10 unmissable food products in the United Kingdom

Tea

What would the English be without their daily cup(s) of tea, the perfect companion on both grey and sunny days, the remedy against the cold and the blues, the ideal excuse to treat yourself to a biscuit or a sweet? Residents across the Channel consume on average 2.5kg of tea per person per year, or 900 cups. Black tea such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey is widely popular, and is often accompanied by a splash of milk and a hint of sugar, possibly a scone or a few shortbread for tea time, all together served in the most beautiful cups and teapots typical of the English style.

Jelly

Jelly is a kind of gelatinous and colourful dessert, which is often served at children's parties, picnics and other special occasions. It is usually made by dissolving jelly crystals in hot water, then allowing the mixture to cool to a gel-like consistency. You can also add pieces of fruit or other toppings for more flavour. Despite its unsavoury appearance for us French people, the British love it!

Clotted cream

Clotted cream is a cream with a thick texture obtained after letting previously heated cow's milk cool for several hours. The British invariably associate this surprising cream with scones, but just like lemon curd, it can be used in many recipes: fudge, rice pudding, crumble, ice cream...

Lemon curd

Lemon curd, this delicious lemon spread, creamy and tangy as desired, is traditionally enjoyed with scones during Tea time. Just like jams and especially orange marmalades, much appreciated by the British, it can also be spread generously on toast or pancakes, but also used as a filling for tarts or other pastries such as pancakes or cupcakes.

Digestives

Digestives are these small round biscuits with a slight hazelnut flavour that couldn't be a better accompaniment to tea time hot drinks. Although their origin remains uncertain, we can say that it dates back to the 19th century: they were named so because at the time they contained baking soda, known to facilitate digestion. Today, their recipe remains almost unchanged and delights the British (even more so if they are covered in chocolate!)

Shortbread

Shortbread, these biscuits with a good buttery taste that are the pride of the Scots, come in all shapes (round, oval, rectangle, etc.) and all flavours: chocolate chips, hazelnuts, caramel, fruit, etc. Shortbreads were born in the Middle Ages: they were then made from leftover bread dough which was put in the oven until it hardened and became what is now known as a "biscuit" (baked twice). Just like the Digestives, they go very well with tea and will delight you during your snacks.

Sausages

Sausages are an integral part of British cuisine. If they are essential for brunch and the traditional English Breakfast, they are also found in certain typical British dishes such as Bangers and Mash, Sausage Rolls and Toad in the Hole.

Baked beans

An essential part of the famous Full English Breakfast, beans are white beans accompanied by a slightly sweet tomato sauce. Whether for a quick meal, for breakfast or for brunch, the English love to spread them on buttered toast sprinkled with grated cheddar or as an accompaniment to other foods such as sausages or jacket potatoes. Considered since the Second World War (when they first appeared) as an economical, easy-to-prepare and comforting dish, baked beans have continued to occupy the plates of the British!

Cheese and crackers

If France is considered THE country of cheese, England is not left out with its around 750 varieties of cheese. From the classic cheddar (which we find in particular in mac and cheese) to the more modern Stichelton, including Cottage cheese and Brie, the British love cheese, which they most often enjoy accompanied by crackers and sometimes a glass of port.

Sauces

Sauces, whether sweet, savoury, or both, are a staple of British cuisine. They accompany the famous "Sunday roast" and all the grilled meats that the British love, they garnish toasts, crackers and sandwiches during snacks, or they serve as a base for dishes such as pies, burgers and pizzas. We also like to dip vegetables or fries in it. Whether it's Worcestershire sauce, Marmite, chutney or even HP sauce, the British eat it at every opportunity!

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Le Comptoir Irlandais - 4 universes to discover