Paul McCartney favored simple, blue-collar foods and adopted vegetarianism in the 1970s after seeing lambs on his farm while eating lamb chops. His preferred post-performance sandwich is a British cheese and Branston pickle sandwich made with English Cheddar, bread, and optional butter. Branston pickle is a relish-like chutney of rutabaga, cauliflower, carrots, and onion in a malt vinegar-based pickling liquid. The pickle contains tomato puree, date paste, and apples, producing sharp, spicy, sweet, tangy, and umami flavors. The condiment’s complexity elevates a basic cheese sandwich, and a nutty, aged cheddar pairs best.
The sandwich is just as simple as it sounds, containing cheese (ideally English Cheddar), bread, pickles, and an optional spread of butter. We would liken it to a sandwich version of the British ploughman's lunch - which at its most basic includes bread, cheese, onions, and pickles. However the pickle part of the equation is not quite what Americans probably imagine. McCartney specifies that it's the Branston pickle, which is traditionally used.
Branston pickle can transform a simple cheese sandwich into something special with its uniquely complex flavor. It's not just tangy, as the pickling liquid is also made with tomato puree, date paste, and apples. It hits a total taste bud combo of sharp, spicy, sweet, with a strong umami element as well. With so much flavor it needs very little else to compliment it. As for choosing the best cheddar, a nutty aged option
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