National Rice Pudding Day

The story

Rice pudding is commonly enjoyed as a sweet dessert, but early versions were actually savory. Many believe rice pudding originated in ancient China or India, where rice and sugar played key roles in religious and cultural traditions.

In India, a version called kheer was recorded as early as 6000 B.C., though it originally used sorghum instead of rice. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern and European rice puddings emerged in the 1300s, when rice was a luxury imported from Asia.

Before the 1500s, European rice pudding was savory, cooked with broth, saffron, and almond milk. Sugar was later added, transforming it into the sweet dish we know today. By the 18th century, rice became more affordable, making rice pudding accessible to all.

Rice pudding takes many forms worldwide. Spain’s arroz con leche features cinnamon and lemon zest, while Iran’s firni blends pistachios and cardamom. In the U.S., it’s often made with milk, sugar, cinnamon, and raisins.