What isThe Great British Bake Off? Technically, it's a British television show that airs in the U.S. on PBS asThe Great British Baking Show(the new season, season four, kicks off June 16th). But GBBS isn't just a show. It's aphenomenon; a "massage for the brain,” as one of my coworkers called it; and a shameful reminder that American cooking shows are cutthroat competitions full of backstabbing, smack-talking, and interpersonal drama.
Shame on us. Unlike Americans, the competitors on GBBS shout words of support and encouragement during intense moments. They offer help to one another. And you know what? Some of them might actually form genuine, long-lasting friendships.
But here's there thing. Those words of encouragement? We don't always know what they mean. Nor do we know what the heckpudsare.
So—not wanting to misunderstand a moment of the new season—we dug around for some definitions of the Britishisms heard most often on the show. And so that you can enjoy season four like a Brit, we're sharing our glossary with you.
Biscuit
Nope, not the soft, flaky kindyou’re thinking of. Across the pond, this is what they call acookie.
Pasty
Asavory Cornish pastry, like an empanada, stuffed with beef and root vegetables.
Bap
Sounds like onomatopoeia for hitting something with a rolling pin, but a bap is actually a bread roll, like the kind you get at a sandwich shop.Pass the baps, please!
Pudding/Pud
This refers to a dessert of any sort, not just ofthe custardy variety. "Pud" is also the cutest nickname in the world. Hopefully there are lots of nice British couples out there calling each other "Pud".
Saucy pud
Arguably an even better nickname, the saucy pud refers tolava cakeor any dessert with a cakey element and a gooey element.
Grill
If you were confused when, in previous seasons, contestants were asked to grill their cakes, you aren't alone. But, as I'm sure you realized while watching, it means to cook underthe broiler.
Fairy cake
Thankfully, these bakers aren't making crappy cakecovered with sprinkles. Fairy cakes are just mini cupcakes—which seems redundant, but they'readorable.
Hundreds and thousands
Speaking ofsprinkles—you'll hear them called hundreds and thousands on GBB. It's kind of a mouthful, but we won't question it.
Boiled sweets
Did you guess it means hard candy? If so, you're right. And if you guessed it means a slice of cake dropped in a pot of hot water, you're wrong.
Sponge
That'ssponge caketo you. Please don't get thisconfused.
Blooming
Ah, 'tis the most lovely time of year, birds are chirping and the dough is blooming...a.k.a.proofing.
Traybakes
Traybakes deserve their own space on the food pyramid: it's anything baked in a square or rectangle and cut up, likebrownies,blondiesand otherbar-shaped puds.
Soggy bottom
It means partially uncooked. Get your head out of the gutter.
Chelsea bun
Kind of like acinnamon roll, but with raisins and dried fruit inside. Kids everywhere are groaning.
Strong flour
Not really Hulk-like in strength, but this flour is super high in gluten, making it perfect forchewy breadsandbagels.
Plait
Pronounced like "plat", not "plate." This is when youbraidyour dough.
