Brits are 'Poshing Up' their picnics this summer
New research suggests as many as seven in ten Brits (73 percent) have made more effort with their picnics in recent years, with 46 percent attempting to impress friends by bringing artisan goodies.
Four in ten (40 percent) have rustled up cakes from scratch, while 25 percent bring posh Scotch eggs and almost half (48 percent) like to bring healthy, homemade salads.
Strawberries and cream (37 percent), egg mayo sandwiches (36 percent) and scones with cream and jam also made the definitive list of “posh picnic essentials”, according to the nation’s keen picnickers, along with houmous and olives (29 percent), homemade quiche (28 percent), chilled sparkling wine (28 percent) and handmade potato salad (28 percent).
Two thirds (60 percent) admit they spend a lot of time planning and cooking food to blow the socks off other picnic goers.
A third (35 percent) impress their friends with a classic wicker basket (35 percent), while one in four (24 percent) will only sit on an iconic tartan blanket.
The research by British Lion eggs reveals Brits plan to enjoy an average of FOUR picnics this summer.
Items which are deemed old fashioned include soggy sandwiches (55 percent), warm cans of beer (42 percent), flasks of tea (36 percent) and plastic cutlery (33 percent).
Single use containers (33 percent) and single use plastic cups (33 percent) are also a picnic no-no, as Gen Z and millennials prefer more sustainable options to help them consume their picnic treats. A fifth (20 percent) also felt British ingredients were important.
Andrew Joret, spokesperson for British Lion Eggs who commissioned the survey said, “It seems like the picnic is having a ‘moment’ this summer, with people embracing the outdoor tradition and making it an event. Eggs are a favourite ingredient, featuring heavily in the list of picnic must haves – a cost-effective, versatile British ingredient to feed a crowd. With budgets being squeezed it seems that communal outdoor eating is a good way to socialise without the big restaurant bill.”
Four in ten (41 percent) agree that picnics are one of the best parts of the summer.
86 percent say that eating al fresco on a warm sunny day is one of life’s pleasures, with over half (54 percent) declaring that they are having more picnics than ever before.
Over half (51 percent) reveal they would rather have a picnic somewhere beautiful on a lovely sunny day, than a meal in a posh restaurant.
30 MUST HAVE ITEMS FOR A POSH PICNIC
- Healthy, homemade salads 48%
- Scotch eggs 41%
- Homemade cakes 40%
- Fresh fruit salad 39%
- Strawberries and cream 37%
- Egg mayo sandwiches 36%
- A wicker picnic basket 35%
- Scones with cream and jam 30%
- Houmous and olives 29%
- Homemade quiche 28%
- Chilled sparkling wine 28%
- Homemade potato salad 28%
- Posh deli meat cuts 25%
- Artisan pork pies 25%
- Tartan picnic blanket 24%
- A football 24%
- Dips and crudites 23%
- Sourdough bread 23%
- A Bluetooth speaker 22%
- Artisan cheeses 21%
- Vegetarian options 20%
- British sourced ingredients 20%
- Homemade bread rolls 19%
- Cocktails in cans 15%
- Jars of chutney 15%
- Homemade lemonade or ginger ale 13%
- Chilled craft ale 12%
- Couscous salad 10%
- Rounders set 9%
- Homemade samosas 9%
