Brits list their top 10 nostalgic food flavours – including jelly and ice cream

The top flavours that remind Brits of their childhoods are jelly, boiled eggs with soldiers and fish fingers, according to research.

A home cooked roast dinner, ice cream and custard were also firm nostalgic favourites, according to the study of 2,000 adults.

A quarter loved rhubarb and custard flavour as a child, as well as ice pops.

And for 42 percent, chewing fruity flavoured gum takes them right back to the 90s and noughties.

But the classic school staple of semolina is seemingly more difficult to swallow with 25 percent saying they never want to taste it again.

The same goes for lumpy pink custard (24 percent), spam (23 percent) and crab sticks (17 percent).

The study was commissioned by Extra Refreshers Gum, to launch its strawberry and lemon flavour, and found 37 percent associate this combination with their childhood.

It also revealed these nostalgic foods haven’t been left in the past – with the 23 percent chowing down on a childhood favourite at least once a week.

Furthermore, 25 percent believe indulging in classic flavours makes them feel comfortable and it helps four in 10 reduce feelings of anxiety.

As many as 73 percent of those put this down to the fact it evokes happy memories.

According to psychology expert Jo Hemmings, positive experiences associated with a particular dish, food or flavour can provoke strong feelings of comfort, security, and happiness.

Jo said: “In order to qualify as a true nostalgic flavour, the food must fulfil at least two of three requirements; it must have comforting properties, sentimental appeal and be ‘insanely delicious’.

“As we grow older, the amazing sensation of nostalgia allows us to be transported to the joyful memories of our childhood.

 “Senses trigger a chemical reaction in our brain, similar to the euphoria that we felt when experiencing this sensation for the first time as a child.

“Taste and smell are among the strongest nostalgia triggers of all, instantly reminds us of when we felt happy and comforted.”

Around half (49 percent) claim sharing nostalgic meals or snacks with loved ones bring them closer together – for 58 percent of those, this is because they can discuss fond memories of the snack.

And three in 10 (29 percent) have made a nostalgic food to cheer someone up, according to the stats by OnePoll.com.  

With bananas and custard, beans on toast and fish finger sandwiches firm favourites when it comes to making someone smile.

Karina Solovey, Extra spokesperson, said: “We all love a trip down memory lane.

“After all, who doesn’t love a bowl of jelly and ice cream, or a stick of strawberry and lemon flavoured gum to perk up their day and transport them back to their childhood?

“The smallest things can change someone’s day, from relieving stress to building a connection with friends and family.”