When Christmastime rolls around each year, many families will be interested in finding out where this happy tradition came from.
Turkey is one of the most iconic features of a Christmas dinner. For many families, it simply isn’t a Christmas dinner without a turkey. However, not many people know the history of this tradition or why turkeys are the most popular dish on Christmas Day rather than geese, chicken, or beef.
Although turkeys aren’t native to the UK, they have been eaten in Britain for hundreds of years. Turkeys were brought into the UK in the early 16th century, and Henry VIII is credited as being the first British king to eat turkey on Christmas Day. However, it took over 400 years for the turkey to become the most popular festive focal point in the UK, moving from a luxury, niche item.
Turkey’s modern popularity is often a source of stress. Although a huge roast turkey is something of a showstopper, they are infamously difficult to cook. Turkeys are difficult to cook through without drying out, in part because of their massive size and in part because of generations of careful breeding. Many families choose to purchase a turkey crown because it is smaller and easier to cook more evenly than a full turkey. However, turkey crowns are even more expensive than turkeys. The popularity of turkey in Britain and the number of people who make sure to have turkey on their Christmas table are demonstrated by the fact that consumers are willing to pay twice as much per kilogram for a turkey crown as they would for a whole turkey.
Unveiling the Origins of a Beloved Tradition
Christmas, a time for joy, family, and of course, a delectable feast. However, have you ever wondered why turkey commands a prominent place on our Christmas tables? Come along as we explore the rich history of this cherished custom, learning about its inception, development, and cultural significance.
From Aztec Delicacy to Royal Feast: The Turkey’s Journey
Contrary to popular belief, turkeys aren’t native to Turkey; they hail from the Americas. Domesticated by the Aztecs over 2,000 years ago, these majestic birds were not just a source of food but also held spiritual significance. Fast forward to the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors introduced turkeys to Europe, where they quickly gained popularity among the nobility.
King Henry VIII: The Turkey’s Royal Champion
It is believed that King Henry VIII of England introduced turkey to the Christmas table. According to legend, the king, who was well-known for his ostentatious preferences, chose to replace his customary Christmas goose with a turkey. This royal endorsement paved the way for turkey’s gradual rise to festive fame.
The Victorian Era: The Turkey’s Golden Age
The Victorian era witnessed the turkey’s transformation into a Christmas staple. Queen Victoria, a trendsetter of her time, embraced the turkey as the centerpiece of her Christmas feast. This royal seal of approval, coupled with the growing popularity of Christmas cards and traditions, cemented the turkey’s place in our festive celebrations
From Goose Clubs to Modern-Day Feasts: The Evolution of Turkey Consumption
In the past not everyone could afford a turkey. Goose clubs popular in Victorian England, allowed people to save up for their Christmas bird. Today, thanks to advancements in farming and refrigeration, turkeys are readily available and affordable, making them accessible to all.
Beyond the Bird: A Feast for the Senses
The Christmas turkey is more than just a delicious meal; it’s a symbol of family, togetherness, and festive cheer. The aroma of roasted turkey fills our homes with warmth, while the sight of a beautifully presented bird evokes a sense of occasion. The act of carving and sharing the turkey becomes a ritual, bringing families and friends closer.
The Future of the Festive Feast: A Changing Landscape
While turkey remains a Christmas favorite, modern trends suggest a shift in preferences. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are gaining popularity, catering to evolving dietary choices and ethical considerations. Additionally, smaller turkey crowns or boneless breasts are becoming increasingly popular, offering convenience and flexibility for smaller gatherings.
The tradition of eating turkey on Christmas has evolved over centuries, reflecting cultural shifts, technological advancements, and changing tastes. From its humble beginnings in the Americas to its royal endorsement in England, the turkey has become an integral part of our Christmas celebrations. Whether roasted, grilled, or served with all the trimmings, the Christmas turkey continues to be a symbol of festive joy, bringing families and friends together around the table to share a delicious and memorable meal.
Where do turkeys come from?
Turkeys, it may not surprise you to hear, are not native to the UK. According to the Chronicle of the Kings of England, they arrived in the United Kingdom at the start of the sixteenth century, around 1524. The birds were purchased by British merchants from native Mexicans who had spent many years domesticating them from the wild species. Spanish conquistadors brought the birds back from Mexico. The Norfolk Black turkey breed is thought to be directly descended from this early turkey breed. The Norfolk Black was eventually introduced to the Americas by European colonists following over 200 years of breeding in the United Kingdom. However, the breed’s popularity has steadily declined, and it is now relatively rare in the UK and the USA. Although turkey was very expensive in the sixteenth century, eating turkey at Christmas became more and more common as turkey farms sprang up all over the UK. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that turkey emerged as a mainstay of Christmas dinners for families in the UK.
What did we eat before turkey on Christmas day?
The cuisine of Christmas was essentially the same as that of other feasts and festivities for a significant portion of British history. Medieval monks would celebrate by indulging in pricey and uncommon spices to flavor their pies, seafood, and offal. Before the arrival of turkey, boar was a particularly popular option. In England, stuffed boar’s heads were used as Christmas centerpieces from the Middle Ages until the Tudor era. Pottage, a thick stew, was served in trenchers by wealthy households during the Middle Ages on holidays like Christmas. A trencher was a stale loaf of bread that was hollowed out and filled with pottage or other hearty stews.
After the turkey was introduced to the UK it grew in popularity as a Christmas meat. Turkey was almost as popular as goose by the Georgian era, and it was regularly consumed at Christmas. However, it wasn’t until the Victorian era that turkey truly began to overtake other meats as the most popular Christmas dish. In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Scrooge is known for pleading with a poor homeless child to help him buy Bob Cratchit, also known as “the prize turkey,” which is on display in the butcher’s window. Cassell’s Dictionary of Cookery, published in 1883, states that “the turkey is highly esteemed and usually commands a high price, especially at Christmas when most extravagant prices are often demanded and obtained for large, well-fed birds.” Additionally, turkeys were used to make “Christmas Pie,” a complex dish that gained popularity during the Georgian era. A pigeon was stuffed inside a chicken, which was then stuffed inside a turkey, which was stuffed inside a goose, in this elaborate meal. This ‘turducken’ style pie remained popular well into the Victorian era.
Why do we eat turkey for Christmas (and Thanksgiving)? | Episode 8 | BBC Ideas
FAQ
Why turkey is a symbol for Christmas?
Why is turkey only sold at Christmas?
What is the fact about turkey at Christmas?
Why is turkey the holiday meal?
Why do people eat turkey on Christmas Day?
The long-standing tradition explained Turkey is one of the most iconic features of a Christmas dinner. For many families, it simply isn’t a Christmas dinner without a turkey. However, most people don’t know where this tradition started, or why it is that turkeys – rather than goose, chicken or beef – are the most popular option on Christmas Day.
When did Turkey become a popular Christmas meal?
Throughout the 1500s-1800s, turkey slowly became a more and more popular Christmas meal in wealthier British households, with the British royal family even switching to turkey in the 1850s (replacing their traditional choice of roasted swan).
Do people eat turkey on Christmas Day in the UK?
Although turkey is seen as synonymous with Christmas, it is actually less common in the UK than you might expect. A recent YouGov poll found that only half of respondents typically ate turkey on Christmas day – that’s fewer than the number who ate sprouts. Turkey was most popular in the midlands and Wales, and least popular in London.
Why do people eat turkey?
For centuries the turkey was the preserve of the well-to-do and middle classes and it was only after the Second World War, when it became cheaper to rear, that the turkey became the population’s Christmas bird of choice. They’re also the food of choice for Thanksgiving dinners in the USA. What was eaten before turkey?