To create its distinctive texture and flavor, black pudding combines the blood with:
Animal fat (often pork back fat or suet)
Grains such as barley, oatmeal, or wheat
These ingredients not only bind the pudding but also create its hearty, meaty consistency. The grains soak up the fat and blood, giving each slice a firm yet tender bite.
🌿 Flavor Boost: Herbs and Spices
Black pudding isn’t just rich and savory—it’s also surprisingly complex in flavor. Traditional recipes often include a blend of aromatic herbs and spices such as:
Nutmeg
Cloves
Pennyroyal (less common today due to safety concerns)
Thyme
White pepper
These spices balance the richness of the blood and fat with a fragrant, warming depth. In fact, regional variations of black pudding often differ most in their seasoning profiles.
🌭 Encased in Tradition: The Natural Casing
