BeFunky DesignHere are today’s five thing to know about Butterscotch Pudding:

  1. Food historians have several theories regarding the name and origin of this confectionery, but none are conclusive. One explanation is the meaning “to cut or score” for the word “scotch”, as the confection must be cut into pieces, or “scotched”, before hardening. It is also possible that the “scotch” part of its name was derived from the word “scorch”.
  2. In 1855 F. K. Robinson’s Glossary of Yorkshire Words, explained Butterscot as “a treacle ball with an amalgamation of butter in it”.
  3. “Doncaster Butterscotch” was known at least as early as 1848 and sold commercially by rival confectioners S. Parkinson & Sons (still trading as Parkinson’s), Henry Hall, and Booth’s, all of Doncaster, via agents in Yorkshire. Internationally, Parkinson’s was recognised as the inventor but others tried to claim the product for themselves, Parkinson’s started to use and advertise the Doncaster Church as their trademark.
  4. It was advertised as “Royal Doncaster Butterscotch”, or “The Queen’s Sweetmeat”, and said to be “the best emollient for the chest in the winter season”. Parkinson’s Butterscotch was by appointment to the Royal household and was presented to the Queen in 1948 and to Princess Anne, The Princess Royal in 2007. Doncaster Butterscotch is still sold today by Parkinson’s.
  5. The term butterscotch is also often used for the flavour of brown sugar and butter together even where actual confection butterscotch is not involved, e.g. butterscotch pudding.

Today’s Food History

  • 1783 The Montgolfier brothers successfully sent up some live animals in a hot air balloon, including a sheep and a rooster.
  • 1839 George Cadbury was born. He took over his father’s chocolate business and built it into a major chocolate manufacturer.
  • 1851 William Hesketh Lever, first Viscount Leverhulme, was born. British entrepreneur who founded Lever Brothers, the soap and detergent manufacturer.
  • 1876 Melville Bissell patented the carpet sweeper.
  • 1911 English author William Golding was born. His first novel was ‘Lord of the Flies’ (1954).
  • 1941 Mama Cass Elliot, singer (The Mamas and the Papas) was born. The rumor that she choked to death on a ham sandwich in 1974 is not true. She actually died of a heart attack.
  • 1949 Lesley Hornsby, aka ‘Twiggy’ was born. Not exactly a poster girl for French Haute Cuisine!
  • 1960 ‘The Twist’ by Chubby Checker reached Number 1 on the charts. Great music to exercise to.
  • 1975 The first episode of ‘Fawlty Towers’ premiered.
  • 1995 Orville Redenbacher of popcorn fame died.