Bacon, sausage, eggs and beans are the undisputed staples of the full English breakfast, but another ingredient has proved much more controversial.
Hash browns are now fighting for a spot on the plate, as the English Breakfast Society says the fried potato treat doesn’t “belong” in a bake — and should be replaced with bubbling and squeaking.
Guise Bule de Missenden, founder of the English Breakfast Society, said The times: “Someone had to stand firm. Otherwise we will soon find kebab meat in our English breakfast.
“The hash brown – the reconstituted, tater tot-based fast food – was popularized by McDonald’s, but somehow we find it in our English breakfast.”
A 2017 YouGov poll found that bacon is the most important part of a full English breakfast, showing that ingredient is the most important part of a fry.
The survey found it to be the most important part of a full English breakfast, with 89% of Britons saying it would be on their ideal plate, while only 60% thought hash browns were crucial.
The YouGov survey identified the core ingredients of a decent full English, with 60% saying bacon is an important part of their full English breakfast. Besides bacon, the other top ingredients are sausage (82%), toast (73%), beans (71%), fried egg (65%) and hash brown (60%)
The English Breakfast Society – dedicated to the history and tradition of the full English breakfast – says the beloved baked potato “doesn’t belong” on a griddle (File image)
He continued, “We are all about bringing the bubble back. That’s why we say no to hash browns. Hashtag, return the bubble.”
The campaign group includes bacon, eggs, British sausage, baked beans, fried tomato, fried mushrooms, black pudding and fried and toasted bread among the usual breakfast staples.
The association dedicated to the history and tradition of the full English breakfast wrote on Twitter that they are fighting ‘to give back to the people’ bubbles and squeaks, what they have described as ‘a tastier and more authentic British potato cake’.
In a separate Tweet, they wrote, “PSA: The frozen hash brown was popularized by McDonalds.
“Serving them to customers during your English breakfast as a lazy substitute for ringing and beeping shows that you have no respect for tradition, your customers and your country. Do it better.’
Their outrage follows a YouGov poll that found bacon to be the most important part of a full English breakfast.
The survey found it to be the most important part of a full English breakfast, with 89% of Britons saying it would be on their ideal plate.
The research also identified the core ingredients of a decent English, with six foods considered essential to their ideal breakfast by more than half of people.
In addition to bacon, these include sausage (82%), toast (73%), beans (71%), fried egg (65%), and hash brown (60%).
On social media, however, Britons are divided on whether the hash brown really deserves a place on the plate.
Some defended the crispy potato treat, others wholeheartedly agreed with the campaign.
Hash browns, however, are an ingredient that many believe does not belong in a traditional English breakfast, says the English Breakfast Society, believing that the hallmark of a true English breakfast is local or regional ingredients.
One person wrote on Twitter, “Not sure it’s that simple. The problem you can’t ignore is that frozen hash browns, when cooked properly, are delicious and a perfect accompaniment. Most cafes now offer hash browns. Are they really a no?’
A second said, ‘I’m English and I love hash browns and hate ringing and beeping. See, I said it. Out and proud!’
And a third said, “There are those of us who really don’t like B&S, but do like hash brown in any form. Frozen directly in the hot air fryer, job done. Can also be used as a bean break for the ramekin deniers out there.”
While another defended bubble and beep, saying, “Very true!” Bells and beeps should always appear as an option on an English breakfast menu.’
And another person said they didn’t like the hash brown and wrote, “A crime against the cooked breakfast.”
But another person was totally confused about why hash browns are an option at all, writing, “What’s weird is if you order hash browns at a restaurant in America, you never get one.” Then you get real potato cubes.’
And despite the internet being divided on the hash brown row, the English Breakfast has been around for a long time.
The roots of this popular cuisine date back to the 14th or 15th century, with the Landed Gentry and their grand hunting breakfasts, before being adopted by the middle and upper class Victorians, according to the English Breakfast Society.
There are several variants of the greasy meal in the UK and Ireland, with different ingredients making up the basic breakfast.
Hash browns, however, are an ingredient that many believe does not belong in a traditional English breakfast, says the English Breakfast Society, believing that the hallmark of a true English breakfast is local or regional ingredients.
They first appeared on New York City breakfast menus in the 1890s and were later adapted into the British breakfast—to the dismay of many.