Very Welsh rarebit: Two-thirds in Wales haven’t tried the traditional dish
A Welsh food historian has warned that some of the British Isles’ traditional foods are disappearing off the menu, as research showed that two-thirds of people in Wales have never tried Welsh rarebit.
Welsh rarebit, a dish consisting of a hot cheese-based sauce served over slices of toasted bread, is becoming increasingly, well, rare, according to research by Aldi.
Only half of people have heard of the Scottish classic neeps and tatties, with that number dropping to as few as a quarter in London, the survey showed. 10 per cent of those surveyed thought that black pudding, Eton mess, and bangers and mash were fictitious foods.
Seren Harrington-Hollins, from Llanidloes, has been researching the origins of some of Britain’s lesser-known delicacies. She said that “our culinary history is rich with stories and delicious dishes”.
However, she expressed surprise at the extent to which some British foods had dropped out of fashion according to Aldi’s poll.
“My work as a food historian means I understand that over time, peoples’ preferences and tastes tend to change, but it was surprising to learn that such a large chunk of people are not au fait with classics such as bangers and mash and toad in the hole,” she said.
The poll also revealed that only 22 per cent of millennials have ever tried a Scotch egg, while 18 per cent think that it is not a real foodstuff.
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Welsh Rarebit on the menu at T H Roberts in Dolgellau…
I wonder how many have heard of laverbread, let alone seen it or tasted it. I hope it never becomes popular
Or wild mushrooms. Chop a “chantrelle” , fry with omions, stir-in cream for a sauce.
Very good over fish.
A neighbour of mine in the 60’s used to go on his scrambler at low tide to collect the seaweed between Friog and Llwyngwril.
Two types on sale at Cletwr in Ceredigion!
Although laverbread has many health benefits, looks, smells & tastes dreadful. It pains me to say this being a proud Welshman.
Iesu wen tragwyddol, what is happening to my nation? Not liking bara lawr? What are you, Dutch? 😂
In all seriousness, there are a few of these ‘Marmite’ type traditional dishes and foodstuffs all over the world – natto for instance, a sticky fermented soy bean dish, is well-loved by many Japanese people, loathed by others (tastes OK, smells like death).
Jane’s amazing rarebit is one of the best sellers at Caffi Cletwr in Tre’r-ddôl
Obs She has never visited any locally owned Cafe or pub in the north west of Wales , Black Boy in Caernarfon does an excellent interpertation of Rarebit , strictly speaking Rarebit is a savoury ( served after a dessert and coffee for a formal dinner ) for the upper classes or as a late night supper for the middle classes after a theatre or nightclub , or as ‘tea’ for us lesser mortals, add a poached egg it becomes ‘buck’ rarebit, the most pretentious one i have prepared being quails egg on toasted rarebit canapes with perigord truffle in… Read more »
Most Welsh blindly eat cheese on toast not knowing it’s a less classier copycat of Welsh Rarebit.
How about Bara Brith? Absolutely love that stuff.
Ever had teisen lap? On its own it’s an awful, dry, crummy dullfest. With a disgled (I sacreligiously choose coffee) it’s amazing. A cake designed solely as an accompaniment for a hot beverage – Starbucks, you listening? 😉
Never heard of it growing up, only really heard reference to it on English TV, same as calling someone taffy or boyo, so just thought it was some form of derogatory term for cheese on toast.
No mention of cawl? My Welsh husband’s cawl is the best in the world. What is served in restaurants is a weak and watery distant cousin. His is solid, a mountain of chopped veg – carrot, swede, onion, potato, whatever he fancies added, herbs, and simmered lamb shank. Marvellous. Hundreds of different recipes.
Real Cawl made fresh is amazing.
Brewys — a Welsh classic from the Gogledd.
Well ours is the Dde tradition.
Best in the world, you say? I’d better go check the mynwent, my nan must’ve spun so hard she may have risen up and started a brush fire.
Pice fresh off the maen. Caws a winwns is the best hangover food invented. Cockles a bara lawr ‘da cig moch. Salt Marsh lamb. Right, I’m starving now.