You batter believe it! Fish and chips are NOT British (and we have immigrants to thank for the nation’s favourite takeaway)
- Fried fish was brought to Britain by Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe
- It was traditionally served cold and was originally covered in breadcrumbs
- The revelation is made on new BBC series Best of British Takeaways tonight
Say 'fish and chips' to anyone around the world, and they'll immediately think of Great Britain.
But a new BBC series has revealed that the main element of this takeaway staple is not actually British in origin.
Fried fish was in fact brought over to the UK by immigrants more than 150 years ago.
Fish and chips is one of Britain's favourite takeaways, with 10,000 fish and chip shops across the UK
The surprising revelation was uncovered on The Best of British Takeaways, which begins tonight at 7pm on BBC Two.
Historian Denise Phillips tells co-presenter Cherry Healey that Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe brought to Britain the recipes for fried fish in the early to mid 1800s.
They then started to open 'fried fish warehouses' - a term mentioned in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, published as a serial between 1837 and 1839.
Cherry Healey explores the history of fish and chips on the first episode of Best of British Takeaways tonight
Phillips said 'thousands' of Jews fled to Britain at this time to escape persecution, mostly from Russia or other parts of eastern Europe.
But interestingly enough, the Jewish traditional dish of fried fish was at that time served cold as it was cooked on Friday night before the Sabbath started - when cooking was forbidden.
Back then, the fried fish was coated in breadcrumbs rather than batter.
Healey explained: 'Batter became more popular when fried fish took off commercially.'
'What began as a humble immigrant dish has become a national takeaway favourite.'
The Best of British Takeaways, presented by Cherry Healey and Tom Kerridge, begins tonight at 7pm on BBC Two.
Most watched News videos
- Crazy driver rips through water submerged road as tide comes in
- Police blast armed suspect out of car window using fire hose
- Wife goes wild and attacks her husband and his 'mistress'
- Jet-powered boat seen being driven by skipper before later crash
- Couple put on amorous display during public bus ride
- Exceptionally controversial 'orangutan boxing' at Safari World
- Cruise ship battered by giant waves striking above window-level
- Heartbreaking moment official stops player hugging brother
- Bit of a bummer: Model flashes thong on shopping channel
- Horrific collision between car and taxi which killed 12-year-old boy
- 'Have you committed treason': Spicer confronted in Apple store
- Hero police officer saves the life of choking employee
- Prince William parties on the slopes with Aussie model on...
- Hands off our Brexit, Nicola! Theresa May to insist new...
- Dramatic moment fire crews use a hose to blast a...
- Nicola in the last chance saloon: Sturgeon is desperate...
- 'Abusive' mother of Florida girl, 14, who streamed her...
- Heartbreaking moment a three-year-old boy is blocked from...
- Police baffled as Western backpacker is found walking...
- Adele is forced to tell jokes on stage for four minutes...
- NYPD sergeant convicted of twice raping girlfriend's...
- Ex-private schoolgirl, 23, is found hanged by...
- EXCLUSIVE: Laurence Fishburne's 25-year-old porn star...
- Horrified mother who checked her 13-year-old daughter's...
- 14-year-old kickboxing champion died after collapsing...
- Gaunt and emotionless Jason Hoppy REJECTS plea deal in...
- The blizzard that WASN'T: Dangerous Nor'easter Stella...
- How can they call another referendum so soon, will there...
- Eye caramba! Legendary one-eyed matador’s scars are...
- Surge in men ordering sex dolls that look like CHILDREN...