The Siracha Effect

According to the recent report from the Technomic 2016 top trends report, ethnic flavours, and more so spicy foods are the trend to watch for the new year. However, if we take a walk back in history in the UK, we will see that our love affair for spicy food is no new fad.

If you think of the traditional English meal, images hat spring to mind are of a family sitting around to enjoy a roast spring to mind. However, the Chilli pepper has more of a history in Britain than we think, and as far back as the 18th century we were enjoying the intense flavours and variety of heats that now play such an integral part in our modern menus! Taking a look at the evolution of our eating habits and how the humble jalapeno managed to make such a big mark on our culinary landscape, I am going to have a quick peek at British historical eating habits!

Chilli in history Britain has long enjoyed food with a bit of bite and chillies go back over 200 years when the first dedicated Indian restaurant was opened in central London. Although Chilli peppers may originate in South America, they were introduced into our diet by those who spent their time between the colonies of India and the Caribbean, and although they may have been a staple for the British upper and colonial classes in 18th Century Britain, it was not until the late 20th century that they started to become more popular with the general public.

With the two world wars and depression putting an end to the influx of exotic foods, the diet of Britons began to change and become dominated by red meat and home-grown vegetables such as cabbage and potatoes. It was not until the late 1940’s when burnt out chip shops were acquired by recent migrants from the Indian subcontinent, that traditional fish and chips were sold alongside curry and rice, often staying open later to catch the after pub trade and becoming an integral British institution.

Whilst our modern love affair with spicy foods may have started out as an after drinks ritual, it has rapidly escalated into a booming market. With sales of fresh chilli peppers increasing by 42 % over the last two years, it suggest that British consumers have become increasingly adventurous in their cooking and no longer see the Chilli as an exotic addition to their pantry, but more as a staple!