Britain reveals favourite way to eat their pies - Food and Drink Technology (2024)
Following a 6% increase in pork pie sales during the UK’s lockdown period, a survey has revealed that the nation’s favourite accompaniments to the British classic snack are pickles (pickle, chutney, and pickled onion) and condiments (mustard, ketchup, and brown sauce) – with a combined total of 60% of those who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side choosing these options.
Pork Farmscommissioned the online YouGov survey, which reached more than2,000members of the public, to discover how the nation likesto eat their pork pie.
Whilethe overwhelming majorityofpeople surveyed,who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side,said theyeat theirswith pickles or condiments. Cold sides (salad and coleslaw) came in third with14.5%,hot sides (chips, gravy, baked beans) and a Ploughman’s lunch followed with 10% and 7% of the vote,respectively.
Mike Holton, brand manager at Pork Farms said: “There’s no doubt that pork pies are classic Britishfridge-staples, withover half of UK shoppers havingpurchased at least one of thelunchbox, picnic and buffet stapleswithin the last year. We’ve also seen these figures grow byan additional6% within the last 12 weeks, so it is really interesting tosee thevast differences inpeople preferences dependent on theirage, demographic and location.”
Resultsshowedthatnationwide,18-24-year-olds,who eat pork piesandprefer at least one side,are most likely to eat theirswith a hot side(31%)– in comparison to 5% of baby boomers (people ages 55+).Overwhelmingly, the survey also found that our older generations, who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side, were more likely to eat theirs with pickles – 38% of 45-54-year olds prefer pickles in comparison to just 13% of 18-24-year olds.
Alongside interestingvariations with age groups – the data also found a stark difference to the way regions within Englandeat their favourite savoury snack.
Residents within the North, who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side, are most likely to eat hot sides (16%), the East saw the highest majority vote for pickle (45.5%) and Ploughman’s lunches (10%), and Londoners are most likely to eat their pork pie with condiments (36%), specifically mustard (24%).
The survey also found stark differencesinthe waythatpork pies are consumed within our nations,in Wales24% of those whoeat pork pies prefertheirswith picklesand 40% of people,who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side,in Scotland eattheirs with condiments, specifically brown sauce17%.
Now distributing over 40 million pork pies, the iconic British brand has just undergone a refresh, which will see new branding focused on the company’s heritage and 100% British pork, rolled out across its website, social media and marketing materials. The products have also received newly designed packaging.
A pork pie is a traditional English meat pie, usually served either at room temperature or cold (although often served hot in Yorkshire). It consists of a filling of roughly chopped pork and pork fat, surrounded by a layer of jellied pork stock in a hot water crust pastry.
and prefer at least one side, are most likely to eat hot sides (16%), the East saw the highest majority vote for pickle (45.5%) and Ploughman's lunches (10%), and Londoners are most likely to eat their pork pie with condiments (36%), specifically mustard (24%).
Pies have provided a way for the British elite to show off with more than just size. The 16th and 17th Centuries saw the rise of so-called Surprised Pyes, created to impress guests at aristocratic banquets by concealing unexpected things under an additional removable pastry lid added after cooking.
Pies were actually termed 'pyes' in medieval England. It wasn't until the 1500s that someone had the novel idea of filling a pie with fruit rather than meat, and it is thought that the very first cherry pie was sampled by Queen Elizabeth I herself!
Steak and ale is the UK's favourite pie, according to a poll. The beef and beer-filled variety saw off competition from chicken and mushroom, plain steak, and steak and kidney. Other favourites include minced beef and onion, Cornish pasty, and perhaps controversially given its lack of pastry, Shepherd's pie.
What are meat pies called in England? This may shock you but meat pies are usually called 'meat pies. ' Unless they are called steak and kidney pie or steak and ale pie or steak and potato pie or chicken and leek pie. You get the idea.
The meat pie is a British staple and has been so for hundreds of years. In medieval times the crust wasn't considered edible and instead acted as a serving dish for the contents.
Originally, mince pies were often made in an oval shape, reminiscent of the crib in the manger where Christ was born, while the top represented the cloth he was swaddled in.
A Minted Wensleydale Lamb & Potato Pie has taken home the title of Supreme Champion at the 2024 British Pie Awards. The winning product, made by Middleton in Teesdale Fish & Chip Shop near Barnard Castle in County Durham, was described by one judge as a “come eat me pie” while another declared “the pastry is a poem”.
British pies are often meat pies or pasties.Most American pies are fruit, pecan or pumpkin. A more comparable comparison would be to American pot pies which have meat in them but also a gravy.
Traditional British dishes include full breakfast, roast dinner, fish and chips, toad in the hole and shepherd's pie. Traditional desserts include trifle, scones, apple pie, sticky toffee pudding and Victoria sponge cake. Cheddar cheese originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset.
Pies have been eaten in Britain for centuries, with the first written reference to pies dating back to as early as 1303. Pies have fed people of all social classes over time from peasants working the land to aristocrats serving lavish pies for their posh chums to feast on.
The ideal way to enjoy pie depends on personal preference and the type of pie. Traditionally, pies are served warm to enhance flavors and textures, but certain pies like custard or cream are better cold. To avoid burns and ensure the best taste, serve pies at a warm but not hot temperature (130-140°F).
Pre-heat the oven to 180 ºC / 350ºF / Gas Mark 4. Place pies on a baking tray and cover with foil, this stops the pie tops from burning. Place in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and return to the oven for around 5 minutes ensuring the pies are piping hot.
Pie and mash is London's original fast-food. It's a traditional British meal, popularised in the eastern docklands area of the capital during the Victorian era. Traditionally a working-class food, the pastry crust protected workers' transportable meals from the dirt and grime of historic London.
British Pie Week has now become an established tradition, having been introduced in 2007 by pastry manufacturer Jus-Rol. It started as a campaign to get us making more pies at home, but it's transformed into an event that celebrates the great British pie in all its forms across the country.
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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