A Yuletide treats trivia quiz

As we approach Yule and the other holidays celebrated by many this time of the year it is custom to be tempted by some mighty yummy treats!

This quiz will test your knowledge on the history of treats and other yummies associated with this season. To participate first get out paper and pen or pencil. Next, scroll down to the questions (there are 20 in all) and read each one. For every question there are four possible answers. Make your choice of answer, write it down, then continue to the next question. At the end of the quiz you will find the correct answers and there you may tally up your score. You will also find a poll quiz at the very end of this page. Good luck on the quiz!

1. History indicates that the first batch of fudge was most likely created after someone accidentally botched what?

a. making a marzipan

b. baking a pan of brandy cookies

c. making caramels

d. dipping a cat in hot chocolate to get rid of its fleas

2. The shape of candy canes is supposed to represent what?

a. a shepard’s crook

b. for the staff used by Lata, who according to Bulgarian legend was a blind man who fed the animals in Christ’s manger

c. a modern recreation of an ancient Roman phallic-shaped candy

d. the Cane of the Penguin, nemesis of Batman.

3. The oldest reference to fruitcake dates back to what ancient civilization?

a. Egyptian

b. Roman

c. Greek

d. Hippie

4. American Eggnog was developed from what kind of European drink?

a. Egg soup

b. fermented milk

c. milk and wine punch

d. candied mother’s milk

5. Historians note that modern plum puddings rarely contain what?

a. sugar

b. wine

c. plums

d. children

6. In some southern U.S. states what holiday delicacy is also considered a traditional post-funeral food?

a. green bean casserole

b. angel food cake

c. baked o’possum

d. deep-friend turkey nuggets

7. According to some American traditions leaving a cheese log under your beloved’s bed on Christmas Eve signifies what?

a. your pledge of fidelity

b. you wish to share your prosperity with them

c. you are going on a long journey and pray they will not hunger while you are gone

d. you ran out of better gift ideas at the store

8. The Yuletide favorite, Welsh black cake, is usually served how?

a. buttered and with a cup of tea

b. with carrot glaze and a glass of brandy

c. with tapioca dip and a milk chaser

d. by a nude hostess smothered in whiskey

9. Queen Elizabeth 1 presented gingerbread to guests that were made to look like what?

a. herself

b. the recipient

c. children

d. hanged bankers

10. By tradition the Danish Christmas pudding dish, Ris á l'amande, is prepared with a special prize for one lucky guest to find. What is that special prize?

a. a cherry

b. an almond

c. a gold coin

d. a stripper

11. Sea Foam candy is commonly known by what other name?

a. Essence

b. Rapture

c. Divinity

d. Snowman Nuts

12. Figgy Pudding is basically what?

a. a plum cake made with figs

b. a pork sausage stuffed with figs

c. boiled ripe figs served with a custard sauce

d. what Mrs. Claus finds in Santa’s underwear after a long, bitter night out on the sleigh without bathroom breaks

13. People in the southern U.S. believe eating squirrel on Christmas Day does what?

a. shows their humility to Christ

b. shows one’s affinity for nature

c. helps to digest heavy desserts

d. nothing in particular; squirrel’s just good eating

14. In some parts of the U.S. what kind of ice cream is considered bad luck to eat on Christmas Eve?.

a. Tutti-fruiti

b. chocolate

c. walnut

d. the kind that’s congealed and starting to mold

15. According to Beverage & Lifestyle Magazine what is the world’s most popular Christmas liqueur?

a. Etter Christmas Plum

b. Bavaraian Fasching Chocolate Eggnog

c. Coole Swan Dairy Cream Liqueur

d. Hanover Harlot Cherries and Cream Liqueur

16. In some South American cultures it is traditional to make Santas and “gingerbread” houses out of what alternative food?

a. chili peppers

b. chocolate

c. papaya brick candy

d. saltines

17. “Yule Mist” is a drink made of what?

a. Sprite, vanilla ice cream, hazel extract and vodka

b. Dr. Pepper, egg nog, vanilla extract and vodka

c. Mountain Dew, vanilla ice cream, hazelnut extract and moonshine

d. moonshine and aspirin

18. In honor of his brother Baldur the Good the god Thor bade his faithful to prepare and distribute Yule (Winter Solstice) feasts to whom?

a. captured enemy warriors

b. pregnant women

c. the orphaned children, widows and the elderly among their defeated enemies and any neighboring tribe that needed it

d. the fat man in the red suit

19. In Medieval Europe the aristocracy often included this inside a baked or roasted swan, believing that doing so brought health benefits if eaten on Christmas day. What was this cooked inside the swan?

a. the heart of a doe

b. a small turtle

c. mead cake

d. a thief’s hand

20. In Renaissance times European newlyweds often shared a dish together on Christmas day in the belief it brought fidelity to their union. What was this dish?

a. a roasted partridge taken from a pear tree

b. a plate of roasted love birds (doves)

c. a roasted French hen

d. a burnt meatloaf

Scroll below the gingerbread house to find the answers!

Answers

1. c. making caramels

2. a. shepard’s crook

3. b. Roman

4. c. milk and wine punch

5. c. plums

6. b. angel food cake

7. c. you are going on a long journey and pray they will not hunger while you are gone

8. a. buttered and with a cup of tea

9. b. the recipient

10. b. an almond

11. c. Divinity

12. a. a plum cake made with figs

13. d. nothing in particular; squirrel’s just good eating

14. c. walnut

15. c. Coole Swan Dairy Cream Liqueur

16. a. chili peppers

17. a. Sprite, vanilla ice cream, hazel extract and vodka

18. c. the orphaned children, widows and the elderly among their defeated enemies and any neighboring tribe that needed it

19. a. the heart of a doe

20. b. a plate of roasted love birds (doves)

©December 13, 2011 by Beth Perry