Black Pudding vs White Pudding: What’s the Difference?
, by Scottish Store & Deli, 2 min reading time
Compare black pudding and white pudding, including ingredients, taste, texture, colour and the traditional ways each is served.
Black pudding and white pudding often appear side by side at a Scottish breakfast, but they are not the same product. The clearest difference is simple: black pudding traditionally contains blood; white pudding does not.
You can compare both in our Traditional Scottish Puddings collection.
What is black pudding?
Black pudding is a savoury blood pudding made with blood, fat, cereal and seasoning. Recipes vary by producer, with oatmeal and different spice blends influencing the final texture and flavour.
Browse our Black Pudding collection for Scottish options.
What is white pudding?
White pudding is a pale savoury pudding generally based on cereal, fat and seasoning, sometimes with other ingredients depending on the recipe. It does not contain blood.
See our White Pudding collection for current products.
Black pudding vs white pudding ingredients
The defining ingredient difference is blood. Beyond that, both products can use cereals, fat and spices, and individual recipes vary substantially. That is why allergen and dietary questions should always be answered from the exact label rather than a generic recipe.
Which tastes stronger?
Black pudding generally has a deeper, richer savoury flavour. White pudding tends to be milder and more cereal-forward. Spice levels depend on the producer, so two brands can taste quite different even within the same category.
How are black and white pudding cooked?
Both are commonly sliced and fried or grilled. Many products are already cooked during manufacture and only need reheating, but this is not universal. Follow the pack instructions and heat thoroughly.
Which is part of a Scottish breakfast?
Black pudding is especially common in a full Scottish breakfast, while white pudding also appears depending on region and personal preference. There is no rule stopping you serving both.
What about fruit pudding?
Scottish fruit pudding is another breakfast pudding, but it includes dried fruit and warming spice notes that give it a sweet-savoury character. It is a different product again from both black and white pudding.
Frequently asked questions
Is white pudding just black pudding without blood?
That is an oversimplification. Removing blood is the major difference, but white pudding has its own recipe and seasoning rather than being black pudding with one ingredient omitted.
Which is better with a fry-up?
That comes down to taste. Black pudding is richer; white pudding is milder. Many people enjoy both.
Where can I buy both online?
Scottish Store & Deli stocks black, white and fruit pudding for UK delivery in our Traditional Scottish Puddings range.