Salty porridge, chocolate paired with crisps, and strawberries with balsamic vinegar are among some of the nation's quirkiest sweet and savoury food combinations.
A study of 2,000 adults found that 63% of Brits love to get a bit creative when it comes to mixing unusual foods for a snack – and seek a hit of both sweet and salty flavours.
Fruit seems to be a popular base for out-of-the-ordinary food pairings – with apple and cheddar cheese, melon and prosciutto, and watermelon with feta named among the favourites.
Other unique concoctions include milkshake and fries, mince pies topped with cheese, and salt mixed with porridge.
However, 31% have a firm ritual for the way they eat their snacks, while half (48%) prefer to stick with simpler flavours.
The research was commissioned by the cookie brand, OREO, to mark the launch of its new #OREOtwists campaign – which celebrates and debates the different ways people enjoy eating the iconic black and white cookie.
When quizzed on why biscuits and cookies make the ideal base for twisted snacking combinations, 67% said due to their crunchy texture, while 56% appreciated their solid, flat structure.
Hilarious brother duo Adam and Ryan Thomas have tried some of the nation’s favourite twists, including biscuits dipped in orange juice and dunked in custard.
Ryan Thomas said: “I’ve always been a big fan of experimenting with different twists on my favourite snacks, and I'm loving testing out some mind-blowing flavour mash-ups.
“I’m definitely Team Swalty all the way.”
Adam Thomas said: “My brother and I have always enjoyed a bit of banter in the kitchen – it’s got to be Team Sweet for me.”
The study also found 81% actively look for inspiration when it comes to trying new food twists, and nearly half (45%) love to test out new flavour combinations they see online.
More than two-thirds of “culinary creators” are keen for friends (66%) and family (60%) to try their pairings.
However, some need a little encouragement when it comes to sharing – as less than half claim they feel comfortable sharing their unusual snacking combinations with others (46%).
It also emerged 56% trial different ways to eat their snacks, choosing to create their own rituals for eating their favourite foods.
And when it comes to the sweet and salty debate, a fifth are team “swalty” – choosing snacks which play on both flavour combinations.
But three in ten (29%) of those surveyed, via OnePoll, opt for team savoury, while only 17% prefer sweet.
Katya Savelieva, spokeswoman for OREO UK at Mondelēz International, said: “We know OREO fans have a lot of fun with the way they eat our iconic cookie, and we are proud to celebrate this with our #OREOtwists campaign.
“Whether they’re part of the “eat it in one bite” crew, like a third of the nation, or in the “twist and lick” brigade as a quarter are, the nation has come together in telling us about their favourite base for playful flavour combinations.”
TOP 20 UNUSUAL FOOD PAIRINGS:
- Cheddar cheese and apple
- Bacon with maple syrup
- Mixing mayonnaise and ketchup together
- Prosciutto and melon
- Chocolate and crisps
- Ham marinated and cooked in Cola
- Honey and cheese
- Salt and porridge
- Strawberries and balsamic vinegar
- Watermelon and feta
- Strawberry and basil
- Milkshake and fries/crisps
- Salad cream on a cheese pizza
- Cheese and strawberry jam sandwiches
- Instant noodles on toast
- Salami with grapes
- Mince pies topped with cheese
- Mayonnaise on a roast dinner
- Mango and chili powder
- Dipping toast into tea
