People from the Midlands enjoy eating curry dishes more than those living in other parts of the UK, according to a new survey.

Research conducted at the University of Nottingham for Costa Coffee indicates that people’s taste for food and drink varies significantly according to the area where they live, much like regional accents.

The study found that curry is more likely to feature on the menu for Midlanders because they prefer food that hits the taste buds at the front of the tongue.

“Just as with spoken dialects, where accent is placed on different syllables and vowel formations, people from different regions have developed enhanced sensitivities to certain taste sensations,” explained Professor Andy Taylor, who worked on the study alongside food psychologist Greg Tucker.

According to the research, Scottish people favour rich, creamy flavours that impact on the back of the tongue such as ice cream and Yorkshire pudding, while residents of the north-east like to taste food on the tip of the tongue.

The findings could be good news for people living in the Midlands, as research from the US recently indicated that eating curry can lower the risk of developing dementia.

June 19th, 2009 | Back to Y4News