Hogmanay will be celebrated all over the country today, and although it's not a holiday commonly associated with food, there are several dishes that are associated with the celebrations.
One of the most interesting ones is the black bun. Traditionally, it's served in the form of loaves, though it can also be prepared in the form of a tart or pie. It's a dense and tasty treat and goes down well with whisky.
Also referred to as a Scotch bun, it is a type of fruit cake dating back to the 16th century. It was originally consumed on Twelfth Night after being introduced following the return of Mary, Queen of Scots from France.
As the Twelve Days of Christmas drew to a close, part of the celebrations would include hiding a bean or charm inside a black bun. Whoever found it in their portion would be declared king for the evening — a game Mary herself is believed to have participated in.
However, when Christmas was banned in Scotland for nearly 400 years, many of its traditions were transferred over to Hogmanay instead. This included the eating of black buns.
Since then, they have been an integral part of Hogmanay celebrations. They are even a part of the centuries-old tradition of first footing in which the first guest to cross a household's threshold after midnight would bring one with them as a sign of good luck.
The cake itself is somewhat similar to a standard Christmas cake, and includes ingredients like raisins, currants, and spices such as cinnamon, black pepper and allspice. What sets it apart is the fact that, it is encased in a layer of pastry rather than icing.
If reading this has put you in the mood to whip up your own black bun in time for Hogmanay today, you are out of luck as they need to be prepared weeks in advance so that they have time to mature. If you're lucky enough to pick one up from a bakers, though, you're in for a treat.
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