The formula for the perfect cheese toastie includes mature cheddar cheese, medium-sliced white bread cut into two triangles – with a five-centimetre melted “cheese stretch”. A study, of 2,000 adults, revealed 47 percent feel cheese toasties are the ultimate comfort food, and have specific ideas on what makes them perfect.
Using a toastie maker is the preferred method for 44 percent, as 62 percent reckon the griddle marks – or stripes – add to the flavour. However, 31 percent reckon the snack should only ever be made under a grill.
It also emerged 42 percent think the perfect cheese toastie must be cut diagonally into two triangles. But the nation is divided on this, with nearly as many (39 percent) believing two rectangular portions is best.
And classic mature cheddar is the top filling choice for 72 percent – with nearly four in 10 considering themselves “toastie purists”, who believe nothing should be added inside, or on top of, their hot sandwich.
For those who do not fall into this category, some of the most popular additions include ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, or onion marmalade and caramelized onions.
The research was commissioned by plant-based alternative cheese company, Violife, which is delivering free “cheese” toasties this weekend (on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 January), specially created by TikTok sensation, the Lagomchef.
It comes after the study also found 36 percent of adults reckon they’ll have strayed from their good food intentions – such as spending less money on food (23 percent), and eating a more plant-based diet (11 percent) – by the end of this week.
More than half (54 percent) blame their temptations on working from home, with 44 percent of home workers putting it down to having easy access to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, 31 percent claim it’s due to boredom, while 18 percent cite a lack of inspiration – and 21 percent said they’re just too busy at work to make a proper lunch for themselves.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed 29 percent feel January is the longest, toughest month to get through, as a quarter lack energy in the first month of the year. Despite this, 18 percent intend to experiment with new recipes and meals this year.
Martyn Odell, the Lagomchef, said: “January shouldn’t be about self-punishment and having a truly miserable time. The month is tough enough as it is, so why deprive yourself of delicious things like cheese toasties?”
Jess Millner, from Violife, said: “It’s clear from our research that January is a month where many struggle to stick to their goals, such as trying out a more plant-based diet – and that this week, in particular, is a real challenge for many.
“By giving out 1,000 free lunches with Deliveroo, we want to make it easier for people to stay on track with their good intentions, even when the fridge is tempting them to stray.”
