The UK’s Favourite Flavours

A new study reveals that cheddar cheese is the nation’s favourite flavour, beating curry, bacon and chocolate – even 81 percent say that an adventurous palate is a big attraction in a partner.

Researchers polled Brits, asking them to vote for the tastes which bring them the most pleasure, with the sharp tang of a mature cheddar coming top of the list (54 percent).

Cheese loving Brits also placed PARMESAN in the top 20 list, alongside the notes of a tikka masala (36 percent), garlic (39 percent) and salt & vinegar crisps (34 percent).

In fact, the sweet taste of chocolate, only came eleventh in the list.

Brits also love the spicy taste of jerk chicken (24 percent), a creamy slice of carrot cake (32 percent), and the taste of fresh mango (32 percent).

The study found smoked salmon (30 percent), pork crackling (26 percent) and smoked paprika (24 percent) are also flavours favoured by many.

Also on the list were fizzy cola bottles, Greek yoghurt and maple syrup.

The study, which was commissioned by Pukka to celebrate the launch of its new World Flavours range found, as a nation, we’re spicing up our plates, with nearly two thirds (67 percent) saying they love spicy flavours.

Gen Z and Millennials are the biggest spice seekers, with nearly three quarters (73 percent) embracing the heat.

Nearly half (49 percent) of Brits say they are more adventurous with their food choices, while a third (34 percent) are more inclined to sample foods from different countries.

When it comes to world flavours, Chinese came top (46 percent), while Indian (40 percent), Italian (36 percent), Mexican (23 percent) and Greek (15 percent) are also popular.

Regionally, the spiciest city is Swansea where 33 percent of people say they LOVE it hot, followed by Birmingham (33 percent), Leeds (32 percent) and London (31 percent).

The Pukka World Flavours range brings bold and iconic recipes inspired by the flavours of Jamaica, Mexico and India to the UK and will be available to try at Spitalfields Market London on Wednesday 20th November 2024. Pukka has launched a new range of grab-and-go World Flavours parcels consisting of Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Mexican Beef and Indian Spiced Vegetable.

25 GREATEST FLAVOURS, ACCORDING TO BRITS

1. Cheddar cheese – 54%
2. Curry – 49%
3. Bacon – 49%
4. Strawberries – 47%
5. Honey – 40%
6. Garlic – 39%
7. Tikka Masala – 36%
8. Salt and vinegar crisps – 34%
9. Chocolate – 33%
10. Carrot cake – 32%
11. Mango – 32%
12. Sweet popcorn – 32%
13. Watermelon – 31%
14. Smoked salmon – 30%
15. Fizzy cola bottles – 29%
16. Parmesan cheese – 28%
17. Pork crackling – 26%
18. Maple syrup – 25%
19. Jerk chicken – 24%
20. Smoked paprika – 24%

This research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by Pukka and conducted by Perspectus Global during October 2024.