Brits Unaware of Food and Drink Origins
A recent study has revealed that a significant proportion of Britons are unaware of the country of origin of their food and drinks. The survey of 2,000 adults found that nearly three-quarters (71%) have no idea where coffee originates from, while 64% did not realize that tea usually comes from China – with 10% believing it to be a British creation. Exactly a quarter of those polled were unaware that Champagne is a French beverage, while 26% don’t know where Coca-Cola originated, and 29% are clueless about where Sangria was first enjoyed.
These findings highlight a lack of awareness among consumers about the origins of their food and beverages. The study also found that many consumers simply assume a product is from a particular place based on the appearance of its packaging, even though it is a legal requirement to clearly state on the label where a product is made.
This lack of awareness can lead to consumers being misled about the authenticity of products. The study found that 61% of respondents believe that food and drink manufacturers deliberately lead consumers to believe their products are made in a different country to the one they are really produced in.
The study was commissioned by Estrella Galicia, a Spanish beer brewed in Spain rather than the UK, to launch the brewery’s “ beer manifesto ” – which found that one in 10 don’t know where their beer comes from. The findings follow data which shows that only three of the UK’s top 15 most popular “ world beers” are brewed in their country of origin – with the rest brewed in the UK.
Aitor Artaza, spokesman for Estrella Galicia International, said: “Understanding the origin of our food and drink is not just about curiosity, it’s about empowerment. In a world where “world beers” are readily available to millions of consumers at their fingertips, it’s easy to forget the cultural significance behind each sip. Knowing the true origins of “world beers” enriches our culinary experiences, allowing us to savor not only the flavors, but also the stories told by authentic world beers.”
