How many ingredients is traditional Christmas pudding made from and why?

Traditionally, Christmas pudding is made with 13 ingredients. This number is symbolic, representing Jesus and his 12 disciples.

The 13 ingredients are:

* Suet (or butter)

* Flour

* Breadcrumbs

* Raisins

* Currants

* Sultanas

* Chopped mixed peel

* Candied peel

* Almonds

* Cinnamon

* Nutmeg

* Cloves

* Sugar

It's important to note that this number isn't strictly adhered to by everyone. Some recipes might have additional ingredients like brandy or orange zest. The key is the symbolic representation of the 13 ingredients, which is a part of the tradition and history of Christmas pudding.