The sandwich is a global food phenomenon loved by many worldwide. Over time, sandwiches have evolved beyond the classic ham and cheese. In fact, in recent years, people have moved away from the standard fillings and carriers you may associate with sandwiches, pushing the boundaries of creativity and creating new and exciting concepts that change sandwiches as we know them.
But what have been the global influences on the tasty British staple?
Japan
Countries across Asia are creating their own take on the snack, particularly Japan, which has developed a simple and sweet sandwich called the ‘fruit sando’. This sandwich is Japanese milk bread smothered in sweetened cream and filled with fresh and vibrant pieces of fruit, including grapes, oranges, and kiwis. Fruit sandos are an incredibly popular snack and lunch in Japan, sold across many cafes and shops and eaten by people in everyday life.
India
India is famously known for its array of curries, often paired with rice, naan or chapatis. For centuries, Indians had never seen a classic bread loaf until Britain introduced the concept to them by bringing over a loaf of bread whilst visiting to make a sandwich for their lunch. The locals loved the idea of this easy snack and wanted to fashion it themselves. Yeast was hard to source in India, so they improvised with local ingredients and resources they had and created the ‘pav’, now an everyday bread eaten by masses across India. The most popular filling is a deep-fried potato, blended with masala spices and covered in gram flour, known as a ‘vada pav’1.
America
Americans love their pizza, and in recent years, diners and restaurants in the US have been experimenting with incorporating the sandwich’s influence into their favourite food. They have created the pizza sandwich, often served hot and filled with eggs, fries, sausage, and drenched in ranch sauce. Traditionalists may question if this can be classed as a sandwich, but two pieces of bread (pizza dough) with a filling inside does sound a lot like a sandwich!
The sandwich has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Many people will have different interpretations of what a sandwich means and what belongs in the middle or on the outside. Who knows how far the influence of sandwiches will have on food globally and how far the boundaries will be pushed in the future?
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