As Anglotopia readers know, the British drink a lot of tea. Per capita, tea consumption in the UK averages 4.3 pounds a year, and in Ireland, it averages almost five pounds a year. Last March, I wrote a column called Finding Comfort in a Cup of Tea, which discusses the many forms that tea drinking takes in the UK, from a quick mug of tea during a mid-morning break all the way … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Exploring the World of Tea at Charleston Tea Garden
British Food
A Brit Back Home: The Great Caterpillar Cake Row – Colin or Cuthbert – Where Do You Stand?
There’s a huge legal battle going on in the UK retail world at the moment. Marks & Spencer, that bastion of British High Street shopping (that’s Main Street to Americans) has filed a lawsuit against big-box supermarket Aldi for allegedly ripping off its iconic Colin the Caterpillar cake. Not only are they ticked off that Aldi is copying their 30-year-old cake design, but … [Read more...] about A Brit Back Home: The Great Caterpillar Cake Row – Colin or Cuthbert – Where Do You Stand?
Eating Irish in America: Fiddler’s Hearth, South Bend’s Salute to the Celtic Nations
In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, I'm highlighting one of my favorite Irish-American pubs, Fiddler’s Hearth in South Bend, Indiana. As a Celtic pub, Fiddler’s also celebrates the food, drink, and cultures of Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, and Galicia, which adds to the fun. I’ve visited dozens of Irish pubs across America over the years, and Fiddler’s … [Read more...] about Eating Irish in America: Fiddler’s Hearth, South Bend’s Salute to the Celtic Nations
Eating British in America: The Iconic AGA Cooker
I’ve been dishing up lots of soups, stews, and other cold weather comfort foods lately, and thinking about comfort foods reminded me of one of my favorite British kitchen icons: the AGA cooker. I read a lot of Mills & Boon novels when I was growing up, and I remember being mystified by the occasional references to AGAs. These seemingly magical appliances could roast a … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: The Iconic AGA Cooker
Great British Icons: Tate & Lyle Sugar
At one point the world’s largest sugar refiners, Tate & Lyle was formed in 1921 by the merger of two family businesses. One was founded by Henry Tate, who began as a grocer in 1839, and the other by Abram Lyle, who created Golden Syrup, an iconic British product still sold today in British grocery stores, in a tin with the original 1885 design. These businesses both ended … [Read more...] about Great British Icons: Tate & Lyle Sugar
Eating British in America: Jungle Jim’s Caters to Your British Cravings
Jungle Jim’s International Market is both a multicultural festival and a supermarket on steroids. The Ohio landmark is the brainchild of Jim Bonaminio, who started selling produce from a truck by the side of the road in the early 1970s. Bonaminio opened his first brick-and-mortar store in Fairfield, Ohio - about 25 miles from Cincinnati - in 1975. The space has been expanded … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Jungle Jim’s Caters to Your British Cravings
How To Make Your Own Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken At Home
One of our favorite places to eat in Britain is Nando’s Peri-Peri Chicken. It’s amazing spicy chicken, grilled and marinated in delicious peri-peri sauce and served with amazing chips (fries). We’re lucky that we actually now have Nando’s here in Chicago, but because of Covid, it’s been quite a long time since we were able to go - and even longer since we were able to have it … [Read more...] about How To Make Your Own Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken At Home
Eating British in America: The Joys of Cider
Autumn is the time of year when our thoughts turn to apples. When I was growing up, that meant visiting apple orchards, drinking fresh apple cider, and making taffy apples. However, I’d never heard of hard cider until a trip to England in the early 1990s. In the British Isles, 'cider' refers to an alcoholic beverage made from fermented apple juice. It was the first thing I … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: The Joys of Cider
Anglophile Vignettes: These Chips Taste Funny
We were somewhere in Hampshire. We were hungry. It was Sunday. Nothing was really open. We had a two-year-old and a six-month-old baby with us in our hire car. We were already tired from already being in the car most of the day. We were far from any large towns with anything resembling fast food. Then it clicked with us; we could have Sunday roast. We just needed to find a pub … [Read more...] about Anglophile Vignettes: These Chips Taste Funny
Anglophile Vignettes: An Ode to Chunky Chips
My favorite British food is not what one would think. It’s not a meat pie. It’s not fried fish. It’s not roast. It’s not marmalade toast. It’s not lemon cake. I do love all of those things (well, except for the fish). No, my favorite British food is what they call fries - chips. But not just any chips. Because there are many different kinds of chips in Britain. No, … [Read more...] about Anglophile Vignettes: An Ode to Chunky Chips
The Brit Food Fiver – Five of Britain’s Strangest Foods
Every culture has its own unique dishes, but some can get a little on the weird side. Even in the United Kingdom, where the culinary arts are often stereotyped as being bad, there are a few dishes that don’t help this idea much. What follows below are some of the strangest foods in Britain, ones you might never consider eating, but should consider trying nonetheless. Of … [Read more...] about The Brit Food Fiver – Five of Britain’s Strangest Foods
Eating British in America: The CODFather, South Carolina’s Proper Chippy
Ask the average American what they know about British cuisine, and their answer will probably include fish and chips. According to the UK's National Federation of Fish Friers, there are more than 10,000 fish and chip shops in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These shops, which are often referred to as chippies, are the guardians of one of the UK's most popular … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: The CODFather, South Carolina’s Proper Chippy
Eating British in America: Stay-at-Home Baking for Anglophiles – Tips, Resources, and Share Your Bakes!
Have you been bitten by the baking bug? Baking has become an extraordinarily popular pastime during these “safer-at-home” days. Stores have been running out of flour as fast as they can stock it, and Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are filled with pictures of homemade bread, cakes, cookies, and other tempting treats. In my last column, Finding Comfort in a Cup of Tea, I wrote … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Stay-at-Home Baking for Anglophiles – Tips, Resources, and Share Your Bakes!
