Pudding Day

What Is Pudding Day?

The 25th of every month is "Purin no Hi," Pudding Day in Japan, for the custard pudding known as purin. It was established by Ohayo Dairy Products Co., Ltd. of Okayama, a maker of milk, processed milk and yogurt. The date reads 25 as "nikkori," a broad smile -- the smile that pudding is said to bring on.

A Pun That Describes a Face

Among Japanese number puns, one that encodes an expression rather than a word is unusual.

• Origin of the date: 25 read as "nikkori," to break into a smile
• The idea: eating pudding makes you smile without meaning to
• Established by: Ohayo Dairy Products Co., Ltd. of Okayama City
• Why: the company has a number of popular pudding products
• Recognition: received the 16th Anniversary Culture Merit Award for its reach and popularity

An Anniversary Recognized in Its Own Right

Pudding Day received the 16th Anniversary Culture Merit Award from the Japan Anniversary Association, given in recognition of how widely the day came to be known and accepted. Among Japan's many food anniversaries, it counts as one that genuinely took hold.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Pick out a pudding at a convenience store or supermarket
• Compare the silky style against the firm, old-fashioned style
• Make one at home from milk, eggs and sugar
• Consider it as an addition to the Christmas dessert table

The 25th, Read as a Smile

For many people the 25th is payday as well. As excuses for a small reward go, a pudding is a reasonable one.