European taste-map results

Over 29,000 people from 30 European countries recently took part in a quiz organised by the consumer movement Friends of Glass, which set out to explore various European taste preferences.

 

The quiz was also designed to discover how taste preferences are potentially affected by the cultural influence that citizens are surrounded by.

 

“The European Taste Map was a great success. Glass is used as a packaging in so many products, so we wanted to discover whether there are distinctive national characteristics in people’s tastes for food and drink, which go beyond the usual stereotypes,” said Michael Delle Selve, Senior Communications Manager for European glass trade body, FEVE. 

 

“We assembled a group of Taste Makers and sommeliers from several countries who helped us to devise a quiz that would identify key taste preferences, and interpret the results.

 

“Questions included ‘How do you start your day?’, ‘Pick your pickle and ‘If you were a food, what would you be.”

 

Key findings include that European taste as a whole tends towards ‘bland’ foods, while there are regional differences in alcohol preferences, herbs vs spices, and character traits.

 

Bland: A taste of bold flavour

 

Otherwise known as savoury or umami, the culinary definition of bland is “a taste found in diets rich in grains, beans, and tomatoes.”

 

It is associated with the Japanese term ‘umami’ – which roughly translated means ‘delicious flavour’.

 

It is fair to say that modern Europe has adopted a vibrant appreciation for taste (for example, the love of curry in the UK) and throughout the history of Europe, flavours have been dominated by numerous herbs and spices that came to the continent from the East.

 

But taste itself can differ: The quiz identified several diverging tastes depending on region.

 

Beer reminds Brits of home, yet they are more likely to enjoy a Friday night with a glass of sparkling wine, while the French reach for a cocktail to start their weekend.

 

On another note, the Germans always like to have their spices next to them in the kitchen, whereas the Italians have a love affair with fresh herbs.

 

In addition to taste, the quiz also explored numerous character traits of European citizens. Interestingly enough, while the continent as a whole would describe itself as fun, the Germans say they are quiet, the Croatians innocent, the Swiss reserved and the Czechs sarcastic.

 

Shopping habits have a large influence on the type of food that shoppers choose at the supermarket: A majority of Europeans choose fresh and natural ingredients when making purchasing decisions at the market, whereas some citizens prefer to make a list and stick to what they need.

 

In Italy, however, shoppers tend to look out for special discounts and offers.

 

The land of olive oil

 

While all Mediterranean bordering countries in Europe see olive oil as a reminder of home (as expected), a majority of all Europeans prefer to choose it over other oils when given a choice of products. According to the European Commission, no other place on Earth rivals Europe in its love for olive oil, as it is a leader in both its production and consumption.

 

The continent produces 73% of the world’s olive oil and consumes 66% of it.

 

“As previous research showed us, there is a growing appreciation for glass packaging since it keeps food fresh longer and is the only packaging material that does not interfere with the taste of food.” said Michael Delle Selve, Senior Communications Manager for FEVE. Tinted glass bottles allow olive oil to be a global export without being exposed to light during transportation.

 

The Caffeinated Continent

 

An overwhelming majority of mainland Europeans indicated their preference for coffee when asked about their daily breakfast ritual, but, not surprisingly, the UK and Ireland have a preference of tea to start their day.

 

The European Coffee Federation estimates that the European Union consumes 2.5 million tons of coffee each year, giving it the highest consumption rate in the world.

 

According to research from Quartz and Euromonitor, 13 European countries are included in the top 15 coffee consuming nations worldwide. On a wider scale, out of the top 80 countries that consume coffee, 33 are European.

 

Learn more about the Friends of Glass Taste Map at: http://www.friendsofglass.com/tastemap/?lang=gb