A 'shivery bite' is a Scottish seaside tradition of eating a sweet treat immediately after a cold swim, a ritual that dates back more than 100 years and is now enjoyed by cold water swimmers across the UK.
What is a shivery bite?
The expression describes a mouthful of food taken after a cold bath or dip in the sea to help minimise any chilly shivers. The ritual is simple: after plunging into freezing cold water, one must immediately have a sweet treat, such as a chocolate digestive or a Twirl, often enjoyed huddled on a windy beach.
The phrase has wholesome origins in Scottish tradition. One of the first Scottish texts to reference the ritual was published in 1890, when author Andrew J. Armstrong wrote 'shiverin'-bites-a-dinin' in his book Ingleside Musings: Tales Told in Rhyme. Over the years, the phrase has retained the same meaning.
Why has it become popular?
With Scottish sea temperatures typically around 12°C, it is almost impossible to emerge from the water without shivering. One of the first times a Scot might enjoy a shivery bite is on The Loony Dock, a cherished annual tradition held each year on January 1, where people plunge into freezing cold water to celebrate the New Year.
Outside of this annual festival, cold water swimming has become part of many Brits' daily routines, fuelled by the nation's growing interest in wellness. According to Swim England, over a million people regularly swim outdoors, with enthusiasts willing to sacrifice feeling in their fingers in the hope of reaping physical benefits, which are said to include improved circulation, a strengthened immune response and reduced inflammation in the muscles and joints.
What makes the perfect shivery bite?
According to research by Walker's Shortbread, while over a third of Brits love going for a 20-30 minute paddle at the beach, hardly anybody has ever heard of this wholesome Scottish tradition. The point of a shivery bite is that it can be anything you like: a packet of crisps, some Haribo, or even a pot of premium M&S olives.
