Strawberries and cream has been officially crowned the undisputed taste of British summer, according to a new poll. The iconic combination trumps all seasonal favourites, with nearly seven in 10 people naming it the flavour that screams British summer louder than any other.
Summer Favourites Dethroned
The survey, conducted by confectionary brand Cadbury, found that strawberries and cream beat summery staples including orange ice lollies (64 percent), sizzling BBQ sausages (49 percent), refreshing lemonade (44 percent), and even seaside fish and chips (29 percent). Other flavours that instantly evoke UK summers include candy floss, buttery corn on the cob, trifle, and Ploughman's lunches. However, an overwhelming 67 percent of respondents said strawberries and cream is the flavour they most closely associate with British summertime.
Nostalgia and Tradition
More than half of the nation admit they indulge in the classic pairing every single summer. For many, the flavour is deeply nostalgic: nearly half (46 percent) say it reminds them of childhood strawberry picking, while four in 10 associate it with Wimbledon. Professor Charles Spence, an Oxford University don and taste expert, explained the historical and sensory appeal. "The English craze for strawberries is thought to have begun early in the 19th century," he said. "While wild berries were eaten in medieval times, the market really exploded when large, sweet American and French hybrid varieties were successfully cross bred, transforming the fruit into a national sensation in Britain."
Professor Spence added, "The research supports what we know to be true: that there is little more reminiscent of the English summer than the smell and sweet taste of a perfectly ripe strawberry. The distinctive smell results from the combination of more than 350 different volatile aromas. One key aroma is furaneol, which provides the signature sweet, caramel, and jammy notes in strawberries. This distinctive smell and taste is so comforting. While perhaps not top of many people's lists of comfort foods, it is a very nostalgic scent, redolent of summer picnics, garden parties, tennis, and other outdoor sunny British traditions."
The Science of Summer Flavours
Experts suggest that warmer weather can actually heighten our perception of sweet and fresh flavours, helping explain why strawberries and cream hits differently in the sunshine. The study was commissioned by Cadbury to celebrate the launch of their new limited-edition Dairy Milk Strawberries & Creme Frappe bar.
