13 Surprising British Facts About Food

    Do you know what Bisto stands for?

    Josie Ayre
    by Josie Ayre

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Pikelets and crumpets may be made with the same batter, but they are two completely different beasts.

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    A crumpet is traditionally cooked in a ring so that it maintains its shape and depth, while a pikelet is able to spread out in the cooking process, so they are thinner.

    2. Spotted Dick isn't actually as diiirty as it sounds – "spotted" refers to the way that the raisins resemble spots, and "dick" derives from the word "dough".

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    One council canteen had to rename the traditional pudding "Spotted Richard" after too many jokes were made about the raunchy name.

    3. The sandwich was invented by the 4th Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu.

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    Montagu allegedly asked that a piece of meat be served to him between two slices of bread so that he wouldn't get both his hands and cards dirty during a gambling game.

    4. When it was first introduced to Britain in the 18th century, Broccoli was originally known by the much fancier name of Italian asparagus.

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    Petition to return broccoli to its former glory.

    5. The aesthetically challenged Stargazy Pie was created when a brave fisherman ventured into a stormy sea to fish in order to help feed his fellow villagers.

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    The fisherman in question, Tom Bawkcock, saved his hometown of Mousehole in Cornwall from starvation by returning from his sea venture with seven types of fish which were then baked into a pie. Tom Bawcock's Eve is celebrated every year on the 23rd of December in Mousehole.

    6. The world's first solid chocolate bar was made in Bristol in 1847.

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    Fry's mass-produced their Chocolate Cream bar, and then in 1873 produced the first chocolate Easter eggs in the UK. Fry's was eventually taken over by Cadbury.

    7. Christmas pudding was originally made with partridge, pheasant, rabbit and poultry.

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    It was only in 1714 when King George I decided that it should be eaten at Christmas with no meat in it that it became the Christmas pudding that we know, and kind of love today.

    8. The Romans loved British oysters, especially the ones found in Colchester.

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    Oyster shells were found in Roman built relics like Hadrian's Wall. Those Romans were boujie.

    9. An iced bun is *literally* just a hot dog bun with sugar icing on top.

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    The traditional childhood snack was all just a lie.

    10. Bisto is actually an acronym for "Browns Instantly, Seasons and Thickens in One."

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    And it certainly does, amiright?

    11. The people of Gloucester celebrate every coronation or jubilee by sending pies to the Royal household.

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    The pies are made with the eel-like lamprey fish, which used to be locally sourced but are now imported from Canada, due to protection laws in the UK.

    12. Toad in the hole used to be made with meats like beef steak, lamb's kidneys or pigeon – not with sausages as we know it today.

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    The batter-based dish was devised as a way of stretching out meat for poor households.

    13. In the late 14th century, the king's royal guards would eat roast beef every Sunday – hence the name Beefeaters!

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    The tradition then became a nationwide thing and now 30% of Brits stiill eat a roast every. damn. week.