Written By When you think of Southern cuisine, Kentucky hot browns are likely to come to mind. This hearty sandwich is a staple of Kentucky cuisine, made with toasted bread, turkey, bacon, and a creamy cheese sauce. But what happens when you take this classic dish across the pond to London? You pair it with a quintessentially British drink: Earl Grey tea.
The combination may seem odd at first, but it actually works surprisingly well. The rich flavors of the hot brown are complemented by the floral notes of the Earl Grey tea, creating a unique and delicious experience.
Hot browns were invented in the 1920s by Fred K. Schmidt, the chef at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. The dish was created as a way to satisfy the hunger of late-night diners who wanted something more substantial than the typical ham and egg sandwich. Today, hot browns are a beloved part of Kentucky cuisine and can be found on menus throughout the state.
Earl Grey tea, on the other hand, has been a popular drink in Britain since the 19th century. It’s a black tea that is flavored with oil of bergamot, a type of citrus fruit. The tea is named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
So how did these two dishes come to be paired together? The answer lies in the fact that both are beloved in their respective regions and have a certain elegance to them. The hot brown is a hearty and satisfying dish that is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner, while Earl Grey tea is a sophisticated and refined drink that is often associated with high tea and other formal events.
The combination of the two is a testament to the way that food and drink can bring together different cultures and traditions. It’s a reminder that despite our differences, we all share a love of good food and drink, and that there is always something to be gained from exploring new culinary experiences.
If you find yourself in London and craving a taste of the South, head to The Savoy hotel, where they serve a hot brown as part of their American-style brunch menu. Pair it with a pot of Earl Grey tea and you’ll have a unique and delicious meal that blends the best of two different worlds.
And if you’re in Kentucky and want to try something a little different, consider making a pot of Earl Grey tea to go along with your hot brown. It may seem unconventional, but it’s a pairing that is sure to delight your taste buds and expand your culinary horizons.
In the end, the combination of hot browns and Earl Grey tea is a reminder that food and drink are about more than just sustenance – they are about culture, tradition, and the joy of exploring new experiences. So the next time you sit down to a meal, consider trying something new and unexpected. You never know what delicious surprises you might discover.
