Top 10 favourite British foods

Which foods make it into Brits' top ten favourite dishes, and why?

It is a truth universally acknowledged that our favourite foods are often not the best for us. Many people find a carrot more of a ‘stick’ when it comes to healthy eating, whilst fatty or sugary foods beckon invitingly from the sidelines.

However, according to new research, there are more complex reasons for our preference for certain food combinations.

Cathedral City Cheddar’s Taste of the Nation report - conducted by taste psychologist Greg Tucker - found that it’s all the different ‘palate zones’ dishes appeal to. Greg explains:

“Our palates are divided into three zones - the beginning, the middle and the end.  For foods to taste pleasing, they must impact each zone. 

“When foods, such as cheese and pickle, go especially well together, it means that different taste zones are being stimulated and therefore the taste and emotional experience, is stretched and maximised.”

So, which foods make it into Brits’ top ten favourite dishes, and why?

1. Bacon and egg

Here the salty, crispy bacon combines with the smooth, rich, soft egg to produce an initial emotional stimulus which turns into a sense of calm reassurance. Ooh-err!

2. Strawberries and cream

The sweet, natural and slightly acidic flavour of the strawberries is carried around the whole mouth by the rich, cool cream. They mirror each other perfectly, making it a perfect taste ‘journey’.

Eton mess is another dessert that combines summer fruits and cream in a rather mouth watering fashion.

3. Cheese and pickle

Cheese and pickle works because there is the slightly sour/sweet and moist pickle flavour, followed by the rich and creamy cheese note. 

The acid in the pickle combines with the lactic acid in the cheese to stimulate mouth-watering and aid mouth clearing. Try this Potted Stilton with apple completely scrumptious with a warm chutney on a crisp cracker.

4. Fish and chips

Apparently, this is a national favourite because of all the different textures at play.  The batter on the fish and chips creates a noisy first bite, followed by the creamy fullness of the fish which is calming and soothing for the palate.

Tangy vinegar adds more complexity to the taste dynamic.

5. Bangers and mash

The first bite into the sausage produces a burst of rich, deep flavour. This is then reinforced by the creamy mash, which is soft and easy to consume. 

6. Lager and curry

Here, the ginger in the curry builds on our taste buds so that the curry becomes hotter and hotter as we eat - while the lager is cool and refreshing.

7. Lamb and mint sauce

The contrast in flavours makes this the ultimate Sunday roast. The freshness in the mint cools the mouth and stimulates mouth-watering, whilst the lamb is rich and full bodied.

If you want to do something a bit different with the lamb in your life, check out this recipe for lamb pie with pear and cranberry.

8. Rhubarb crumble and custard

This British favourite combines the crisp dryness of the crumble, the zingy bite of the rhubarb, and the sweet, comforting smoothness of the custard. A perfect comfort food combination!

Blackberries are another staple of the English garden. If rhubarb really isn’t your thing, you might prefer this blackberry cottage tart.

And you can find the perfect recipe for quick, real custard right here.

9. Haggis, neeps & tatties

It seems the neeps & tatties are the most important element here: They’re buttery, soft and almost runny, adding a rich creamy melting softness to the dish and making the haggis acceptable.

10. Meat and potato Cornish pasties

This final combination came about through necessity as much as taste. Classic Cornish pasties were originally created because meat and potatoes were the foods most readily available in the south west.

The crimped pastry shell was used to seal in the meat and potato filling, and to hold the pastry while eating - keeping dirty fingers away from the main ingredients.

Of course, these ten taste favourites are very specific to the UK. According to Greg Tucker, our British palates have developed so that they’re very different to our foreign cousins.

That might explain why cheese and pickle doesn’t seem be quite as popular a combination across the Channel! 

Also worth your attention: 

Recipe: One pot turkey pilau with coriander

Recipe: Port and stilton truffles

Recipe: Potted Stilton with apple