UK Food Bland? US Wins Ingredient Showdown

A comprehensive study analyzing 23 global cuisines has revealed that American food typically utilizes a wider array of ingredients than British cuisine. Researchers examined a dataset of recipes, identifying distinct "ingredient fingerprints" for each culinary tradition. The findings suggest that while British food often relies on dairy and cereals, American dishes incorporate more herbs and spices, contributing to a richer flavor profile.

This extensive analysis found Indian and African cuisines to be the highest in spice usage, while Italian and Thai cuisines rank highest for herbs. The United States led in 12 ingredient categories compared to Britain's six, including vegetables, spices, and fruits. This highlights a significant difference in ingredient diversity between the two nations' culinary approaches.

While the study positions American cuisine as more ingredient-diverse, it notes that complex flavors can be achieved through various means beyond spices. Indian cuisine, in particular, stands out for its extensive spice utilization and is also noted for using meat the least. The research, published on arXiv, aims to map the unique combinations of ingredients that define world cuisines.