Traditional tripe and eels in danger of sliding into extinction

TRIPE, giblets and eels are among the traditional British foods in danger of extinction, according to a survey.

Experts believe that young people are likely to shun these traditional foods, preferring curries and pizza to pie and mash and jellied eels.

The three most-disliked British foods in the Yougov survey were tripe, giblets and eels – not only would two thirds of people refuse to try them, but only a minority of people had eaten them recently (4 per cent, 7 per cent and 6per cent, respectively). Also unpopular were tongue and cockles, which 46per cent and 43per cent had never eaten and would not try.

It found that different generations had different tastes, with 69per cent of those aged 65 and over having enjoyed liver recently compared with only 29per cent of 18-24-year-olds.

Ivan Day, the food historian, told The Daily Telegraph that the three mostdisliked foods now were immensely popular across all social classes not so long ago.

He explained: “Eels were once very plentiful and anyone could catch them. Because they are slimy and a bit snakelike, people’s modern sensibilities are threatened by them. Offal and giblets used to be popular among all social classes. Tripe, particularly, was very cheap.” The reason it changed was because of urbanisation and industrialisation of our food. People became remote from their food sources and stopped wanting to eat offal. Unless it’s brown, in a plastic tray and been cut up into a neat steak ... people are worried about it.”

The historian blamed young people for the decline of traditional British foods. He explained: “Younger people want big flavours, curries ... pizza and the rest of it. They look upon their parents’ taste as being a bit passé.”

Gary Foulkes, executive chef at Michelin-starred London seafood restaurant Angler lamented the decline in the popularity of cockles and eels.

He told The Telegraph: “We have seen the decline and loss of so many traditional British classics. When I was a child, I remember going to the seaside with my grandparents and getting a portion of salt and vinegar cockles – that was part of the deal!”