Cultural Matters: Scottish & British Food

One of the joys of traveling is discovering new foods and treats. In Britain -- and especially Scotland -- there are plenty of opportunities. From snacks to meals to tea to desserts, we will discover all types of culinary delights. Below are few of the classic foods to expect while traveling in Great Britain.

Fish and Chips

The classic British meal. Usually made from cod (though sometimes other white-fleshed fish such as haddock or whiting), it is traditionally served wrapped in paper (newsprint in the past) with fries (chips in Britain). Although served in many pubs and restaurants, the best come from the traditional "chip shop", which are becoming increasingly rare to find.

Bangers and mash

My personal favorite, this dish is a pub staple. (The above was my lunch at the Queen's Head Pub back in June 2010 in Downe, England). Basically it is mashed potatoes, Cumberland sausages, and gravy.

Steak and Ale Pie

The British are enthusiastic consumers of various pies and pasties (think pot pies). A popular one is the steak and ale pie (such as the one above from Battle, East Sussex, England that I had for lunch in June 2010.) For those in a hurry, pasties are always a good choice (think a hand-held version of the pot pie):

Haggis

Probably the most discussed Scottish dish for American travelers. While brave souls -- such as the Bainbridge College student above back in Summer 2010 who is enjoying a haggis burger -- are rewarded for the daring, many are turned off both its appearance and ingredients.

A Haggis hamburger in Edinburgh, July 16 2010

Above is the traditional version which is comprised of (Warning! Stop reading if you eating habits are not too adventuresome) sheep's heart, lungs and liver ('pluck') mixed with onions, oatmeal, spices, and salt and cooked in the sheep's stomach. In theory, not much different from a sausage, but it has a looser consistency and less visual appeal to most Americans. For the squeamish, you may want to try the candy version of haggis:

Fried Mars Bars (and pizzas, fish, sausages, etc)

Many Scots do not claim this -- saying it's only for tourists--but the fact remains that many Scots prefer their foods fried. This is especially the case in Glasgow. And while definitely not healthy eating, a slice of fried pizza is actually quite good.

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Tatties and Neeps

This is a staple Scottish side dish. Simply, it is mashed potatoes (tatties) and (turnips).

Sauces

While mustard and ketchup is common in Britain, they also utilize many other sauces that may less familiar to us yanks. These include the ever popular Brown Sauce (aptly named), mint sauce, curry (Indian-spiced gravy), brown gravy, and malt vinegar (perfect with fish and chips.) While mayonnaise may be familiar to most Americans, the liberal use of it in Britain may come as a surprise to many visitors.

Mushy peas

More common in rural areas, mushy peas is as ubiquitous as green beans or fries are in the U.S. For many (myself included) the baby food consistency can take some getting used to.

Puddings

In Britain, pudding is a generic word for sweet or dessert. Biscuits (cookies), scones, cakes, and other sweets are commonly served after meals or with hot tea.

Crisps

Crisps are potato chips, but many of the flavors are uniquely British (though rarely as exotic tasting as their names imply).

Irn Bru

Sodas and energy drinks are common throughout the British isles. In addition to Coke and Pepsi, which are readily available, there are many other unique bubbly beverages. Above is the unofficial national drink of Scotland (along with Scotch) -- Irn Bru (pronounced "Iron Brew"). A less syrupy orange soda that is made near Glasgow, it began production in 1901.