Patrick Oconnell
The grilled cheese sandwich is a popular variation of the cheese sandwich, where the sandwich is heated until the cheese melts. While grilled cheese sandwiches are called by the same name in the US, in the UK, they are referred to as cheese toasties. This difference in terminology is due to the prevalence of toaster-irons in the UK, which are used to make grilled sandwiches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Cheese toastie |
| Other names | Grilled cheese, toasted cheese sandwich, melted cheese sandwich |
| Popularity | 36% of British people said cheese was their favorite sandwich filling in 2017 |
| Variants | Cheese and pickle sandwich, cheese and tomato sandwich, cheese and onion sandwich |
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What You'll Learn
'Toastie' is the British term for a grilled cheese sandwich
In the UK, a grilled cheese sandwich is commonly referred to as a "toastie". This term is used for any type of grilled sandwich, and the sandwich in question is often a "cheese toastie", a popular variant of the classic cheese sandwich.
The history of the term "toastie" in the UK can be traced back to the 1950s and 1960s, when British rationing kept people at home, cooking with their toaster irons. During this time, grilled cheese sandwiches were called "toasted cheese sandwiches" in both the UK and the US. However, as the US emerged from the devastation of World War II, they began to frequent diners and order these sandwiches, while the British continued to make them at home. This led to a divergence in terminology, with the UK opting for the more "cutesy" term "toastie" and the US adopting the more "sophisticated" term "grilled".
The term "toastie" is also influenced by the prevalence of toaster-irons in the UK, which are devices used to toast or grill sandwiches. These toaster-irons, also known as sandwich toasters or jaffle irons, have been a part of British cuisine for a long time and have contributed to the common practice of grilling cheese sandwiches.
While the grilled cheese sandwich may be declining in popularity in the UK, with surveys showing a decrease in consumption from 2014 to 2020, it remains a classic and beloved comfort food. The term "cheese toastie" evokes a sense of nostalgia and childhood for many, and the sandwich continues to be a go-to option for those seeking a quick, comforting meal.
So, if you're ever in the UK and craving a grilled cheese sandwich, remember to ask for a "toastie" and enjoy this delicious treat, grilled to perfection, just the way the British like it.
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Grilled cheese sandwiches are grilled in Britain
The grilled cheese sandwich is a popular variation of the classic cheese sandwich, in which the sandwich is heated until the cheese melts. In Britain, there are several popular variants of the cheese sandwich, including cheese and pickle, cheese and tomato, and cheese and onion. According to a 2018 survey of 2,000 British people, the plain cheese sandwich was the most popular type of sandwich. However, by 2020, the bacon sandwich had overtaken it as the nation's favourite.
The British often use their "grill" to make toasties, hence the name. The "grill" refers to the high, dry heat applied to the surface of the food, or the use of a grill to cook it. This method of cooking was common in the UK during the 1950s and 1960s, when British rationing kept people at home. They relied on their home toaster irons, while Americans would go out to diners and order "grilled cheese".
The British term "toastie" is used to refer to practically any grilled sandwich, and is similar to the American "panini". The name "toastie" evokes a nostalgic, childlike feeling, perfectly describing the comfort food that is a grilled cheese sandwich.
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Grilled cheese sandwiches are not grilled in America
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a popular snack, but there is a difference in how they are made and named in the UK and the US. In the UK, a grilled cheese sandwich is often referred to as a "cheese toastie", and it is cooked under a grill to achieve the desired level of melted cheese. In the US, however, the same sandwich is not grilled, leading to some confusion and amusement among the British.
The term "grilled cheese" originated during the Great Depression and World War II, when these sandwiches gained popularity in America. Initially, they were called "toasted cheese sandwiches" or "melted cheese sandwiches". It was only in the 1960s that the name evolved to "grilled cheese", reflecting a slight shift in preparation methods. Interestingly, the British also started with the term "toasted cheese sandwiches", but their method of preparation and naming evolved differently.
During the post-war years of the 1950s and 1960s, British households, still affected by rationing, relied on their home toaster irons to make grilled cheese sandwiches. In contrast, Americans frequented diners and ordered their sandwiches, seeking a more sophisticated dining experience. This led to the adoption of the term "grilled" in America, while the British opted for the more endearing "toastie" to reflect their home-based cooking.
