In recent years many of us have embraced a no-fuss, no-cook, picky bits tea. Now, new research* from Tesco suggests that 97% of the nation now eat it at least once over the summer, with almost a quarter (15%) of people enjoying it at least once a week.
Over a third (39%) of people choose a picky tea when it’s too hot to cook, as it typically just involves plating up a selection of cold ‘bits’, like sandwiches and salads, pasties, cheese, and cold meats. Whilst 29% of people say that it’s an opportunity to combat waste and use up what’s in the fridge, almost a quarter (23%) say that it is a time-saver, meaning they can spend more time with family and friends.
Almost a third (31%) of people enjoy the opportunity to plate up their favourite foods in one meal, with crisps, nuts and popcorn (44%), sandwiches (41%), and cheese (40%), topping the most popular list of picky bits to include.
And while these classic summer staples are many people’s favourite picky bits, 84% of the nation admit to getting creative and combining foods that typically wouldn’t be eaten together. Almost a third of the nation (32%) say they’ve tried fruit with a savoury dip – like strawberries with hummus or grapes with tzatziki. In addition, 36% say that they have paired savoury items like pasties and sandwiches with fruit, and 41% admit to having enjoyed multiple types of carb on one plate, like pies and bread.
While picky bits have affectionally been coined ‘British tapas’ by some, 19% of people say that they take the opportunity to mix up different international cuisines. A fifth of the nation say that Indian snacks like samosas are a key part of a picky tea, with 18–24-year-olds being the most adventurous when it comes to world foods. 8% enjoy sushi, 8% also opt for Spanish snacks such as a tortilla or rollitos to their plate.
In response to the nations love for a picky tea, Tesco has launched its biggest ever range of limited-edition Finest nibbles for the summer – including salads, antipasti, dips and even sweet treats. Please see below product highlights with the full range available here.
Tesco executive chef, Jamie Robinson comments on the popularity of the ‘picky bits’ tea:
“When the weather heats up, even the most seasoned cooks want to minimise their time in the kitchen in favour of spending time in the sunshine with family and friends.
So, how do they ensure they don’t miss out on delicious summer dining? Enter, the picky bits tea! Grab a plate and your favourite nibbles, salads and sweet treats; assemble, and enjoy.”
Jamie Robinson’s ‘picky bits’ tea top tips:
Explore cuisines
The picky bits tea is a perfect opportunity to try bites of delicious new world cuisines. Whether Italian antipasti, Vietnamese salads or Spanish tapas-style dishes; adding your favourite world foods to your plate can supercharge the flavour. There are no hard and fast rules, you can eat around the globe, or even theme your plate.
Add different textures
It can be tempting to load up on bread and pasties, like pinwheels and sausage rolls. But you won’t regret elevating these delicious staples by adding textures from dips such as hummus or whipped feta, and some crunch and freshness from vegetable sticks or salads. The Bang Bang Cauliflower and Rice Salad is one of my favourites for this summer.
Try new pairings
A picky bits tea is the perfect opportunity to be daring with your pairings. We’re all familiar with the classic cheese and pineapple; why not try pairing other sweet and savoury items together such as strawberries and hummus? The trick here is to not shy away from any guilty pleasures, make your plate your own.
Don’t forget the sweet treats
Like any mealtime, a sweet treat can really round off your meal and complete the picky bits tea. Tesco Finest Lemon Meringue Bites are one of my favourites for this summer and are the perfect size for a little palette cleanser.
