(Photo: Getty Images)
The easiest way to give mealtimes a twist is by adding a British condiment. Here are eight of the most popular, including some that are very zingy:
1. HP Sauce
Though it's now made by Heinz in the Netherlands, HP Sauce still feels quintessentially British; it's actually named after the Houses of Parliament. Rich and flavorsome, it's a type of "brown sauce" made primarily from tomatoes and tamarind that is often slathered on a bacon sandwich or a portion of chips (French fries). Think of it as an alternative to tomato ketchup, really.

(Photo: Instagram / @hpsauceofficial)
2. Colman's Mustard
This traditional English mustard is synonymous with the city of Norwich, where it was produced for around 160 years. Since 2019 it's been made in Germany as well as another English town, Burton upon Trent, but it remains a fundamentally British way to add some tang to your sandwiches. It's hot, but not too hot.

(Photo: Instagram / @colmansuk)
3. Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
There are other brands of Worcestershire Sauce, but Lea & Perrins is the market leader. In fact, this zingy liquid condiment was invented by John Lea and William Perrins in the English city of Worcestershire in the early 19th century. Made from ingredients including vinegar, molasses, and anchovies, it's often added to slices of cheese on toast to make a traditional snack called Welsh rarebit. You'll also find it in most Bloody Mary cocktails.

(Photo: Instagram / @leaperrinsuk)
4. Branston Pickle
Branston Pickle celebrates its 100th birthday this year and is still made in the U.K: specifically, in the English town of Bury St Edmonds. It consists of various vegetables encased in a sticky brown sauce and is often used to give some crunch to a cheese sandwich. You'll also find it in a "Ploughman's lunch,"  a pub favorite featuring bread, cheese, cold meats, and condiments all served on a platter.

(Photo: Instagram / @bringoutthebranston)
5. Colman's Mint sauce
Made of finely chopped mint leaves soaked in vinegar, this enduringly popular sauce has a relatively thick consistency. It's generally served with roast lamb as part of a traditional Sunday lunch, especially around Easter time. Various food brands make their own version of mint sauce, including Colman's, and you'll find it on the shelves of any U.K. supermarket. 

(Photo: Instagram / @colmansuk)
6. Marmite
Technically, Marmite is a sandwich spread designed to be spread sparingly on bread or toast, but fans of its distinctive flavor may also use it as an all-purpose condiment. "Distinctive" is very much the word for the strong, salty flavor of this super-gloopy product made from yeast extract. It's so polarizing that in the U.K., the name "Marmite" has become a shorthand for something that people either love or hate, something the brand really leans into in its marketing. 

(Photo: Instagram / @marmite)
7. Bisto gravy
Bisto is the U.K.'s leading gravy brand. Just add boiling hot water to a few spoonfuls of their gravy granules and you have the perfect condiment for your Sunday lunch or a plate of chips (fries). Classic Bisto is beef-flavored, but you can now buy various other flavors including vegetarian and chicken options.

(Photo: Instagram / @bistrogravyuk)
8. Reggae Reggae Sauce
The BBC can claim to have played a part in Reggae Reggae Sauce's popularity. Chef and entrepreneur Levi Roots pitched his jerk barbecue condiment on a 2007 episode of Dragons' Den, a long-running BBC show where creatives seek investment from successful businesspeople. Roots secured the money he needed from two of the wealthy "dragons," Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh, and together they've turned Reggae Reggae Sauce into a household name that you'll find in grocery stores nationwide.

(Photo: Instagram / @official_levi_roots)
Do you have a favorite British condiment?