Whether it was a lashing of butter on two slices after a laborious day at school or a dollop of jam that seeping between the porous, carby goodness while I sat in bed during a Saturday-morning, watching SMTV Live, crumpets were a staple component of my diet growing up.
To this day, every time I smell, see or hear a crumpet (you know, the sound when a knife lathered with butter glides over its crispy coating?) in the kitchen, it evokes memories of schooldays, family and home.
But, such food nostalgia has just been destroyed, as research by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH), has found that crumpets contain as much salt as three, yes three, bags of crisps.
Oh, hell no.
According to health campaigners, Warburtons Giant Crumpets (my personal favorite) were the biggest culprits for high salt quantities, with 1.55g of salt per crumpet (the same as a three crisp bags) while Waitrose's crumpets contained half the concentration of salt, with 0.75g per 100g.
'Er, just eat Waitrose crumpets then, you crumpet-obsessed weirdo', I hear you cry.
Well no, because CASH has warned that people who eat two or more crumpets (#guilty) with added salty goodness, such as cheese or Marmite, could find they're unknowingly eating more than a third of their daily recommended salt intake.
According to the survey, of the 27 crumpets tested, over a quarter exceeded the maximum salt levels required for 2017, which clearly states that crumpets should contain a salt content of 1.25g or less, per 100g.
The news follows an announcement earlier this year by CASH that hummus – yes, that lovely oat-coloured dip you so adore with crisps and carrot sticks – was full of high levels of salt and fat.
If you need a sit down, I totally understand. It's a lot to take in so close to Christmas.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Katharine Jenner – nutritionist and campaign director for CASH – said:
'It's shocking that certain brands of crumpets still contain more salt than 3 bags of ready salted crisps.
'It's imperative that retailers, food manufacturers and the out of home catering sector work much harder to help us achieve the public health goal of consuming no more than 6g salt per person per day,' she added.
So, it might be goodbye for now, dear crumpet. But, one day, I hope you will reduce your salt intake and we will meet again.
Farewell, crump.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
