Health & Fitness Tools

Fancy A Muffin? So Does Everyone Else

28th January, 2010 - Posted by health news -

For many people, lunchtime means going out of the office to a local cafe, coffee shop or supermarket. There, you can buy savoury products, hot and cold drinks and sweet treats for afters. A bad day at the office can set off a mass purchase of all things chocolaty. For pudding or as a treat with coffee; the muffin is a popular choice. They can be eaten with little mess and come in a variety of flavours so everyone can find one they like.

The muffin is now considered to be a gourmet snack by many because of its shape and flavours. In part this is down to the growth of gourmet coffee chains like Starbucks. Those who are picky over the food feel better knowing that luxury ingredients are used like Belgian chocolate and fresh fruits and berries.
Even people on a diet can enjoy a muffin with the introduction of the famous ‘skinny muffin’ in a variety of sweet flavours. The skinny muffin benefits all because dieters have something tasty and healthy to eat whilst the shops retain customers.

the shape and size of muffins has also changed how we look at them. When first sold in coffee houses and shops, muffins were relatively small and evenly shaped. Then muffins got a whole lot bigger and they ended up being large at the top with a slimmer base. The ‘muffin top’ has even made its way into every-day speech as we refer to stomachs that creep over tight trousers as a muffin top.

In recent years however the flower-pot or tulip muffin has become the most popular. The new shape is a little smaller than the large-topped muffins, this is because people are more health conscious and are less likely than before to eat a huge portion of muffin. many also come in a luxury wrapping around the base which gives them the flower-pot name.

The muffin is one of the most popular snack and dessert items in the world and a profitable addition to the shelf of any coffee shop, cafe, even pubs as an alternative to the savoury snacks usually on offer.