Brits Swap Coleslaw for Olives as Picky Season Gets Mediterranean Makeover

A nationwide survey has discovered that June is the month the nation officially switches their ovens off, replacing cooked evening meals with 'picky bits' at least three times weekly on average. However, new research has shown what we consume in summer is dramatically shifting.

Traditional Picky Bits Losing Favour

According to the results, traditional British 'picky bits' including corned beef, coleslaw, and sandwich spreads are losing popularity. Instead, 83% say the conventional 'picky tea' has undergone a Mediterranean transformation. We're also dining later, with 8pm becoming the new British summer supper time for Gen Z.

With supermarket aisles now brimming with continental deli choices that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago, eight in ten believe that 'picky bits' have transformed considerably from the beige processed foods they once were.

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Survey Highlights

In fact, one in three consider the notion of having white sliced bread outdated, and 21% think mini gherkins are somewhat old school. Instead, foods such as Serrano ham, falafel, and frittata now represent the ideal summer spread. The study also revealed that our passion for olives is boundless, with 22% believing they instantly lend everything a more sophisticated and Mediterranean feel, while 17% confess nothing beats olives on a warm, sunny day.

This was followed in the survey of 2,000 Brits by chorizo, salami, stuffed peppers, prosciutto, Spanish tortilla, flat breads, croquettes, and Patatas Bravas.

Expert Insight

Renowned food expert and chef Omar Allibhoy says the shift reflects decades of changing tastes and travel: 'Picky bits have come a long way from their humble beginnings, evolving from making a meal with whatever is in the fridge to fresher, simply prepared and lighter tapas-style dinners when it's too hot to cook and we are all too tired from our busy modern lives. Most of us are well-travelled and have tried many foods from around the world, particularly from the Mediterranean countries we visit most often as Brits.'

He continues: 'More frequently we now have the appetite at home to have a taste of those flavours we had while on holidays, that transport us there even if for a second, we want to feel as if we are on holidays. With tapas, it's about placing shared plates in the centre of the table and coming together to enjoy them as a family.'

Allibhoy adds: 'Over time the UK supermarket shelves have filled with the Mediterranean flavours. At first, it was mostly Italian and French, then Spanish took over. This reflects the public's demand for Mediterranean flavours that are easy and quick to rustle up and have your dinner ready in minutes. This demand is combined with a yearning for those days in Spain—the sun, having a great time on holiday and loving life to its fullest.'

Reasons for the Shift

One in three say a picky tea is ideal when it's too hot and sticky to switch the oven on, while 25% favour it when they simply can't face cooking. A further 23% say it suits their summer lifestyle perfectly. Moreover, sharing meals and spending quality time eating with others appears to become a priority during the warmer months. A whopping 84% enjoy sharing food and believe it tastes better when enjoyed with friends and family. Gen Z are most likely to describe themselves as sharers when it comes to food (85%), while those aged over 60 are least inclined to share.