There's no denying the fact that British food, especially British comfort food, is crave-worthy. There's something about walking into the local pub and sitting down with a pint and a shepherd's pie that's a nearly perfect experience. After all, it's the country that started fish and chips and since its creation, the world has never really been the same. That doesn't mean that the world doesn't have questions about some of these famed dishes, though, or how they're served.
Just as the world has many questions about American cuisine, British cuisine also strikes up a sense of curiosity and wonder when it comes to certain aspects of traditional food. There are many questions that people would like answered, whether it's about biscuits vs. cookies or dishes such as haggis, that seem to be so off-putting to many people, but is certainly well-loved not just in England but throughout the UK.
These are the burning questions about British cuisine.
Biscuits Vs. Cookies
It's sometimes a challenge to tell the difference between a biscuit and a cookie. For those who have a variety of cookies from the United Kingdom in their grocery store, you may have noticed that many of them have a cake-like base and are usually covered with a layer of chocolate.
Some of them even have jam in the middle which only confuses the matter even further; are they mini cakes or are they cookies? Are they cake-like cookies or is this what genuinely constitutes a biscuit? We may never know the answer, but these biscuits are good.
A Pudding That Is Not Mushy And Semi-Liquid, Why?
Hearing the term 'pudding' when it comes to British pudding versus the pudding most people are familiar with in the US can definitely lead to some confusion. Not only are puddings in England sweet and savory, but they can hold things such as dried fruit, gravy, and even liquor.
In the US, pudding comes in a box and gets mixed with milk to create an instant dessert. While it's not hard to tell the difference, the question can be asked: How did pudding go from being a delicious gravy cup to being a Jell-O product?
Why Is The Chocolate So Much Better?
Cadbury eggs, we're looking at you. For some reason, in England, Cadbury - and any kind of - chocolate is extra delicious. It also tastes extra sweet and the reason behind that is very unclear. It says 'milk chocolate' on the package, but what is it really that makes this chocolate so incredibly divine?
Do Scones Taste Better Overseas?
For the most part, people have a preconceived notion that scones are practically dry biscuits... except that biscuits are apparently cookies, so there's that. However, in England, scones are an essential part of life and are commonly eaten at tea time.
So, what's the deal? Either they're just as dry and it's the clotted cream and jam that makes them so delicious, or there's something in the water in England that makes those scones extra scrumptious.
Is It Possible To Eat Meat Without Some Kind Of Puff Pastry Over The Top?
Beef Wellington, for starters, is an overwhelming popular British specialty, but it's not the first to be wrapped in a rich layer of pastry dough. It begs another question: Why so much pastry dough?
It's certainly not something to complain about but it is something to ponder; meat and pastry dough is a delicious combination but whose idea was it to unite the two?
Are Mushy Peas A Topping Or A Side?
Mushy peas seem to be very specific to the UK and while it's not something commonly seen around the world, it has certainly become somewhat of an English staple with many dishes.
Sometimes, it's seen on the side of the main dish while other times, it's seen on top of the main dish. It's highly versatile nature - along with its thin texture - leads us to wonder whether it's as dual-purpose a vegetable as it seems.
Why Is Haggis Such A Thing?
Just the name 'haggis' doesn't seem like something that would be appetizing but apparently, it's popular enough in the UK and England, specifically, to continue being a menu item. Anything wrapped in the sheath that is haggis doesn't seem like it would be all too appealing to a wide number of people but the fact is that haggis is a recipe that's centuries old, and isn't going away anything soon. We just wonder one thing: Do people still love it now as they did back then?