Cottage pie has been revealed as the nation’s favourite pie according to data from BBC Good Food. The beef mince pie topped with mashed potato was named joint favourite with the classic chicken pie, with both accounting for 31% of pie-based online searches. This research has been carried out as part of British Pie Week, which runs until 8 March.
Pies have always been a staple of British culture and now we know what the UK’s preferences are when it comes to the classic comfort food. Based on research by Leeds-based media agency Blueclaw, who looked at Google trend data alongside BBC Good Food’s favourite pie recipes, the data also shows that apple pie accounts for 16% of searches. There was also shown to be an overall preference towards savoury fillings over sweet.
Cottage pie was invented in the UK in late 18th century and is so-called due to its mashed potato topping. At the time, potatoes were being more widely introduced as an affordable everyday food, meaning that poorer people who traditionally lived in cottages could enjoy this pie too. Since then cottage pie has become a regular appearance on the menus of pubs and home kitchens alike. However, the lack of pastry anywhere in this pie makes this a potentially controversial revelation.
Blueclaw’s data has also revealed that Britain’s pie preferences vary from place to place, with steak and ale pie proving a firm winner in Scotland with 33% of the vote. However, with cottage pie a landslide winner in Wales with 38%, it’s perhaps our Welsh friends who are pushing up the overall statistic.
Rapper Stormzy won’t have any trouble getting his hands on as many pies and baked goods as he wants, after he was given the first ever Greggs black card last month.
If you’re now craving a pie, check out our guide to the best pies in London.