Prompt Cast
The Evolution of English Food: From Bad Reputation to Culinary Experimentation
TLDR While English food may have had a bad reputation in the past, there have been periods of improvement and experimentation with English dishes. The focus on French food in the 19th century may have hindered the development of a distinct British cuisine, but there have been influences from Italy, Spain, and global trade that have shaped British tastes throughout history.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The hosts and guest discuss the reputation of English food, with Pen Vogler arguing that while it may have been deserved in the past, it is now harsh to say that English food is the worst in the world.
05:03
English food has had a bad reputation in the past, but there have been periods of improvement and experimentation with English dishes, although the focus on French food in the 19th century may have hindered the development of a distinct British cuisine.
09:21
The 18th century saw the establishment of roast beef as a staple in English cuisine, with a long-standing obsession and pride in beef, while the enclosures and industrial revolution played a role in the decline of traditional British food and the rise of French menus, although Dickens' descriptions of food in his books were likely accurate representations of what people ate at the time.
13:41
The turkey became a popular meat in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly during Christmas, and while Dickens helped anchor the tradition of eating turkey on Christmas Day, goose was actually the more common meat at the time.
18:00
Curry has a long history in Britain, dating back to at least the 18th century, and was influenced by the spices brought back by crusaders, making it closer to the tastes of English medieval food than fish and chips.
22:49
Tastes in Tudor England were influenced by the growing middle class, with female housekeepers likely in control of menus and looking for local food options, while flamboyant and visually striking dishes were popular among the highest tables, such as the cockapig, and many of Britain's tastes were absorbed from Italy and Spain, with influences from the country's history of global trade.
27:36
The discussion turns to British tea preferences, including the practice of bringing tea bags on vacation, and the introduction of biscuit tea, before transitioning to a conversation about the popularity of pies in Britain and their historical significance as a way to preserve meat.
31:45
The historical significance of fish as a food during enforced fast days and the transition to meat as a status symbol after the Reformation, as well as the different meal terminology and traditions based on class and region in Britain.
36:01
The origins of the sandwich, often attributed to the Earl of Sandwich, actually involve people always having bread, meat, and cheese and putting them together.
40:14
The origins of the sandwich involve people always having bread, meat, and cheese and putting them together, but they wouldn't have called it a sandwich.
Categories:
History
