Japanese fruit sando hits excessive streets

Strawberries and cream – an iconic British combo for the reason that 1800s. However do they belong collectively in a sandwich?

M&S has rolled out a limited-edition strawberries and cream sandwich, made with strawberries, whipped cream cheese and sweetened bread, which it says is impressed by the “viral Japanese fruit sando”. The grocery store chain says it was its top-selling sandwich the 2 days after its launch.

Strawberry sandwiches can be found at some Japanese bakeries within the UK, however M&S’s providing seems to be the primary time they’ve been broadly out there on grocery store cabinets.

The concept of serving fruit in a sandwich would possibly sound uncommon however it’s nothing new in Japan. Often known as “furutsu sando”, they grew to become widespread after Japanese fruit outlets opened parlours promoting desserts for patrons to pattern their wares.

They lately grew to become sought-after around the globe after going viral on social media, with Western vacationers on TikTok scrambling to get their arms on the model bought in Japanese comfort retailer chain 7-Eleven.

Fruit sandwiches are sometimes fabricated from sweetened, delicate, spongy white bread full of whipped cream and fruit, sometimes strawberries or clementine, says Shuko Oda, chef at Koya restaurant in London. They’re often lower into triangles in order that the fruit is on show.

“It appears to be like fairly fairly,” Shuko says, including that the sandwiches are a “enjoyable play on texture”.

Some folks in Japan make them at residence, however they’re extra generally purchased from comfort shops, meals halls or devoted fruit sando shops, she says. Individuals typically get pleasure from them as a snack with tea or espresso or served on a plate alongside savoury sandwiches.

Within the UK, it isn’t as unusual as you would possibly suppose to pair fruit with slices of bread for a sandwich. Consider banana sandwiches, served with the fruit sliced or mashed, or the nostalgia of childhood jam sandwiches. Coronation rooster sandwiches are made with dried apricots or sultanas, too.

What’s a sandwich, at its core? Does it must be savoury? And does it must even be made with typical wheat bread – take the jibarito, for instance, which is made with fried plantain as a substitute.

What about Scandinavian open sandwiches? And in the event that they depend as sandwiches, then what about French toast topped with fruit and sauce?

The Oxford English Dictionary says sandwiches are fabricated from two skinny slices of bread, often buttered, “with a savoury… or different filling”.

Although people have been making bread for 1000’s of years, the sandwich as we all know it as we speak is claimed to owe its recognition to John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. The story goes that he requested his workers to deliver him meat between two slices of bread so he might proceed enjoying playing cards with out stopping to eat.

A number of the sandwiches we eat within the UK would elevate eyebrows around the globe. Take crisp sarnies, coronation rooster sandwiches, or the standard chip butty. However for those who’re feeling impressed by Japan’s strawberry sandos and need to up your sandwich sport, listed here are some extra sandwiches from around the globe.

Bánh mì is a Vietnamese sandwich served in a baguette, sometimes full of meat, pate, pickles and spicy sauces. It is often eaten for breakfast. BBC Meals has a recipe made with candy and spicy pork stomach and chilli sauce.

Croque monsieur is a French sandwich served sizzling with gooey, melted cheese. It is made with white sauce, cheese, ham and mustard, cooked beneath the grill. To combine it up, served with a fried egg on high and – voila – you’ve got a croque madame.

A po’ boy, which comes from “poor boy”, is a New Orleans road meals sandwich that celebrates Louisiana’s seafood. An enormous number of fillings can be found, however the preferred embody fried shrimp, crab or lobster nestled amongst lettuce, remoulade and pickles. BBC Meals has a simplified model you can also make at residence extra simply utilizing frozen scampi.

Reasonably than utilizing bread comprised of typical wheat flour, arepas are made utilizing corn flour. They’re additionally widespread in Colombia, however it’s Venezuela the place they’re most frequently made into sandwiches. One widespread filling is Reina Pepiada, which mixes rooster, avocado and coriander.

We’re no strangers to doubling up on carbs within the UK – and the Australian spaghetti jaffle attracts on the identical precept. It’s made by serving leftover spaghetti in tomato sauce inside a toastie. At comfort shops throughout Japan, it’s also possible to decide up a yakisoba pan – noodles served in a sizzling canine bun.

Francesinha, a Portuguese sandwich originating in Porto, is a cheese and meat lover’s heaven. The spectacular construction is made by filling a frivolously toasted bread with a steak, sausage, cheese and ham.

Extra cheese is then positioned on high, and the entire sandwich is usually baked within the oven till the cheese melts after which served with an egg on high. A spicy sauce made with Port, beer and tomato is then poured over the entire thing. If that wasn’t filling sufficient already, it is often served with chips on the facet.

Extra reporting by Polly Weeks, BBC Meals