Where To Buy English Crumpets In America
Categories: British Recipes & FoodCrumpets are one of the mainstays of the British breakfast table so I was delighted to stumble across them on a trip to our local Trader Joe’s recently.
Never heard of a crumpet before? Well, neither had anyone else in my household when I came home with several packets so you aren’t alone but in England, ‘tea and crumpets’ is a British institution like fish and chips or bangers and mash.
Not to be confused with the Scottish Crumpet which is made differently, or the English Muffin (despite Harry Potter editors using the term interchangably), the traditional English crumpet is a small-ish, round slightly rubbery flat bread with a smooth base and a top peppered with tiny holes. Crumpets are best served lightly toasted and then topped with your favourite preserve or just buttered and eaten plain. In England crumpets are usually served for breakfast, elevenses or as a light snack anytime during the day.
The term “crumpet” has also been used as a slang term for a female object of desire in England since around the 1930’s (it’s Cockney rhyming slang for ’strumpet’) so if you happen upon the word being used seemingly out of context then you know why. For example, if someone tells you they are hoping to pick up some crumpet on a Friday night, chances are they aren’t going shopping! It is a rather old-fashioned term however and usually used in a more tongue-in-cheek way these days although it does offer countless opportunities for innuendo over the breakfast table…
Why are crumpets called crumpets? Apparently, the origins of the Crumpet name dates back to the late 17th century and may either refer to a curled or crumpled cake or come from the Celtic ‘krampoez’ (thin, flat cake) or Welsh ‘crempog’ which is a type of pancake.
Trader Joes “British Style Crumpets” can be found in the Breads section of your local store…and to find your local store, check their website (linked to at the beginning of this post) by clicking on the ‘locations’ banner on the welcome page.
You may also be feeling adventurous and want to try to make your own crumpets, if so try this crumpet recipe here: http://www.toomanychefs.net/archives/001118.php
4 Responses to “Where To Buy English Crumpets In America”
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July 10th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
Hello, wanted to recommend Wolferman’s as a possible crumpet source. We love the english muffins they sell, I know they have a crumpets so I thought I would leave a comment.
September 3rd, 2006 at 8:12 pm
In true British pun style, there is now a novelty table vacuum cleaner, available in various animal styles, called a ‘crumb pet’… Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh DEAR.
Enjoy your crumpets! And what are your thoughts on pikelets? Stunted poor man’s crumpets or a culinary treat?
October 26th, 2006 at 5:13 am
My good fellow, pikelets are the Rolls Royce of crumpets! Toasted and heavily smeared with Irish butter (from Trader Joes). Absolutely devine.
Now, how I can I get my hands on pikelets in the US?
March 4th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Also on the subject of pikelets, wy wife, who is welsh is a “dab hand” (US - VERY good) at these makes them very well.
BUT I would put them nearer Scotch Pancakes (as a child in the UK in the 1950s/1960s eaten cold from the packet from Marks & Spencers’ - didn’t realise they could be eaten hot!
Plus in the same “family” as (English) pancakes (although much thicker), French crepes (MUCH thicker) and (strangely) Yorkshire pudding (as they’re all made from a batter mix (talking as a male, almost non-cook).
As my wife also makes these, and we’re in the UK, I’ve no idea where you’d get these in the States.
Have fun looking!