In times of crisis, foods from our childhood can provide a lot of comfort.
And apparently, our dish of choice is trifle – we’ve been buying mountains of the stuff during the pandemic.
Sales of packet trifle kits have risen by 738 per cent this year, compared with 2019, researchers have found.
Other Seventies dishes have had a resurgence too, according to the Co-op’s shopping trends study.
Other 70s dishes have also seen a resurgence too, according to the Co-op’s shopping trends study. Other items on the comeback list were tinned pineapple slices (left), up 343 per cent and custard powder, (right) up 336 per cent
Also on the comeback list are tinned pineapple slices, up 343 per cent, custard power, up 336 per cent and tinned mandarins, up 334 per cent.
Packet jelly saw a rise of 342 per cent, canned ham by 179 per cent, pickled onions by 166 per cent, and canned corned beef at 90 per cent.
Sales of long-life milk shot up 81 per cent, at a time when shoppers were panic buying and stocking up on pantry goods.
Even powdered mash brand Smash saw sales jump by 59 per cent.
Sales of tinned mandarins (pictured) were up 334 per cent, with food psychologist Dr Christy Fergusson crediting the resurgence in comfort foods with those trying to recreate feelings of comfort, relaxation and joy through their meals
Other foods which saw an increase in sales during lockdown included packet jelly (left), with a rise of 342 per cent, and canned ham (right) by 179 per cent
Food psychologist Dr Christy Fergusson revealed: ‘During a time when people haven’t been able to spend time with family and friends, it’s no surprise they have been trying to recreate those feelings of comfort, relaxation and joy through their meals.
The taste of food can trigger associative memories so could explain why Brits have been turning to nostalgic desserts such as packet trifle and custard, which may remind them of fond childhood times with family and friends.’
Meanwhile, in the ready meal aisles, a rise in sales of comfort food reflected the chaotic world outside.
The Co-op’s biggest-selling ready meal was chicken tikka masala, ahead of cottage pie, macaroni cheese, beef lasagne, and sausages and mash.
The survey found one in three households have been enjoying cooking from scratch, particularly the 25 to 35 age range.
However, it is not clear whether much of this home cooking extends beyond packet trifle and Smash.
A survey of 2,000 customers also found they were buying food to last for up to ten days, compared with three days before lockdown.
One shopper also bought six times as much tinned fish, as well as three times their usual amount of pulses and grains.
Matt Hood, Co-op’s commercial director, said: ‘With an increase in at-home dining occasions during lockdown, customers turned to traditional recipes and pub classics to keep them comforted during the uncertain times.
‘We’ve noticed that shoppers purchased six times as much fresh meat, with pork and beef seeing the biggest uplift, as we know households were spending more time cooking from scratch.
‘Packet mixes such as instant mash potato, trifle and custard… also sold really well.’
Meanwhile, in the ready meal aisle, a rise in sales of comfort food reflected the chaotic world outside. The Co-op’s biggest-selling ready meal was chicken tikka masala (pictured)
Beef lasagne (left) and mac and cheese (right) were also among the top selling ready meals during the pandemic