Food Fact Friday: Egg Nog

It's holiday time! The drink that's most often associated with Christmas is Eggnog. It is a creamy comforting drink that always flies off the shelves this time of year. It even tastes better homemade. Click here for a great recipe from Paula Deen that I've made in the past, and it was a big hit!

The origins of the original eggnog drink are debated. Eggnog most likely originated in England. The drink adopted the nog part of its name from the word noggin, a Middle English phrase used to describe a small, wooden, carved mug used to serve alcohol. Yet another story is that the term derived from the name egg-and-grog, a common Colonial term used to describe rum. Eventually the term was shortened to egg'n'grog, then eggnog.

In England, the ingredients for the drink were too expensive and uncommon for the lower classes, but it was popular among the aristocracy. Most dairy farms were located on noble land, so the average Londoner did not even see a glass of milk, yet alone have egg nog. Also, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg were prized possessions and very expensive to attain.

The drink made it to the colonies during the early 18th century. Since brandy and wine were heavily taxed, rum from trade with the Caribbean was a cost-effective substitute. The inexpensive liquor coupled with plentiful farm and dairy products helped the drink become very popular in America.