Malva pudding is a sweet pudding of South African origin. It contains apricot jam and has a spongy caramelised texture. A cream sauce is always poured over it while it is hot, and it is usually served warm with cold custard and/or ice-cream. Many South African restaurants offer this pudding, which is thought to originally be of Dutch[1] then Cape Dutch origin, and is synonymous with the Cape.[2][3]
There are various theories on the origin of the name.
The Oxford English Dictionary says it comes from Afrikaansmalvalekker, meaning "marshmallow" (ultimately from Latin malva, a mallow).[5] This may arise from a resemblance between the pudding's texture and that of a marshmallow or a similar Afrikaner sweet, the malvelekker, made with the extract of marsh mallow.[6]
Malva is also Afrikaans for geranium (in the broad sense, including Pelargonium).[7] Another botanical theory is that the batter was originally flavoured with the leaves of the lemon- or the rose-scented geranium, varieties of South African native plants.[6]
Art Smith said that according to Colin Cowie, his hospitality ambassador in South Africa, the pudding was named after a woman called Malva.[8]
Another theory is that the sauce originally contained Malvasia (malmsey) wine. Proponents of this theory include brandy or sherry in the sauce.[6]
Others suggest that the pudding was originally accompanied by Malvasia wine.[9]
Cape brandy pudding
Cape brandy pudding is a closely relation, or possible variant, of Malva pudding. The main difference is the substitution of some Malva ingredients with Cape brandy and dates for sweetness.[10]
