A staggering seven out of 10 Brits are up for expanding their palette when on holiday, with durian fruit, lions mane mushrooms and sea urchin some of the exotic delicacies Brits are keen to try.
Conducted on 2,000 adults, the survey discovered that half of the respondents become more daring with their diet while on holiday, with 43% shunning the traditional toast in favour of local breakfast options.
When it comes to culinary inspiration, British food lovers are more influenced by their travels (24%) than friends’ suggestions (21%) or social media trends (21%). An appetite for adventure has 30% of survey participants willing to travel the globe just to savour specific dishes.
With that said, 39% of Britons see themselves as adventurous eaters, with 82% of these food enthusiasts believing that diverse food choices spice up their meals. Moreover, two thirds (66%) of the population indulge in one to four different international cuisines weekly.
Adventurous appetites extend to wild rice for nearly a third (29%) and even fermented egg for a brave 4%. Other exotic dishes on the menu include raw fish and the world’s spiciest chilli.
The research, commissioned by rice brand Tilda to mark the launch of its new ready-to-heat rice flavours, such as Saag Aloo Rice and Garlic and Herb Rice, highlights the British desire for international flavours.
Anna Beheshti, a spokesperson for Tilda, commented: “Travel offers a rich tapestry of culinary delights, each one a new adventure waiting to be tasted. Our research reveals that Brits are eager to try new foods while travelling, and this eagerness extends to when they’re home too.”
Beheshti noted that while many are eager to jet set across the globe, it’s just as important for Brits to be able to experience global cuisine at their local supermarket – a more convenient route of adventure.
And it seems Brits are already spicing up their culinary skills, nearly half of those surveyed (47%) are eager to whip up exotic dishes in their own kitchens a figure that soars to 65% among 18-24 year-olds.
With easy access to a wide range of delicacies, 65% of Britons believe they’re far more daring with their diet than their parents ever were, with even 51% considering themselves ‘culture vultures’.
Of those delicacies, Caribbean flavours are the most sought-after for UK foodies, with 17% looking to try the cuisine, closely followed by Malaysian delights at 14%. Korean cuisine is on the menu for an adventurous 14%, while Brazilian dishes are tempting 13% of the population.
Speaking for Tilda, which offers a range of 27 global flavours to UK households, Anna Beheshti said: “It’s inspiring to see so many people eager to explore the world of exotic cooking at home.”
She also noted: “Social pages are a fantastic source of kitchen inspiration, but you don’t need to journey far or eat unusual ingredients to embark on a culinary adventure.”
