Could you tell the difference between a meal prepared in Kent and another cooked up in Yorkshire? According to a taste test by the National Trust, there’s a single, standout flavour for every region in the UK which is as distinct as the local accent.
However, the Trust is warning that regional foods risk becoming extinct because the nation is losing the ability to taste complex and varied flavours... and if we cannot taste them, we are less likely to prepare meals which include them. Fiona Reynolds, Director-General, said: “Taste is something we’re losing, because too many of our meals are packed with additives and flavourings. And because many of us don’t see food production for ourselves, we’re losing contact with where food comes from – and its distinctive taste. Reconnecting with our taste buds and the land around us means we are ensuring a bounty of tasty local produce for generations to come.”
Working with four taste experts, the National Trust revealed that each of the UK’s counties has a unique essence. The south east’s primary flavour turned out to be ‘vivid and fresh’, no doubt reflecting Kent’s abundance of orchards, seafood, and farm produce.