fruit mixture in dark rum the day before baking. Note: I recommend soaking the fruit for a minimum of 12 hours or as long as 24 hours. The dried fruit will hydrate and plump up and soak up all of the dark rum during this time. Don’t skip this step!
How long can you leave fruit in alcohol?
As a general rule of thumb, 3-5 days is the perfect amount for most infusions. And don’t worry – even if you’re using fresh fruit, you don’t have to worry about anything going bad. The alcohol prevents any mold from growing on the fruit, so even after you strain it, you can keep it for years.
Does fruit spoil in alcohol?
They will begin to lose their bright color and some flavor after one year but they will not “go bad” because the alcohol is the preservative. I usually have no problem using them up within one year.
Can you leave fruit in vodka?
Add the infusion ingredients to your jar, fill with vodka, and cover tightly. Store on the countertop for anywhere from 3-7 days. The alcohol will preserve any fruits or veggies that should typically be stored in the fridge. Taste it periodically to assess whether it’s flavored enough for your liking.