UK supermarket chain Waitrose has discovered the top five unloved, long-life ingredients, which are often locked away (for life) in British kitchen cupboards.
A recent survey, carried out among 1,000 adults in the UK, revealed that the least-used cupboard staple by far was five spice (34%), followed by desiccated coconut (28%), glacé cherries (22%), star anise (20%) and pearl barley (19%).
The findings seem to vindicate British stand-up comedian Michael McIntyre’s portrayal of five spice as a snob, considering itself royalty among spices before having to admit that it has never left its shelf, either.
Making a case for Britain's number one forgotten ingredient, the editor of the Waitrose Food magazine, William Sitwell, said, "Five spice is a really versatile ingredient, which can be used in Asian stir fries, or in marinades for meat or fish."
The March 2017 edition of the Waitrose Food magazine has included ideas for using the oft-forgotten mixture of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, sichuan pepper and fennel seed.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Martha Sparrius. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
