Have you ever wondered how some of your favourite foods came to be discovered or invented?
Here are ten interesting facts (or myths) about British food, some going back to Roman times:
1. It was the Romans who made oysters popular in Britain and were responsible for establishing their cultivation . The rich waters of Camulodunum (Colchester today) are ideal for cultivating the delicious Colchester oysters .
2. In Spring, you can trace the routes of the Roman Army through the south of England by following the white blossom on tall, wild cherry trees. Roman soldiers brought cherries from Italy and spat the pips out as they marched.
3. The world’s most eaten ‘convenience’ food, the humble sandwich was named after an English aristocrat. The Earl of Sandwich had such a passion for gambling, that he didn’t want to have to stop playing – gambling addiction? To ensure his game was not interrupted and to keep his hands clean for the cards, the Earl of Sandwich asked for meat to be put between two slices of bread.
4. King James I of England and VI of Scotland imported 10,000 mulberry trees to start a silk industry. Unfortunately, he ordered the wrong variety and the silk worms wouldn’t eat the leaves. The mulberry tree ‘berries,’ however, made excellent jam.