The difference in terminology and preparation methods has led to some light-hearted banter between the two cultures, with each side questioning the other's logic and sanity. Despite the confusion, both the American and British versions of the grilled cheese sandwich share a common goal: to enjoy the comforting, indulgent taste of melted cheese on toasted bread.
In conclusion, while the name suggests grilling, grilled cheese sandwiches in America are not typically prepared using this method. The British method of grilling a cheese sandwich, on the other hand, aligns more closely with the traditional definition of grilling, involving high, dry heat applied directly to the surface of the food.
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Grilled cheese sandwiches became popular in America during the Great Depression
In the UK, a grilled cheese sandwich is called a "cheese toastie", while in America, it is called a "grilled cheese sandwich". The difference in names stems from the cooking methods used in each country. The British often toast their toasties under an "oven grill", while Americans typically use a flat grill or skillet for their grilled cheese.
Grilled cheese sandwiches, or "toasted cheese sandwiches" as they were then called, became popular in America during the Great Depression of the 1930s. As the economic crisis unfolded, people needed affordable food options, and the grilled cheese sandwich, made with inexpensive bread and processed cheese, fit the bill perfectly. The sandwich was initially prepared open-faced, with grated "American" cheese, which was cheap to produce and required no refrigeration—a boon for cash-strapped households.
The sandwich's simplicity and affordability made it a staple for many Americans struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression. It provided enough nutrition to get people through the day, and its popularity continued to grow. By the time World War II broke out, the grilled cheese sandwich was a favourite among the Allied Armed Forces. This further solidified its place in American cuisine, and it soon became a regular fixture in school cafeterias and homes across the nation.
During the war, the US government included the sandwich, now with two slices of bread, in government-issued cookbooks for the US Navy under the name "American Cheese Filling Sandwich". When the soldiers returned home, they brought the recipe with them, and it became a permanent fixture in American cookbooks. The grilled cheese sandwich had earned its place in the hearts and kitchens of Americans, and its popularity has endured ever since.
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The cheese sandwich is declining in popularity in the UK
In the UK, a grilled cheese sandwich is commonly known as a "cheese toastie". This term is derived from the fact that the British often make their sandwiches using a toaster iron or "toastie iron", grilling their sandwiches under the "grill" part of the oven. The word "toastie" also has a nostalgic, childlike ring to it, making it a popular term for this comfort food.
However, the cheese sandwich, in general, is facing a decline in popularity in the UK. In 2014, a survey by YouGov revealed that 55% of British adults had not eaten a cheese sandwich in the previous week. This prompted Anchor Cheddar to launch a campaign in 2015, using a bus designed as a cheese sandwich to encourage the consumption of this classic. Despite this, in 2020, a study showed that the plain cheese sandwich had lost its top spot as Britain's favourite, with the bacon sandwich taking its place.
There are several factors that may have contributed to this shift in preference. Firstly, health concerns have been raised about the high levels of saturated fat and salt in cheese sandwiches. In 2008, the Food Standards Agency warned that a cheese sandwich contains more than half the recommended daily amount of saturated fat. Action on Salt also campaigned in 2012 for cheese sandwiches to carry a health warning, citing the potential for excessive salt consumption by children.
Additionally, cultural and social influences may play a role. With the world becoming increasingly globalised, it is possible that other sandwich options, such as the Italian carrozza (a mozzarella cheese sandwich coated in egg and flour and then fried) or the American grilled cheese, are gaining traction and offering alternatives to the traditional British cheese toastie.
Despite the decline, it is important to note that cheese remains a favourite sandwich filling for many British people. In 2017, a YouGov survey found that 36% of British people still chose cheese as their favourite sandwich filling. This preference for cheese in sandwiches persists, even if the classic cheese sandwich is not as prevalent as it once was.
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Frequently asked questions
In England, a grilled cheese sandwich is called a "cheese toastie".
The name "cheese toastie" is thought to have originated from the prevalence of toaster-irons in the UK. These devices, also known as pie irons or sandwich toasters, were used to toast bread and melt cheese inside a sandwich.
Yes, popular British variants of the cheese sandwich include the cheese and pickle sandwich, the cheese and tomato sandwich, and the cheese and onion sandwich.
While cheese sandwiches were once a popular food in the United Kingdom, their popularity has declined in recent years. A 2014 survey found that 55% of British adults had not eaten a cheese sandwich in the previous week. However, in a 2018 survey, a plain cheese sandwich was still ranked as the most popular type of sandwich among 2,000 British people.
