National Vanilla Pudding Day is celebrated worldwide every May 22. This holiday invites people to enjoy a nice cold bowl of vanilla pudding, which has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Originally evolving from a pudding-like dish of rice and almonds in Arab culture, it transitioned through medieval Europe into the French dessert known as blancmange, made with milk, sugar, and shredded meat or fish. Over time, the meat was removed, and the dish became a sweet dessert incorporating milk and eggs. In the 19th century, arrowroot and cornstarch were added, leading to the modern pudding we know today. The introduction of jelly-based pudding and the launch of instant puddings by Jell-O in the 1950s further popularized this dessert. Whether homemade or store-bought, vanilla pudding is enjoyed on this day, often paired with chocolate or fresh fruit for a special treat.