Ploughman’s Lunch Was Invented to Sell Cheese

Had a ploughman's lunch before? As you can tell by the spelling, it's extremely British, but Americans could absolutely support it. It is extremely reminiscent of a charcuterie board with a focus on bread and cheese. A variety of meats, possibly hard-boiled eggs, salad, fruit, sauces, and other foods can also be included. It is assembled quite simply and is served chilled. You can typically get a filling ploughman's for less than 10 pounds in pubs that serve food.

Despite the food's rustic appeal and the name, which implies that it was a long-time mainstay of a farmer's diet, the ploughman's lunch's real purpose is marketing. The BBC and the UK's Milk Marketing Board partnered to promote cheese in the 1960s. The ploughman's lunch was originally referenced here in an effort to increase cheese sales, especially in taverns. Although bread and cheese have obviously been eaten together for a very long time, the concept of trying to sell it as a distinct item under this exact name is just roughly 60 years old.