Does how a sandwich is cut affect the taste?
We all know that triangular sandwiches taste the best don’t we? Shockingly, only 30% of people believe this to be true, however according to a new survey.
Almost two-thirds of Irish people (63%) believe the way a sandwich is cut actually affects how good it tastes, and triangles emerged as the winning shape (30%), followed by rectangles (13%) and squares (11%).
That’s according to Ireland’s first Sandwich Census, new research commissioned by the Irish Bread Bakers Association (IBBA), revealing the habits, preferences and surprisingly strong opinions behind one of Ireland’s most familiar foods.
Fronted by well-known broadcaster Carl Mullan, the Sandwich Census comes from the views of 1,000 adults in August.
IBBA’s new research reveals all, including the sandwich habits that are likely to earn you some disapproving looks. Removing the crusts and toasting a sandwich with lettuce inside jointly top the list, with 18% admitting they judge people for each offence. Barely adding any filling and using too much butter follow at 16%, while 15% take issue with particularly strong-smelling fillings.
Perhaps the biggest argument of all centres on one much-maligned slice of bread: the heel of the loaf. Just over half of Irish people (52%) say using the heel for a sandwich is perfectly acceptable, while 34% will allow it when there is no other bread left and 14% say the heel should never be used.
National sandwich
When respondents were asked which sandwich they thought should be considered Ireland’s national sandwich, the crisp sandwich was the most popular choice at 25%, ahead of ham and cheese at 16%, and chicken and stuffing at 9%.
And among those choosing a crisp flavour for a crisp sandwich, there was a much clearer consensus: 56% chose cheese and onion, compared with just 11% for salt and vinegar, 9% for smoky bacon and 7% for ready salted.
Carl Mullan, Ireland’s Official Sliced Pan Ambassador, commented on the findings: “I’m completely with Ireland on the triangle debate – a sandwich just tastes better cut that way and I won’t hear otherwise.
“I’m firmly in the camp that the heel is fair game. I know that would horrify some people, but that’s exactly why this campaign is such good fun, everyone has their own sandwich rules and everyone is convinced theirs are the right ones.”
Oonagh Monahan, Chartered Food Scientist and spokesperson for the Irish Bread Bakers Association, said: “What this research really brings to life is that different households have different preferences, habits and ways of preparing their sandwiches, with sliced bread providing a practical base for that variety.”
The new campaign from IBBA will see findings from the Census shared through @irishdailybread on Instagram, with followers invited to weigh in on some of Ireland’s biggest sandwich debates and share their own sandwich rules.