Despite soaring summer temperatures, Britons are increasingly opting for hearty winter comfort foods, according to new data from supermarket Waitrose. Sales of dishes like cottage pie, chicken and ham gratin, and chicken korma have seen significant increases in the past month, even as temperatures in parts of England and Wales exceeded 30 degrees Celsius.
The trend, dubbed 'reverse comfort eating' by Senior Innovation Chef Stephen Parkins-Knight, suggests a shift away from traditional summer fare such as salads and cold platters. "After spending all day drained by the heat, people crave rich, grounding staples to recharge, pivoting back toward comfort and familiarity," Parkins-Knight stated.
Specific sales figures from Waitrose show a 110% rise in cottage pie sales, followed by a 68% increase in Chicken & Ham Gratin and a 67% rise in Chicken Korma & rice. The Waitrose No. 1 Chicken, Bacon & Leek Pie also saw a 41% increase. Even beverage choices reflect this trend, with sales of South African red wine climbing by 68%.
Recipe searches on the supermarket's website for winter meals have also surged. Popular searches include Spaghetti Bolognese (up 91%), toad in the hole (up 67%), chilli con carne (up 41%), and vegetable casserole (up 15%).
This culinary pivot is also evident on social media platforms. Numerous users have shared photos and videos of themselves preparing and enjoying warm, hearty meals despite the heat. TikTok users have posted about making cottage pies, lasagnas, and casseroles, with some noting the unusual choice for the weather. One user, @dolifewithnat, shared a video of a casserole, commenting, "Yes I did just cook this in the heatwave!" with another user remarking on how the cooking process likely increased the indoor temperature.
Experts suggest that consuming hot food can have a physiological benefit in hot weather. Nutritionist Daniel O'Shaughnessy explains that hot meals can induce sweating, and as the sweat evaporates, it helps cool the body. He specifically mentioned spicy dishes like chilli and tikka masala curry, noting that the capsaicin in chilli can signal to the brain that the body is overheated, promoting further sweating. The curcumin in turmeric, found in tikka masala, is also believed to improve circulation and cool the body.
However, O'Shaughnessy advises against excessive consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods like rice and grains, and high-protein foods such as chicken, as they can be harder to digest and the digestion process itself generates heat. He suggests that plant-based dishes may be a more suitable option during heatwaves due to requiring less energy for digestion.