Bacon, pork sausages, white sliced bread and baked beans are amongst the most popular traditionally British foods sold in France, yet that is a very short answer to what is actually a fairly complicated question.
The Trading Post provide a large number of Tour Operators, hotels, chalets, restaurants and cafes with all kinds of products, but whilst they might choose different goods in general, breakfast items are taken by very a large proportion of them, making sure the ingredients for classic full cooked breakfast are well-represented. This is exacerbated by the fact that we sell only a small number of pack sizes for back bacon, whereas there could be around 80 types of chocolate on sale at a given moment. We also sell an astronomical number of eggs, but you can hardly call those exclusively British. Because The Trading Post have many different types of customers (supermarkets, catering businesses, normal retail customers, etc…) it is worth looking at what British goods are generally popular for different groups.
For our retail customers, which includes a large number of British expats (as well as other EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and American expats), people who have spent time in the UK and many people who enjoy the varied International goods and dietary-specific products we provide, there are a few main trends. Confectionery is a big seller although, as mentioned earlier, there is a large number of options on this front. The various types of Cadbury Dairy Milk (e.g. Dairy Milk Caramel, Dairy Milk Fruit & Nut, Dairy Milk Wholenut, Dairy Milk with Crunchie Bits….) are always popular, with these items being particularly in demand around Christmas and Easter. Seasonal chocolates, such as Cadbury Crème Eggs, Mini Eggs and Terry’s Chocolate Orange absolutely fly off the shelves at certain times of the year which makes them (temporarily at least) some of the best-selling British products in France. The fact that EVERYONE (supermarkets, British shops, wholesalers, retail customers and even hotels and bars) wants Cadbury Crème Eggs at EXACTLY the same time, with a much-reduced (but still healthy) demand after Easter, makes it very difficult to predict sales… even after nearly 20 years of selling them!
Retail customers and specific business also have a strong demand for products that satisfy a dietary needs, such as vegetarianism, veganism and gluten-free diets. Linda McCartney burgers and sausages are always popular, but the figures are slightly skewed by the demand from restaurants who buy them in bulk. If we factor out the mass catering requirements of big business, Quorn Vegan Pieces, Linda McCartney sausage rolls, pulled “pork” and “chicken” burgers are probably equally as important to retail customers across France. Frozen vegan pies from Pukka and vegan Cornish pasties from Proper Cornish are probably high on the list. Last, but not least, Doves Farm’s Freee gluten-free products are also big sellers but, once again, we have such a large range it is difficult to pick only one item that “tops the charts.”
As The Trading Post also provides a wide selection of goods to supermarkets across France, this is also a great indication of what is selling from shop shelves (when there are plenty of other options all around. British cheeses, such as vintage, mature and mild Cheddars are perennial favourites, whilst Wensleydale and Red Leicester also do well. This may be skewed a little by the famous French love for cheese of all kinds. Another big seller which might be classified as more American than British is Reese’s cups and other Reese’s chocolate. Reese’s is very popular in the UK now though, so it’s a bit of a grey area (or gray area) as to whether they qualify as a favourite British food.
One other area which can be described as the most popular British foods are things like curry sauces, pastes and spice kits, although strictly these are largely Indian (although we have Thai curries and many which have other Asian heritage). The British love to assimilate other cuisines though so, as we know, many British favourites were not ORIGINALLY British (even though Chicken Tikka Masala was probably born there). Our wide Patak’s range and our Zulekha range of frozen ready meals and naans seem to always appear on the best-seller lists.
Finally, we should talk about tinned goods, condiments and gravy. Bisto gravies, particularly but not exclusively the beef flavour, are popular for everyone everywhere. Again, the large number of types (vegetable, chicken, turkey, beef, Bisto BEST variations…) and sizes available stops there from being one clear-cut favourite. Heinz soups are almost as popular as their baked beans, with Heinz Tomato Soup probably just topping the charts, and are well-loved, long-lasting larder fillers. Hellmann’s mayonnaise is very popular, but then again, mayonnaise itself is very popular. Same with Heinz Tomato Ketchup.
So, whilst people in France definitely have a predilection for beans on toast, fried breakfasts and sausage sandwiches, it is clear to us that the favourite British foods in France extend to more than just a handful of items.
