Calls for hash browns to be blacklisted from fry ups spark fierce debate

Britain is debating whether hash browns are really crucial for a full English breakfast.

Social media users have been engaged in a fierce debate over the controversial ingredient and whether it belongs on a plate packed with bacon, sausages, eggs and beans.

Some say that the crispy potato treat should be ‘left alone’ as it is ‘the special guest star’ of the plate, while others argue that they ‘have no place’ among all the other morning staples. 

This discourse comes following a YouGov poll in 2017 that found 60 per cent of Brits thought that hash browns were crucial to a good fry up.

One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Hash browns – the replacement drummer, the special guest star, the supply teacher of the breakfast world. Sometimes necessary when nothing better is available but in no way a full time member!’ 

Another gave a more logical response as to why they should be kept, writing: ‘Hash browns are a tasty addition to the full English breakfast, offering a crispy texture and delicious flavor. They complement savory items like bacon and sausages, and provide a satisfying contrast to softer items like eggs and baked beans.’ 

A third questioned why they should be removed from the full English, saying: ‘I’m not sure it’s that simple. The problem you can’t ignore is that frozen hash browns, when cooked properly, are delicious and a perfect accompaniment. Most cafes will offer hash browns these days. Are they really a no?’ 

While others thought out of the box, saying: ‘Are you allowed to prepare bubble squeak with shredded potato instead of mashed potato, and still be a traditional bubble and squeak?’ 

However, others have been left completely disgusted at the idea that hash browns should even be invited to the party.

One user wrote: ‘Hash Browns, Toast and Baked Beans have no place on a Full English Breakfast Plate.’ 

And another said: ‘You are right. Bring back the bubble. Hash brown needs to be dropped.’ 

One more person also said disliked the hash brown, writing: ‘A crime against the cooked breakfast.’ 

But others have absurdly suggested other foods that questionably should not even compliment the fry up in the first place.

Someone suggested: ‘Fried bread and bubble rule the plate!’

And a second person chimed in saying: ‘There is a third way…fried bread. Not hash, not bubble.’ 

A third put: ‘I don’t like bubble & squeak… but in this age of turning people against each other, why not just accept each others differences and let people enjoy what they want? I liked fried bread, but can’t seem to find it anywhere anymore…’ 

Another angrily wrote: ‘Lose the Hash Browns, Toast and Baked Beans and Add Fried bread and it’s Perfect!!. Hash Browns DO NOT BELONG ON AN ENGLISH BREAKFAST!!!!!!!’ 

While another said that they have gravy with theirs, writing: ‘I dunno, I’m British and I say “Oui” to hash browns. I’ll have my bubble and squeak with some proper sausages and onion gravy for my tea, thank you very much.’ 

A second said they prefer tomatoes over any of the other ingredients, writing: ‘That is the perfect combination right there I do prefer tinned tomato’s however.’ 

Hash browns are now fighting to remain on the menu as the English Breakfast Society, but the says they do not ‘belong’ in a fry up and should be replaced with bubble and squeak.

The campaign group includes back bacon, eggs, British sausage, baked beans, fried tomato, fried mushrooms, black pudding, and fried and toasted bread among its common breakfast ingredients. 

The society, which is dedicated to the history and tradition of the full English breakfast, wrote on Twitter that they are fighting ‘to give the people’ bubble and squeak back, which they have described as ‘a tastier, and more authentically British potato cake.’

In a separate tweet, they wrote: ‘PSA: The frozen hash brown was popularised by McDonalds. 

‘Serving them to customers in your English breakfast as a lazy replacement for bubble and squeak signals your lack of respect for the tradition, your customers, and your country. Do better.’

Guise Bule de Missenden, founder of the group, told The Times: ‘Somebody had to put their foot down. Otherwise we’ll find kebab meat in our English breakfast before long.

‘The hash brown – the reconstituted, tater-based fast food – was popularised by McDonald’s but somehow we now find it in our English breakfast.’

He continued: ‘We’re all about bringing back the bubble. That’s the reason we’re saying no to hash browns. Hashtag, bring back the bubble.’ 

A YouGov poll in 2017 found that bacon is the most important part of a full English breakfast, with 89 per cent of English people saying it would feature on their ideal plate. Only 60 per cent thought hash browns were crucial.

It identified the core ingredients in a decent Full English, with six food items chosen by more than half of people as being essential to their ideal breakfast. 

As well as bacon at 89 per cent, these include sausage (82 per cent), toast (73 per cent), beans (71 per cent), fried egg (65 per cent) and hash brown (60 per cent).

The English breakfast dates back to the 14th or 15th century as the Landed Gentry would eat their grand hunt breakfasts. It was then adopted by the middle and upper class Victorians, according to the English Breakfast Society.

Variations exist across the country, with different ingredients making up the staple breakfast.

Hash browns however are an ingredient that many believe do not belong in a traditional fry-up. The English Breakfast Society says the hallmark of a real English breakfast is locally or regionally sourced ingredients.

Hash browns first started appearing on breakfast menus in New York City in the 1890s, and were later adapted into the UK breakfast.