Traditions and Culture Behind The British Food

Great Britain is made from three different countries, England, Scotland, and Wales. Each country has its own rich culture and traditions. The diverse culture tells us about their culinary traditions. Britain had played a great role in keeping its culture and food. We have Romans who bought in cherries, cabbages, and peas along with crops like corn. The Romans also brought wine. 

The Romans were known for building good roads that made it easy for them to transport produce all through the country. Have you ever heard of Saxons? Were they excellent farmers who were known for cultivating herbs? Herbs were mostly used while preparing stews. Many of us love to eat smoked and dry fish. It was the Vikings and Danes who brought this technique. In some parts of England, especially the North-East coasts, we can see people still eating slices of meat as a tradition served on Burn’s night which falls on 25th January in Scotland. British food is always loved worldwide, and British homemakers would always like to prepare their favorite food with york ham. Many of us are not aware that york ham was first smoked using sawdust of oak trees.

British traditional food is full breakfast, Fish and Chips, the Sunday Roast, Steak, Kidney Pie, Shepherds Pie, Bangers, and Mash. Due to diverse cultures, Britain has focused on a wide variety of foods from different cuisines of Europe, India, and other parts of the world. Several regional dishes are associated with British cuisine within the border with English, Scottish and Welsh cuisine and Northern Irish cuisines. Each place has come up with regional dishes like fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding, Cumberland sausage, Arbroath Smokie, and Welsh Cakes.

In the 20th Century, we saw a huge change in food recipes as the British people had fresh products. They were willing to add other cultural recipes and also include other cultural foods from Italy and India. British food once used to be less spicy or no spice at all. As time changed, they tried to use different herbs and spices to create spiced British food in this medieval area. The modern era is highly influenced by the Mediterranean, Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asian cuisines. We could see a subsequent fading of northern and central European cuisines.

Here in British culture, Christmas dinner is special. Turkey and Christmas pudding is more popular since the 16th Century. Apart from roast turkey, we also have roast beef or ham to which stuffed gravy, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, and vegetables are served. Christmas pudding-like Yule Log, Mince Pies, Cakes, etc., are popular with deserts.

Food Varieties Place Wise:

  1. Anglo Indian Cuisine: It is a traditional British food like roast beef with a little touch of Indian spices such as cloves and red chilies. Fish and meat are cooked with vegetables like an Indian curry. In Anglo-Indian food, we often see the use of yogurt, coconut, and almonds. We have different flavors for roasts, curries, rice dishes, and bread.
  2. English Cuisine: English food is associated with England. British food has distinct flavors by adding ingredients from North America, China, and India.
  3. Northern Irish Cuisine: It’s similar to the Islands of Ireland. The Ulster Fry is a popular dish here.
  4. Scottish Cuisine: Its traditions are uprooted from Scotland. Traditional Scottish dishes are haggis, and Scotland is known for producing high-quality beef, lamb, potatoes, oats, and seafood.
  5. Welsh Cuisine: It’s highly influenced by British cuisine. Beef and Dairy cattle are widely seen here. Meat is very closely associated with Welsh cooking. 

At the Brook Pub in Cambridge, we try to keep in the essence of British food with a touch of Indian, Mediterranean, and Italian cuisines. So do come in to enjoy our food along with our Cask Ales, Wines, Spirits, Coffee, and Teas. Our menu servers the best traditional British pub food, Indian food, and Italian food. It is the right time for you to spend your summer in our Beer garden with family and friends.

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