Scotland, a land famed for its distinctive culinary offerings, has just been subjected to a rather controversial food ranking. TasteAtlas, the online travel guide, has published its list of the 25 “worst-rated Scottish foods” – a list that has undoubtedly sparked debate across the nation.
Topping the list, with a score of a paltry 2.7 out of 5, is the deep-fried pizza. This greasy delight, ubiquitous in fish and chip shops across Scotland, has become a staple of Scottish nightlife, often enjoyed after a night out. Known as “pizza crunch,” this guilty pleasure involves a pizza being dunked in boiling oil instead of baked in a traditional oven. TasteAtlas, in its characteristically blunt fashion, described the pizza crunch as “extremely caloric and unhealthy.” However, despite this, the pizza crunch remains a firm favorite among Scots, fondly reminisced about as a school lunchtime treat.
Following closely behind in second place, with a score of 3.1 out of 5, is the Dundee cake. This traditional fruit cake, while bearing a resemblance to Christmas cake, boasts a lighter, more brittle consistency. The iconic Dundee cake, famous for its rich mix of currants, sultanas, and almonds that create its distinctive patterned top, has a history dating back to the 16th century, with legend attributing its creation to Mary, Queen of Scots.
In a surprising turn of events, the Lorne sausage, also known as square sausage, has found itself ranked third on TasteAtlas’ list of the worst Scottish foods. Scoring a modest 3.3, this traditional component of the Scottish breakfast is made from minced meat, rusk, and spices, and distinctively lacks a casing to maintain its shape.
Another Scottish favorite facing criticism is the deep-fried Mars bar, which landed at number five on the “worst” list with a score of 3.4 out of five. This divisive snack, a love-it-or-hate-it item, is believed to have originated in the early 1990s at The Haven Chip Bar, now called The Carron, in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. The process involves dipping a chilled Mars bar into flour batter and frying it until golden.
Other traditional Scottish dishes that have found themselves on TasteAtlas’ infamous list include cranachan and stovies. Cranachan, a luscious dessert, is traditionally whipped up to celebrate the summer raspberry harvest, while stovies are a hearty potato-based dish typically created to repurpose Sunday roast leftovers.
One unexpected entry from the north-east was the renowned buttery or rowie, which ranked 16th, just one spot above haggis – Scotland’s national dish.
The complete list of the least-liked Scottish foods can be viewed on the TasteAtlas website. While the list is undoubtedly subjective, it provides an interesting insight into the diversity of Scottish culinary traditions and preferences. It also serves as a reminder that food is a matter of personal taste, and what one person considers a culinary delight, another may find utterly unappealing.