The Intrusive Presence of Hash Browns in Traditional Full English Breakfast

When discussing the traditional Full English breakfast (FEB), a purist would argue that it has remained steadfast over the years, largely unchanged from its roots in English cuisine. The beloved FEB consists of a selection of eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, fried bread, and toast. Tea with copious amounts of toast and marmalade is often the perfect accompaniment.

While I personally enjoy both baked beans and black pudding, these items have only recently become part of the FEB in the last decade or so. Similarly, Yorkshire puddings are only eaten with roast beef. However, these items are additions to the original recipe, not replacements. The purist attitude suggests that adding hash browns would upset the delicate balance of tradition and introduce chaos. Hash browns have no place in the traditional FEB according to many true believers.

The Historical Context of the Full English Breakfast

A 50-year journey through the United Kingdom, from England to Scotland and Northern Ireland, has seen me experience a wide range of breakfast tables. Interestingly, during this time, I have never encountered hash browns as part of the traditional FEB. My taste buds are accustomed to the likes of scrambled eggs, tomatoes, beans, and black pudding, which I found delightfully delicious.

The inclusion of hash browns can be traced back to a more probable source: fast food chains, most notably McDonald's. Prior to the pandemic and the trend of working from home, my go-to answer when asked in the office if I wanted a McDonald's breakfast would often be "a bacon roll meal with ketchup and extra hash browns". The addition of this side dish was a defining feature of my order, often accompanied by orange juice.

An Analytical Insight into Potatoes in British Cuisine

My father never incorporated potatoes into his breakfast dishes, but he did include potatoes in brunch-style meals. These could be bubble and squeak or sautéed potatoes. It wasn't until I was in my 50s and living in the USA that I experienced hash browns for the first time. My initial reaction was surprise, as the traditional preparation of grated potatoes in a Bob Evans restaurant in Indianapolis was quite different from the sautéed or baked style of my youth.

Comparing the two, Bob Evans' grated potatoes, while familiar, did not come close to the quality and consistency of hash browns served at McDonald's. The McDonald's experience was a revelation, with hash browns becoming a staple of their breakfast menu. The superior quality and consistency of the McDonald's version manifest in the exact way the hash browns are prepared, providing a distinct and satisfying taste that is difficult to replicate.

Conclusion

To conclude, the inclusion of hash browns in the traditional Full English breakfast is a topic of debate. While some purists may argue that hash browns have no place in the FEB, it is the modern consumer that has shaped the current landscape. With its prevalence in fast food chains and the changing tastes of a globalized world, hash browns have become a fixture in many people's breakfast habits. However, in the eyes of the purist, the FEB remains a carefully curated culinary experience, with rigid adherence to traditional ingredients and preparation methods.