The Belgian Buns of Cornwall.

The Belgian Bun is a much more recent immigrant to the county. Rather like the rabbit, the Belgian Bun has travelled from Europe and quietly spread to every corner of the county. Its shining white peaks and glowing red cherries peer deliciously from bakers windows the length and breadth of Cornwall. It has been rumoured that like the Cornish Saints of the Dark Ages, the Belgian Bun travelled across the seas from Brittany and Ireland. Its true origins are shrouded in mystery. What is certain is that skilled continental Patissiers would throw up their hands in horror at the product that claims to originate with them.
The Belgian Bun has transformed itself, like the Baked Bean, into a unique and improbable food that will forever symbolise the cultural expectations of the United Kindgom as we sit, wavering between Empire and Europe. Sadly, the Belgian Bun seems to be doomed to slow extinction. It is unlikely that a baked product of such innane jollity could survive the onslaught of the cappucino and muffin. Office workers could not possibly eat them, and small children are being inducted into stylish cynicism long before they get the chance to smear the Belgian Buns sticky icing across their faces.
The world is changing.

This project aims to document the presence of Belgian Buns in Cornwall by using the simplest analytical techniques available: eating them!





Tesco, Pool. 19th August 2008


Sainsbury's, Truro. 27th August 2009.


Sainsbury's, Truro. 27th August 2009, reviewed 3rd September 2009.


Warrens, Redruth. 11th September 2009.


Aldi, Truro. 14th September 2009.


ASDA, Falmouth. 9th October 2009.


Morrisons, Pool. 12th November 2009.


Waitrose, Saltash. 22nd February 2010, reviewed 2nd March 2010.


Co-op, Redruth. 10th June 2010, reviewed 30th January 2011.


Sainsbury's, Helston. 4th July 2012.


Sainsbury's, Helston. 7th July 2012.