While this meme is suburb, I assume you're aware that the legacy of bland British food is heavily influenced by WW2 and post-war rationing. It had an impact even here in the US, but a much stronger one in the UK where they were rationing well into the 50s if I remember right.

Culinary history is a fun branch.

Food guide;

• British food is tasteless
• French food is pretentious
• italian food takes all afternoon
• American food is poisonous
• Indian food is special because it uses something called “spice” and no one else does apparently
• asians eat rice
• anyone east of Berlin eats either turnips or caviar

What did I miss ?

Apparently the British did use spices until world war 2. Then it was decided that shipping is limited and spices were a luxury when the island needed an unending supply of food and guns.

Then instead of starting right back up in 1946, food remained an issue for the British through the 1950's. So the lack of spices became more accepted. It's the same reason America still has depression era dishes like chili.

Britain is actually starting to use spices again, just like the American beer scene is finally recovering from prohibition.

It's a shame so many people don't get to experience flavourful British food, or go with stereotypes, since there's a bunch of really nice stuff.

I even have a book from the 1700s detailing the use of various herbs.

This is the best use of this meme I have ever seen. It hit me in all the right spots xD

For money

Tomatoes were from America brought to Europe during the 16th century and add umami flavor to baked beans, not sure if that counts

Everyone is always mocking Britain's cuisine, but some of their food is good, like Shepard's Pie.

You know who doesn't get enough hate? The Belgians.

They specifically invented tikka masala for that

and for what!?

Ultimately? For humble pie.

The British were so hangry, so incredibly hung-over, so fed-up with the limited cuisine at home, that they colonized half the planet in search of a proper meal like their very lives depended on it. And for a time, the spice did indeed flow. But that quest cost countless lives, started many wars, and ultimately, ended in defeat. In the end, some people from those far off lands, now liberated, emigrated to their conqueror's homeland of their own free will and brought their pantries with them. In so doing, perhaps with a spicy side of defiance, meals are served in London daily that provide a reminder of how the surrounding kingdom is a mere shadow of it's former self.

PLEASE PUT BEAN IN TITLE!