For office workers and many others, lunchtime means heading to the local supermarket, coffee shop or cafe for something to eat. There they can buy savoury products, drinks and sweet treats. Sweet products are most commonly bought by people experiencing a bad day. For pudding or as a treat with coffee; the muffin is a popular choice. They can be eaten with little mess and come in a variety of flavours so everyone can find one they like.
New recipes and different designs now mean that the humble muffin has developed into a gourmet item. In part this is down to the growth of gourmet coffee chains like Starbucks. Luxury ingredients like Belgian chocolate chips and the freshest fruits are used so that even discerning eaters are tempted to nibble on the top of a muffin.
Sweet treats are no longer just for those who aren’t on a diet, now people watching their weight can indulge in a ‘skinny muffin’ of lemon, blueberry and many other flavours. The health conscious feel that they are eating something which tastes good whilst being healthy for them and the coffee companies do not lose valuable customers.
our attitudes have also changed towards muffins because of their shape and size. When first sold in coffee houses and shops, muffins were relatively small and evenly shaped. Then came the dawn of the massive topped muffin which was bigger than the traditional size. This is where the term ‘muffin top’ came from which we use to describe stomachs that are being squeezed over tight trousers.
The flower-pot muffin is the newest shape to hit the shelves. This has been partly triggered by the reluctance of consumers to eat such a big portion all in one sitting, as this new design is a little smaller and more even between top and bottom. The name flower-pot comes from the fine paper that surrounds the bottom of the muffin.
Coffee stores and shops can make a lot of money from having muffins on their shelves as can pubs where customers like the sweet alternative to crisps and pork scratchings.