As Britons finally bask in the long-awaited spring sun, there is only one suitable option for the return of alfresco dining: a so-called 'picky tea' littered with your favourite snacks.
Far from the simplicity of sausage rolls, meats and cheeses, the great British picnic has since grown in variety towards truffle-topped charcuterie, creatively flavoured crisps and sophisticated pastries. And the appetite for nibbly bits is certainly showing little sign of wavering as the warmer months creep in.
According to recent research conducted by M&S, 43 per cent of Britons indulge in a 'picky tea' once a week during the summer, as the hot weather makes people more inclined to favour a lighter meal. But as the nation's love for mini foods reaches delicious new heights, a number of seemingly bizarre confectionaries have been added into the mix, including pickles and sardines.
So, which food items are an absolute essential to your picnic-inspired meal and which would perhaps be better left on the supermarket shelf? According to etiquette expert Laura Windsor, the most 'tasteful' items should be 'satisfying without leaving you sluggish'. She told The Daily Mail: 'European picks are the more elegant and a good rule of thumb is to keep picks that are colourful, seasonal, and minimally handled.' Read on to discover whether your favourite 'picky bits' are 'elegant' and 'refined', or if they are 'dull' and should be avoided.
Tacky 'Picky Bits' Food Items to Avoid
Olives
While on paper, olives appear to be 'effortlessly sophisticated' and a staple part of a lighthearted meal, Laura advises against adding them to your playful 'picky tea'. She explained: 'In reality, you've got a room or garden full of people quietly negotiating on how to elegantly extract the stone and then there's where to leave it. Olive trees sprouting in your garden in large quantities much later? There's your answer.'
Miscellaneous Vegetables (e.g. carrots, cucumber, celery and radishes)
A fond favourite with the health lovers, it certainly is not uncommon to see miscellaneous vegetables scattered across a picky tea. Yet according to Laura, they should be avoided at all costs. She said: 'While healthy options, they are the social equivalent of sensible shoes. On a practical level, when left out in the sun for long periods, they tend to look slightly wilted and a bit leathery, never a good look. Surrounded by bolder and more delicious flavours nearby, they certainly won't be the life of the party so leave these for when you are alone and working out.'
Hard Boiled Eggs
'Nothing derails polite conversation like unexpected egg breath drifting through the air,' Laura advised. While a staple addition to salads, Laura is clear that they serve zero purpose in a 'picky tea' this summer. 'For those aiming for elegance, they've got all the finesse of someone turning up in swimming trunks to a cocktail party.'
Cream Cheese or Coleslaw Potato Salad
While a useful option if you have some spare cheese and potatoes in your cupboard that need using up, Laura suggests they may not be quite as appealing for a picky tea. She explained: 'These food items won't allow you to float through the afternoon without needing a lie down. Too creamy, slightly heavy-handed in stark contrast to foods that are light, bright, and digestible.'
Pesto
A fun dip for breadsticks and crackers? Pesto may seem like the ideal savoury dip or spread, but should sadly be eliminated from your picky bits shopping list. 'While Pesto may charm you with its Mediterranean flair, it's not a sophisticated choice for those who want to look effortlessly elegant when they smile,' Laura warned. 'A sophisticated host should know that pesto belongs at home with a mirror nearby.'
Onion Rings or Chicken Goujons
Food from an air fryer or freezer solves any woes if you are planning a 'picky tea' in a rush, but ultimately fail to hit the mark and create the desired effect of a fulfilling meal on a warm summer's day. Laura warned: 'Fried foods are not the kind of choices that support easy digestion or steady energy. They tend to leave you feeling and looking bloated and can contribute to unpleasant breath. Not the most elegant combination!'
Quiches and Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire Puddings may be popular with a Sunday roast, and quiches associated with a lighthearted summer meal, but Laura warns these items 'echo foods eaten during the Industrial Revolution by the working class who would return home to a substantial meal after long factory or manual labour shifts'. Describing such items as 'stodgy' and therefore undesirable, Laura suggested re-considering them as possibilities in your picky tea this summer. She added: 'There was nothing elegant about these stodgy foods - they were cheap, full of calories and filling.'
Scotch Eggs
While substantial and filling and containing the useful ability to be served warm or cold, these are a firm no if you want your picky tea to exude any sense of elegance and sophistication. 'Scotch eggs are good if you are about to storm a battlefield …but if your greatest physical challenge is maintaining eye contact while holding a glass of wine I would avoid this rather unsophisticated stodgy food,' Laura advised.
Pickles
Pickles are often a staple in a charcuterie board and appear to be a deceptively attractive savoury option to balance out the sweet. However, Laura advised against falling for the temptation of including a pickle in your picky tea. She advised: 'You may find yourself fighting back a pickle-or gherkin-fuelled burp or worse, acid reflux. Leave these stodgy foods for the winter in front of a cozy fire, when you are ready to fall asleep in front of the TV.'
