More than 15 million Britons admit their everyday meals lack excitement, with nearly a quarter consuming uninspiring dishes several times a week, according to a new survey. The research, commissioned by Lurpak, has identified the top ten blandest foods in the UK, with plain pasta taking the top spot.
Britain's Blandest Foods Revealed
A survey of 2,000 adults found that plain pasta, boiled rice, and rice cakes top the list of Britain's blandest foods, despite their widespread popularity. Tofu, couscous, and boiled potatoes also feature in the top ten, alongside the traditional jacket potato. The full ranking is as follows:
- Plain pasta
- Boiled rice
- Rice cakes
- Plain oats
- Plain tofu
- Plain couscous
- Boiled potatoes
- Jacket potato (no butter or filling)
- Boiled lentils
- Plain quinoa
Desire for More Exciting Flavours
Some 54% of respondents said they wished their everyday meals felt more exciting, while 31% confessed they want to be more adventurous with flavour but are unsure how to begin. Meanwhile, 69% reported that having a new or exciting meal to look forward to lifts their mood. The research also revealed that 28% feel less enthusiastic about eating when meals are repetitive or lacking in taste.
Gen Z and Food Inspiration
The study found that 66% of Gen Z spend more time consuming food content than any other generation, yet they bookmark recipes from social media without ever making them – with 45% admitting they don't know where to begin. However, 70% of Gen Z find trying new flavours inspiring, and 72% consider themselves experimental when it comes to cooking, the highest of any age group.
'Bland' Declared a Sixth Flavour
Lurpak has partnered with food scientist Natalie Alibrandi to recognise 'bland' as a sixth distinct flavour state, alongside sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. Alibrandi explained: "Bland food is not always food with no taste; often, it is food where there is no flavour strong enough to take the lead. A lot of everyday meals are perfectly good starting points; they may just need one flavour moment to bring them to life – for example, that could be aroma, heat or texture."
She added: "Flavour is functional – it helps to tell the brain what has been eaten, signals that a meal is complete, and triggers the reward response that makes food feel satisfying. 'Bland' is more than just boring – it's a real flavour experience when food is low on the things that make eating enjoyable, like aroma, richness, texture and depth. That means meals can leave people feeling less rewarded and less satisfied."
Flavour-Rich Meals Create Stronger Memories
The study also revealed that 67% of Brits said flavour-rich meals generate stronger or more vivid memories. Additionally, 56% claimed that satisfying, tasty food curbs cravings and makes the dining experience more memorable.
Lurpak's New Product Launch
Catriona Mantle, a spokesperson for Lurpak, which has marked the launch of its new Chilli & Garlic flavoured butter with the 'Haus of Flavour', an immersive experience in Kingsland Road on 27th May, said: "Let's face it, everyday meals are often built around the same familiar favourites. There is nothing wrong with that – but sometimes the food we rely on most could do with a little more flavour. The answer to bland food is not always more effort; sometimes it is about choosing one ingredient that can do more of the heavy lifting.
"With the launch of our new butter, we want to help people bring more richness, heat and savoury depth to the meals they already make, without needing to completely rethink how they cook. Because everyday food should not just fill you up; it should be something you really look forward to eating."
