As I mentioned in the title, I certainly do not consider myself a foodie by any means (my idea of a good meal is Doritos, Easy Mac and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream), but living abroad has opened my eyes to the importance of food in culture. Despite America’s negative reputation as the world’s largest producer of unhealthy, unnatural, and genetically modified food, American food has undoubtedly generated a social culture that can only be experienced over a shared meal.
While natives would argue that the same experience can be shared over a warm cup of tea (always served with milk and sugar- apparently that is a thing here), English cuisine does not compare to Maryland crab cakes, Chicago pizza, or even a Philadelphia cheese steak. No, British cuisine and food culture will never compare to back home, but still I felt it was important to recognize the native cuisine that is ingrained in the culture of this city:
The Yorkshire Pudding
The famous Yorkshire pudding dates back to 1737, when it was first published in the recipe book, The Whole Duty of the Woman. In its traditional form, the Yorkshire pudding is a cup-shaped pastry, made from the simple ingredients of flour, eggs, and milk. Since its inception, Yorkshireman have used the pastry as an edible bowl for meats, potatoes, and vegetables, as well as sweets like chocolate and ice cream. Additionally, it has since been adapted to become a Yorkshire Pudding wrap. (https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-yorkshire-pudding/ )
My Personal rating:
Restaurant/Manufacturer: The York Roast Co.
Contents/ Flavor: Turkey roast, gravy, stuffing ball, string beans, carrots, cranberry sauce
Stars (Out of 5): 3.5
Review: While the Yorkshire Pudding is the closest thing I have come to Thanksgiving dinner (my favorite meal), the pudding itself is much denser and dryer than I was anticipating. I personally would prefer to eat my turkey on a sandwich or tortilla wrap, rather than a pudding bowl.
Chocolate Oranges
In 1931, Terry’s Chocolate Works in York, England, released the first chocolate orange, an orange-shaped ball of chocolate with subtle hints of orange flavoring. The popularity of this product led to similar adaptations of the chocolate orange by York Chocolate Story, Fudge Kitchen LTD, and other dessert stores throughout York. (http://letslookagain.com/tag/chocolate-orange-history/ )
My Personal rating:
Restaurant/Manufacturer: Terry’s Chocolate Works
Contents/ Flavor: Orange chocolate
Stars (Out of 5): 4
Review: The Chocolate Orange is quite delicious, especially for any orange lover. However, I personally believe that the classic chocolate/peanut butter combination is unbeatable.
Fish and Chips
Although the exact history of the famous English dish, Fish and Chips, is unknown, it is widely agreed that the origin of the meal dates to the early 1860s and were a vital component to sustaining morale during the World Wars. In fact, military leader Winston Churchill deemed the hot dish “the good companions” to both its counterpart and the British public. (http://anisecatering.com/a-brief-history-of-fish-and-chips/)
My Personal rating:
Restaurant/Manfacturer: Charles XII Pub
Contents/ Flavor: Haddock Fish and chips (aka fries)
Stars (Out of 5): 4.5
Review: Not only was the fish and chips delicious, but Charles XII is my favorite pub in town! It has a cozy environment, great student discounts (I got fish and chips with a glass of wine for 7 pounds), and always has a sports game on television (sadly, no NFL). Not to mention, Charles XII is just a 5 minute walk from campus!
You must be logged in to post a comment.