Crackers
While combining a cracker with a light cheese or hummus sounds like fun, ultimately there are more exciting combinations than a simple cracker in your picky bits. Described as 'uninspiring, dry, tasteless and rather dull', Laura warns against including them. 'They require something strong like alcohol to distract from all three boring sensations,' Laura added.
Shrimps
Shrimps should only be included in your picky tea if they are done right, Laura advised. 'There are shrimps and there are shrimps! These are at their best when they're good quality and generously sized—avoid the tiny, potted-looking ones - here, size matters.'
Tasteful 'Picky Bits' Food Items to Include
Smoked Salmon
The creme de la creme of a picky tea - smoked salmon has the ability to effortlessly elevate your summer cuisine. 'Good smoked salmon has that cool, silky texture that feels almost effortless to eat, as it easily glides in your mouth - especially in warm weather,' Laura explained. 'The clean, lightly briny flavour pairs beautifully with lemon, dill, or just a bit of pepper.' When selecting your ultimate smoked salmon, Laura suggested opting for line-caught Norwegian delicacies. 'It's one of those foods that manages to feel a bit luxurious without the heaviness,' she praised.
Prosciutto
An easy winner, there is a reason why prosciutto is a must-have for a picky tea. Laura explained: 'Prosciutto is definitely one of those foods that wins people over quickly—salty, and delicately aged. And the label matters a lot - it's one of the most commonly imitated cured meats in Europe, so look out for the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label. Coupled with breadsticks - or rather - grissini - it is the best and most sophisticated combo. Sophistication is about choosing authentic products and calling them by their proper name.'
Couscous
Often seen in a salad or as a light side dish, couscous is not one to be underestimated when selecting your picky items this year. 'A Mediterranean fare, it has certainly earned its reputation of being both effortlessly elegant while provoking effortless satisfaction,' Laura explained. 'A perfectly acceptable pick - absorbing flavours well, so it can feel satisfying even with minimal seasoning.'
Brie, Feta and Goat's Cheese
Cheese lovers, look no further - these are the ultimate options when selecting your favourites this summer. Great for Brits who adore a slice of cheese, Laura praises this trio as 'excellent choices' which provide a 'suitably refined' meal for picky tea.
Pizza
Easy to prepare, and a filling snack, Laura is clear that pizza is a sure crowd pleaser. However, she advises taking into consideration how you present your slices of the good stuff. She explained: 'There is such a thing as an elegant, well-crafted pizza, and then there are the nondescript versions—dry or soggy or overcooked in the oven—that are hardly worth the plate they're served on!'
Crisps
Offering a delightful crunch and the ability to mix sweet and savoury dips, crisps are an absolutely essential component to a picky tea. From expensive options to cheap, there is certainly a flavour for everyone that is bound to delight the taste buds. 'Crisps, especially those with ridges, wedges, or unusual shapes, add a touch of class and texture, making them a refined addition when chosen well,' Laura added.
Miscellaneous Fruits
While miscellaneous vegetables are slightly less well-received, a variety of fruit is a 'timeless' selection for your picky tea. In particular, a selection of 'grapes, pears and figs' are a perfect combination to hit that sweet spot, creating a nice contrast with the sweet and savoury selection of meat and cheeses. 'You can rarely go wrong with them,' said Laura. 'Historically, fruit has often featured in the grand table displays of royal households, symbolising abundance, refinement, and elegance.'
Lettuce
Don't be fooled - while lettuce left to its own devices appears rather 'uninspiring', Laura suggests combining it with a number of 'other ingredients' to create a tasty delicacy. She explained: 'Avoid pre-cut, bagged varieties - just a little TLC - washing cutting preparing goes a long way to achieving elegance.'
The Ultimate Picky Bits Guide - Food Items Ranked from Tasteful to Tacky
- Smoked salmon
- Prosciutto/Parma ham
- Miscellaneous fruit (grapes, pears, figs)
- Couscous
- Hummus
- Breadsticks
- Pizza slices
- 'Posh' crisps
- Brie
- Feta
- Goats cheese
- Prawns, the proper ones
- Olives
- Stuffed peppers
- Lettuce
- Baba Ganoush
- Tzatziki
- Sausage rolls
- Celery
- Chili Jam
- Cheddar
- Quiche
- Coleslaw
- Plain crackers
- Cream cheese
- Scotch eggs
- Miscellaneous vegetables (carrots, cucumber, radishes)
- Pickles
- Pesto
- Sardines
- Mini Yorkshire puddings
- Potato salad
- Hard boiled eggs
- Gherkins
- Bread rolls
- Potato waffles
- Onion rings
- Chicken goujons