Eating British in America: Pancake Day and Easter Treats
This month I’m looking at Shrove Tuesday and Easter food traditions from the British Isles and sharing ideas for enjoying these traditions in America. You’re probably familiar with Shrove Tuesday, even if you don’t realize it. It’s the day before Ash Wednesday. In the United States, it’s better known as Fat Tuesday - the last day of Mardi Gras - but if you’re British, Shrove … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Pancake Day and Easter Treats
Great British Icons: McVitie’s Digestive Biscuits – The Best Biscuits?
When surveys are taken of the most popular sweet biscuits in the UK, several names vie for the top position. The usual winners are chocolate digestives and Jaffa cakes, with Hobnobs and plain digestive biscuits close behind. All these brands are made by United Biscuits, once known as McVitie & Price, a manufacturer with roots in the narrow streets of 19th century Edinburgh. … [Read more...] about Great British Icons: McVitie’s Digestive Biscuits – The Best Biscuits?
Eating British in America: The Enduring Popularity of the Pasty
Cornish pasties are hearty, hand-held pies traditionally filled with beef, potatoes, onions, and turnips (also known as swedes or rutabagas). I love the traditional filling, so that's what I stick with when I make them, but pasties come in a wide variety of flavors. For example, the Cornish Pasty Co. in Arizona makes traditional pasties and more than two dozen additional … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: The Enduring Popularity of the Pasty
Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 11 – British Food Discussion – Our Favorite Foods, Restaurants, and Fun Food Memories From Our Travels
In the eleventh episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, we discuss our favorite British foods, restaurants and share some funny food-related experiences we've had during our travels in Britain. NOTE: Apologies for the bad audio for the first 8 minutes or so, I had forgotten to hit record on the main microphone... Listen to the Podcast in the official Anglotopia Mobile App … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 11 – British Food Discussion – Our Favorite Foods, Restaurants, and Fun Food Memories From Our Travels
Eating British in America: Favorite Christmas Foods
British foods have been an important part of the Sehy family's Christmas celebrations for more than 30 years. We're particularly fond of sausage rolls and desserts like chocolate Yule logs and sherry trifle. Are you interested in adding more British foods to your holiday gatherings? Then read on for lots of ideas. TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS FOODS It would be easy to assume that … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Favorite Christmas Foods
A Brit Back Home: Come Back Thanksgiving, All Is Forgiven
Although Thanksgiving was never my favorite holiday in the States, I have written before about missing it on some level now that I’m back in the UK. Almost as soon as the kids went back to school after their half-term break in October, Christmas advertising and “stuff” has been seeping into our lives. (Have to say, not always a bad thing since the TV ads are usually very good … [Read more...] about A Brit Back Home: Come Back Thanksgiving, All Is Forgiven
Eating British in America: Tina’s Traditional Brings English Teatime to Indiana
No discussion of British food would be complete without a mention of afternoon tea. Many Americans consider it to be the quintessential English meal, and although few Brits sit down to lavish Downton Abbey-style spreads on a regular basis, tea and teatime treats are still a big part of the national psyche. This month I’m featuring Tina’s Traditional Tea Room, with locations in … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Tina’s Traditional Brings English Teatime to Indiana
Eating British in America: A Guide to Hearty Autumn British Fare
For my husband, autumn means it’s time to start making chili. As an Anglophile, I start thinking about hearty British dishes like bangers and mash, Cornish pasties, and shepherd’s pie. I’m sure many Anglotopia readers feel the same way, so this month’s column focuses on finding recipes and provisions to make your favorite British comfort foods at home. FINDING RECIPES I’ve … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: A Guide to Hearty Autumn British Fare
The Brit Fiver – Five of the Best British Gin Distilleries
Gin is a liquor made from juniper berries, and while it may have Dutch origins, today it is a very British drink. This can be owed to the British government at the turn of the 18th Century, which severely limited the imports of French brandy while simultaneously allowing unlicensed gin production. Today, distilling gin is perhaps more popular than ever, seeing a bump of new … [Read more...] about The Brit Fiver – Five of the Best British Gin Distilleries
Eating British in America: Balmoral Restaurant Brings Fine Scottish Dining to Illinois
I recently discovered an outstanding Scottish restaurant about 40 miles west of Chicago in Campton Hills, Illinois. Balmoral Restaurant just celebrated its first anniversary in July, and ordinarily, I wouldn't write about a place with such a short track record. However, when I dined there in June, I was so impressed with the quality of the food, the scope of the menu, and the … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Balmoral Restaurant Brings Fine Scottish Dining to Illinois
Eating British in America: The Queen Vic, A Small Slice of the UK in Washington DC
Do you love a good British pub? Then head to the Queen Vic in Washington, DC, where you’ll find a large selection of British beers, great pub grub, and a warm welcome from owners Ryan Gordon, his Welsh wife, Roneeka Bhagotra, and their friend, Kevin Bombardier. The hands-on trio opened the Queen Vic in 2011, and you’ll often find one of them on the premises, as I did when I … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: The Queen Vic, A Small Slice of the UK in Washington DC
Eating British in America: Myers of Keswick, New York City’s British Grocer
Anglophiles will revel in a visit to New York City’s venerable British grocery store, Myers of Keswick (pronounced ‘Kezzick’). The first thing that catches your eye as you approach the West Village store is the jaunty striped awning. Take a closer look and you’ll find that the windows are filled with beloved British products like Weetabix, HP Sauce, Bird’s custard, and Green’s … [Read more...] about Eating British in America: Myers of Keswick, New York City’s British Grocer
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
