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Period: 45 to 410
The Romans
The Romans for instance brought us cherries, stinging nettles (to be used as a salad vegetable), cabbages and peas, as well as improving the cultivation of crops such as corn. -
Period: 410 to Dec 25, 1066
The Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings
The Saxons were excellent farmers and cultivated a wide variety of herbs. These were not used just for flavour as they are today but were used as bulk to pad out stews.
The Vikings and Danes brought us the techniques for smoking and drying fish. "Collops" is an old Scandinavian word for pieces or slices of meat, and a dish of Collops is traditionally served on Burns Night (25th January) in Scotland. York Ham is a great favourite with the British housewife. -
Period: Dec 25, 1066 to Dec 19, 1154
The Normans
The Normans invaded not only our country but also our eating habits! They encouraged the drinking of wine and even gave us words for common foods - mutton (mouton) and beef (boeuf) for example. In the 12th century the Crusaders were the first Britons to taste oranges and lemons whilst in Jaffa in 1191-2. -
Period: Dec 19, 1154 to Aug 22, 1485
Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, the importation of foods and spices from abroad has greatly influenced the British diet. Wealthy people were able to cook with spices and dried fruits from as far away as Asia. -
Period: Aug 22, 1485 to
Tudors
In Tudor times, new kinds of food started to arrive due to the increase in trade and the discovery of new lands. Spices from the Far East, sugar from the Caribbean, coffee and cocoa from South America and tea from India. Potatoes from America began to be widely grown. Eccles Cakes evolved from Puritan days when rich cakes and biscuits were banned. -
Period: to
Turkeys
Turkeys were bred almost exclusively in Norfolk up until the 20th century. In the 17th century, turkeys were driven from Norfolk to the London markets in great flocks of 500 birds or more. Their feet were sometimes bandaged to protect them. Upon arrival in London, they had to be fattened up for several days before market. -
Period: to
Kedgeree
The growth of the Empire brought new tastes and flavours - Kedgeree, for example, is a version of the Indian dish Khichri and was first brought back to Britain by members of the East India Company. It has been a traditional dish at the British breakfast table since the 18th and 19th centuries. -
Period: to
British Food Today
Nowadays you can sample cuisines from all around the world - chinese, indian, italian, french, american, spanish, thai, etc., reflecting the ethnic diversity of Britain today as well as the modern ease of travel. Some would even claim 'Curry' to be a traditional British dish - although it bears little resemblance to the curries to be found in India! -
So What is British Cuisine?
Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, Steak and Kidney Pie, Trifle - these are the dishes that everyone associates with Britain. But like the country of Britain which is constantly changing and evolving, so is British food, and whilst today these dishes are 'traditionally British', in the future perhaps dishes such as the British Curry will join them!
