The Best British Childhood Foods: Ranked

Ice cream was voted as the best medicine for a low mood, as 33 per cent of those surveyed said it makes them feel happy because it reminds them of fond childhood memories. Here are the best British childhood foods ranked!

The top ten foods that cheer Britons up when we are feeling low have been revealed by a new study. 76 per cent of those surveyed said that certain types of food boost their mood and 80 per cent believed that the children of today are missing out on shared memories by not eating together as a family.

Second and third respectively in the rankings were traditional British meals – roast dinner, and fish and chips.

Bacon Sandwiches

Bacon Butty is Britain’s favourite food!  It’s not too hard to believe, because…who doesn’t love bacon?  It’s smell alone is intoxicating and it tastes perfect between two slices of toasted bread!

Roast Dinner

Roast dinners are quintessentially British. The roast itself, its delicious sides, and of course gravy. British Sunday lunch is also known as a Sunday Roast and is the very heart of British food and cooking!

If you’re invited to a British (or Irish) home for the Sunday roast, you can expect to be served a roast meat (often lamb), along with roast potato and/or Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, gravy, and one or more vegetables such as parsnips, brussel sprouts, peas, carrots, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or leeks. In addition to the traditional gravy, some families also serve cheese sauce for the veggies. Bring your appetite!

Cup O Tea

Both the British and Irish nations are huge tea drinkers. Everyone has their idea on how to make a proper cup of tea. But no matter what way you serve it, it is truly a national favourite. British tea is both a drink and a meal.

If you’re planning to partake of a true English tea, you may be served one of several types of traditional tea from India or China. In addition, you may be offered a light snack (bread and butter, cookies, or tea sandwiches). Another variation on English tea is the “cream tea,” which is usually served in the West Country (Devon and Cornwall). Cream tea includes jam and clotted cream (similar to whipped cream) served with scones.

Fish And Beloved Chips

The beloved fish and chips! Deep-fried fish in a crispy batter with fat golden chips is still one of Britain and Ireland’s favourite meals. The choice of fish served in a traditional fish and chips meal is usually cod or haddock, though pollack, plaice, and even tilapia may be substituted. Of course, British “chips” are identical with American French fries!

Traditional Yorkshire Pud

Yorkshire pudding is often part of the traditional roast dinner and is nothing like an American pudding. In fact, Yorkshire pudding is very much like a giant popover.

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A 1737 recipe explains how to use the “pudding” to make use of drippings from a roast of mutton: “Make a good batter as for pancakes; put in a hot toss-pan over the fire with a bit of butter to fry the bottom a little then put the pan and butter under a shoulder of mutton, instead of a dripping pan, keeping frequently shaking it by the handle and it will be light and savoury, and fit to take up when your mutton is enough; then turn it in a dish and serve it hot.”

Cornish Pasties

A Cornish Pasty is a delicious way to eat savoury meats and vegetables in a beautiful short crust pastry!  Nothing beats a hot one fresh out of the oven. A classic Cornish pasty includes beef, onion, and potato along with a turnip-like vegetable called a swede.

Strawberries & Cream

Nothing is better in early summer than strawberries and cream! They are fragrant, sweet, and fresh.

Childhood Nostalgia

Who here remembers Potato Smiles? How about the sweet little Babybels? Or Kwenchy Kups and Hubba Bubba Tape… Dairylee Dunkers & Chicken Super-Noodles. Just thought I would bring back some of that childhood snack nostalgia.

What do you think are the best British childhood foods?! Let us know down below!