Is there anything more regal than a cucumber sandwich? Though it may seem simple, there are ways to elevate your noble cucumber sarnie and make it the best afternoon tea treat! So if you are planning a great British get-together, then follow these tips for the most quintessential English dish.

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The art of avoiding a soggy sandwich

Cucumber is very wet – it’s 96% water, in fact – and teamed with sliced bread, it can lead to a soggy mess.

Historically, kitchen porters would peel the cucumber and remove the seeds, which make up the wettest part of the cucumber. Then, the cucumber would be sliced thinly and dipped in white wine vinegar for a second before being layered on the bread. However, more recently, lemon juice has been found to bring that perfect amount of zest without overpowering the light dish.

Did you know that the Queen used to have a hidden ingredient in her cucumber sandwiches, served on the grass behind Buckingham Palace – can you guess what it was?

To crust or not to crust?

When it comes to the bread, the softer the bread the better and, to keep up with tradition, it should be a sliced white loaf. Anything with seeds or with a dense or chewy texture is not going to work with this delicate sandwich. That said, please avoid using budget, store-bought bread.

Crusts are entirely your choice, but to keep up with appearances, a neat sandwich with the crusts removed is sure to impress your guests.

Salted or unsalted?

Butter is a great barrier between the wet cucumber and dry bread, and using salted butter will give you that hint of seasoning that is required – you won’t need any more salt than that! To complete your seasoning, we suggest a twist of pepper, et voilà, your majestic cucumber sandwich is complete.

Serve with traditional crisps and other light snack food for the ultimate buffet feast.