Eating habits of Great Britain

Exploring the food culture is an interesting task, but frankly speaking it is not at the top of my favourite
cuisine all over the world. But British cuisine is often surprising in its range and quality.

One of the most notable aspects of British eating habits is the tradition of afternoon tea. This is an
amazing thing about the British. One famous American writer Henry James said, “There are few hours in
life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

Afternoon tea was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the year 1840.
The Duchess would become hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon and the evening meal in her
household was served late at eight o’clock, thus leaving a long period of time between lunch and dinner.
The Duchess asked to bring a tray of tea together with bread and cakes to her room during the late
afternoon. This became a habit, and she began inviting friends to join her. Nowadays the British has a
strong tea-drinking culture. Traditional black tea with milk and sugar remains a favorite, but herbal and
fruit teas have also gained popularity in recent years.

Fish and chips are another iconic dish that holds a special place in British cuisine. This combination of
deep-fried fish and chips is very popular as takeaway dish and you can find fish and chip shops across the
country.

Another important eating habit in Britain is Sunday roast. It is a traditional British meal typically enjoyed
on Sundays. It consists of roasted meat, such as beef, lamb, or chicken, accompanied by roasted
potatoes, vegetables, and Yorkshire pudding.

The British also have a fondness for pub culture, where they gather in local pubs to socialize and enjoy a
pint of beer or cider. For most people, drinking means socializing in general. Sitting together and
chatting, watching sports, birthdays, and much more takes place around a pub table.

There is also a big interest in vegetarian and vegan diets, and many restaurants and cafes offer variety of
vegetarian dishes. And interesting fact that Britain as multinational country is becoming more interested
in international cuisine. And if you travel to Britain, you can find cuisine for any taste. One famous
journalist Nigel Slater said “British food is a celebration of comfort eating. Our traditional savory recipes
are all about warmth and sustenance, our puddings a roll call of sweet jollity, our cakes are deep and
cozy. We appear to be a nation in need of a big, warm hug.” And I fully agree with it. The eating habits of
Great Britain reflect a combination of tradition, multicultural influences, and evolving food trends. But to
be honest Ukrainian eating habits and Ukrainian cuisine are more tasty, bright, and rich.