Irish food has evolved to suit modern tastes with a strong focus on fresh vegetables, seafood and traditional foods such as soda bread and artisan cheese.
While we still have some of the same dishes that were ravaged by the potato famine (see below), other foods are regaining their popularity, especially the full Irish breakfast.
Cheese
Cheese is an age-old staple that’s loved for its richness, creaminess, flavor, and satiating qualities. It’s also rich in protein (around 8 grams per serving), calcium, and some types have probiotics that can keep your gut healthy and help you manage conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and diabetes.
Cheese is produced from the milk of various animals, including cows, goats, sheep, and buffalo. It’s then curdled through the use of bacteria and enzymes, creating a solid substance that can be aged, flavored, and shaped into various forms.
Coffee & Whiskey
Coffee and whiskey are two of the most famous beverages in the world. They are both popular and have a lot of health benefits.
The coffee has a high amount of caffeine and antioxidants. It also helps in regulating blood sugar levels.
When you mix alcohol and coffee, it increases the level of caffeine in your body. This can help you to feel more alert and active.
However, you should not drink both at the same time. It can also increase the amount of congeners in your stomach. It is better to wait for at least a few hours before drinking the two together.
Black Pudding
Black pudding is a breakfast food and has been eaten since at least the 1400s. It’s also been used as a main course and it can be fried, boiled, grilled or even heated in the oven.
It’s made with a mixture of pork blood and oats or barley. It’s a great source of protein, low in carbs and high in zinc and iron.
It is considered a superfood due to its nutritional benefits. It’s a good source of protein, potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc which help to promote a healthy immune system.
Boxty
Boxty (or bacstai) is an Irish traditional fried potato dish that can be served in different ways. It is a combination of grated raw potatoes mixed with flour and sometimes mashed potato, and is typically fried in a pancake-like batter.
This versatile and easy-to-make recipe can be served for breakfast or dinner. It pairs well with a variety of other irish food products like eggs, rashers and puddings.
Mother and son team Paul & Nan Farrelly were the first producers of gluten-free Boxty, which is a favourite for Coeliacs and also highly recommended by slimming groups all over the country. It is naturally gluten, dairy and egg free.
Blaa
Blaa, which means ‘white bread’ in Irish, is a beloved staple in Waterford. Its history dates back to the 17th century, when French Protestant Huguenots arrived in the city and introduced their bread baking culture.
Blaas were first made from scraps of leftover bread dough, a zero-waste approach to keeping families fed. Today, a few select bakeries in Waterford still crank out blaas for hungry locals.
In 2013, the European Union awarded PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status to only those rolls produced in Waterford. These include Walsh’s, Kilmacow Bakery, Barron’s and Hickey’s.
Tayto
Tayto is one of the most popular and influential irish food products. It is a national institution and one of the top five biggest selling brands in Ireland.
It was the world’s first seasoned potato chip and is still the best selling crisp brand in Ireland. It is a favourite snack with Irish people anywhere in the world, whether it be a simple bag of crisps or a tayto sandwich.
In a 2015 survey, it was revealed that Tayto is the most missed food by Irish people abroad. This is a good thing for the company as it re-enforces its identity as a national brand.