# What is blood pudding? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 17, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566 "2003-02-17T03:47:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/1 "2003-02-17T03:47:28Z")
Or to put it another way… Why do only Americans call the thing that only Britons eat - blood pudding when Britons call it Black Pudding? Why did someone go to the trouble of coming up with a different name for something that already had a name and which they were not likely to adopt (widely) as a foodstuff) (assuming that is how it happened. For all I know it could have been us Brits that changed the name, while Americans kept the old name) ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/2 "2003-02-17T03:58:27Z")
Black Pudding is something I have never tried, but it sounds absolutely disgusting. To think people eat it for breakfast - I think I would throw up. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/3 "2003-02-17T03:58:35Z")
So that naive Americans won’t accidentally eat something as horrid as Blood Pudding. Not that Black Pudding sounds any more appetizing, but you can never be to careful, and we Yanks not only like to call a spade a spade, sometimes we call it a goddamn shovel, just for good measure. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/4 "2003-02-17T04:00:09Z")
“What is blood pudding?” Too damn hard to find in the US–that’s what it is. My only exposure to this delicacy was at a restaurant in–of all places–an Argentine restaurant in Miami Beach (Las Vacas Gordas), which also served sweetbreads and chitlins. I can’t answer your question, though. But I started salivating when I read it. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/5 "2003-02-17T04:05:36Z")
The OED first cites it as > [@](#): > > 1583 PLAT Divers new Exper. (1594) 13 Boile this bloud…until it come to the nature and shape of a \*bloudpudding. This is not a quote from 'Merika. In all fairness, the OED also cites “black pudding” equally as early: > [@](#): > > A kind of sausage made of blood and suet, sometimes with the addition of flour or meal. . > > 1568 U. FULWELL Like to like Bj, Who comes yonder puffing as whot as a black pudding. Blame it on America!🙂 ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/6 "2003-02-17T04:06:45Z")
An Argentine restaurant? Actually that figures. The Argentinians will eat anything meat based. They are serious about their meat - especially steaks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/7 "2003-02-17T04:14:11Z")
It’s not just English. In Europe it is blutwurst or blood sausage. Down south it’s boudin des branches. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/8 "2003-02-17T04:15:41Z")
I guess it’s like marmite in that you can love it or hate it. As a youngster I too was put off by the idea of eating solidified blood. Until the day I nibbled a bit that my mum had left on her plate. I loved it. Although I have never successfully managed to cook it myself. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/9 "2003-02-17T04:16:53Z")
I guess us Black-pudding lovers are closet-vampires. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/10 "2003-02-17T04:24:41Z")
[Mangia: Blood Pudding](http://www.cimorelli.com/pie/mangia/bloodpud.htm) > [@](#): > > This pudding was made when the hogs were slaughtered on the farm. > Although this may sound strange to us today, “Blood Pudding” was a common dish during the earlier part of this century. When a hog was slaughtered, nothing went to waste. [Food Network: Blood Sausage/ Blood Pudding/Black Pudding](http://www.foodtv.com/terms/tt-r2/0,4474,451,00.html) > [@](#): > > Also known as blood pudding and in Ireland as black pudding, this large link sausage is made of pig’s blood, suet, bread crumbs and oatmeal. Almost black in color, blood sausage is generally sold precooked. It’s traditionally sautéed and served with mashed potatoes. [Black Pudding Links](http://www.g4cio.demon.co.uk/bpudding/pudding.htm) > [@](#): > > Black Pudding, one of the great creations of civilised society, is essentially congealed pig’s blood in a length of intestine. There are many variations; in England, the pudding is usually bound with rusk and has bits of fat in it. The French have their boudin noir with nowt but blood in the casing, the Germans blotwürst, the Spanish morcilla which is often bound with rice. Can there be a finer sight in a shop window than a freshly cooked black pudding, still steaming slightly, looking like… er… a slimy coil of warm intestine filled with congealed blood? Seems to be a pretty common dish in Western Europe. The English call it “black,” the French have a separate name for it, but modify that name with “black” (although the Cajun recipes call it _boudin de Pays_ instead of _boudin noir_, and the Germans call it “blood.” (I have no idea what the etymology of the Spanish word might be as it does not appear to be related to blood, pudding, or sausage.) It is possible that Blood Pudding got its first dispersion in the States among the Pennsylvania Dutch (German immigrants noted for their meat dishes) and the word was anglicized from there. (Pure WAG. I have not yet found an etymology.) Around Cleveland, (some German, lots of Balkan immigrants) I have usually seen it called Blood Sausage rather than Blood Pudding, but our local butcher was a German immigrant, and his usage may be overlaying any memories I have of other names. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/11 "2003-02-17T04:25:55Z")
Allright **Lobsang** you said earlier that you were hungry… and you’re from the UK…hmmm is that what you had for supper then? Come on now, you know what blood pudding is, come on 'fess up! You damned vampire…😃 Black Pudding (Blood Pudding) 1 qt. Pig’s blood 3/4 lb. bread crumbs 1/2 lb. suet Salt and pepper, to taste 1 qt. milk 1 c. cooked barley 1 c. dry oatmeal 1 oz. powdered mint Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, pour into a large pan and bring to a boil. Pour in a wide shallow bowl and season again if necessary. When cold it may be cut into slices and fried. Sounds good, huh? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/12 "2003-02-17T04:26:46Z")
How did I miss **samclem** ’s post? Well, scrap my WAG. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/13 "2003-02-17T04:28:22Z")
Darn…a little slow on my posts tonight it seems.☹ ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/14 "2003-02-17T04:29:44Z")
u2 tom… ---
**Author:** ![hammerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hammerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hammerbach)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/15 "2003-02-17T05:47:17Z")
Just so you know… It’s available here in Maine at the supermarket. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/16 "2003-02-17T05:58:24Z")
And some people thing I’m gross in my enjoyment of scrapple, hog maw, and tripe. What ever happened to Campbells Pepper Pot soup? Yes, I know it had tripe in it, but it was yummy! Darn. I grew up with that, and wanted to introduce my daughter to it, yet it is not to be found! Darn again!. DWC sulks in corner at loss of favorite soup ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/17 "2003-02-17T06:02:32Z")
[bart] “The secret ingredient is blood” [/bart] ---
**Author:** ![heynow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f04885/32.png) [@heynow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heynow)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/18 "2003-02-17T06:09:25Z")
ate it at an irish pub in dubai. it looks innocuous… i expected pools of blood around some jelly-like thingy, but it was er… black. and had flavour, unlike most of the other Brit/ irish food!! tell me, does any religion expressly ban the consumption of blood? cooked or otherwise? - just curious ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/19 "2003-02-17T06:18:00Z")
Welcome to the Boards **heynow**! ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566/20 "2003-02-17T06:28:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by t-keela \* > \*\*Allright **Lobsang** you said earlier that you were hungry… > > and you’re from the UK…hmmm is that what you had for supper then? Come on now, you know what blood pudding is, come on 'fess up! You damned vampire…😃 > > Black Pudding (Blood Pudding) > 1 qt. Pig’s blood > 3/4 lb. bread crumbs > 1/2 lb. suet > Salt and pepper, to taste > 1 qt. milk > 1 c. cooked barley > 1 c. dry oatmeal > 1 oz. powdered mint > Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, pour into a large pan and bring to a boil. Pour in a wide shallow bowl and season again if necessary. When cold it may be cut into slices and fried. > > Sounds good, huh? \*\* How about congealed and partially burnt blood with fat mixed in with flour and water? I love gravy. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-blood-pudding/155566.md?page=2)