š«šŖ„ WHAT ON EARTH IS CHOCOLATE TOOTHPASTE?
If you’re from Bedford, thereās a good chance you grew up thinking that āChocolate Toothpasteā was a perfectly normal pudding.
If youāre not from Bedfordā¦ youāre probably wondering why on earth we were eating toothpaste at lunchtime. š
Chocolate Toothpaste is a traditional Bedfordshire pudding ā a pastry tart filled with a distinctive chocolate mixture, traditionally finished with cream. The name comes from its smooth, slightly gritty consistency, which apparently reminded someone of toothpaste!
And here’s the funny thingā¦
For generations, Chocolate Toothpaste was served as a school dinner pudding around Bedfordshire. It was one of those completely ordinary lunchtime treats that you probably never questioned.
Until you left Bedford.
Then you mentioned it to someone from outside Bedford and got the inevitable:
āSorryā¦ you ate WHAT?ā š
It turns out that plenty of Bedfordians didn’t even realise Chocolate Toothpaste was a local delicacy. It was simply āthat chocolate pudding we used to have at schoolā.
Itās now recognised as one of Bedfordshireās traditional foods, alongside the Bedfordshire Clanger.
So, where can you get it?
š« La Rondine Cake Shop on Queen Street is probably the best-known place to start. Theyāve been making Chocolate Toothpaste for more than 40 years and supply local restaurants, cafĆ©s and hotels.
š° The Cottage Bakery on London Road is another local option, and thereās also a branch in Kempston.
ā Local cafĆ©s, bakeries and even some takeaways occasionally sell it too ā so keep your eyes peeled!
And if you grew up in Bedfordshire, the big question is:
Did your school serve Chocolate Toothpaste? And was it actually called Chocolate Toothpaste?
Because apparently this is one of those Bedford things that we all assumed everyone knew aboutā¦ until we left town. š
#Bedford #Bedfordshire #ChocolateToothpaste #BedfordFood #BedfordHistory #BedfordLife #VisitBedford #LocalFood #Bedfordians
