Britons are giving their summer suppers a distinctly Mediterranean feel, with a new survey suggesting that the familiar British "picky tea" has shifted away from corned beef, coleslaw and sandwich spreads towards olives, flatbreads, chorizo and other continental favourites. According to the research, June is now the month when many households stop relying on the oven and turn instead to grazing meals, often served several times a week.

The study found that 83% of respondents believe the humble picky tea has changed markedly, while one in three say white sliced bread now feels outdated and 21% regard mini gherkins as old-fashioned. Foods including Serrano ham, falafel, frittata and Spanish tortilla now feature more prominently, with olives seen as the item most likely to make a spread feel more sophisticated and Mediterranean. The survey of 2,000 adults also pointed to a later summer dining pattern, with 8pm emerging as a more common supper time among Gen Z.

Food writer and chef Omar Allibhoy said the change reflects both travel and the broader transformation of British tastes. Speaking in response to the findings, he said these meals have moved a long way from improvising with whatever was in the fridge and are now closer to lighter tapas-style suppers, suited to hot weather and busy lives. He argued that supermarket shelves have steadily filled with Mediterranean ingredients as demand has grown for food that is quick to assemble but still feels like a holiday at home.

The appetite for casual summer grazing is echoed in other recent research. Orchard Pig found that 89% of Britons consider picky tea their preferred warm-weather meal, although their survey suggested more traditional staples still matter, with sausage rolls, mature cheddar and pork pies among the most common inclusions. Marks & Spencer and Morrisons have both responded with expanded ranges of Mediterranean-inspired and hot tapas-style products, underscoring how retailers are tailoring their summer lines to a public that increasingly wants convenience without giving up flavour.

That shared, social aspect appears to be part of the appeal. The new survey found that 84% of people enjoy eating this way with friends and family, with younger adults especially likely to embrace the idea of food as something to be passed around the table rather than plated separately. For many households, the message is simple: summer has arrived, and dinner can be lighter, later and far more continental than it used to be.

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