Visitors to Britain are often surprised that class is still a major factor in our daily lives. The middle and upper classes may have adapted their accents and professed a liking for soccer but they cannot shake off their backgrounds entirely. Nowhere is this division more apparent than in what we eat. The edible class divide has a long history. In Roman times the elite ate anchovies with wine whereas the peasantry consumed the ancient equivalent of aerosol cheese. At first glance, breakfast now seems free of such class distinctions. We all like bacon and eggs.

According to Todd Chatterton, Director of Coffee and Tea at New York's Eleven Madison Park, Earl Grey—which consists of black tea flavored with Bergamot, a type of citrus—is one of the most fundamental, approachable types of tea, representing an "anchoring point in tea culture," due to its mild, balanced taste. "It's something that everyone has had once in their life."

It's difficult to bake a perfect croissant, but the classic French pastry is easy to define: a flaky crescent of buttery dough. Though people commit all sorts of crimes against croissants (like making them from substandard ingredients, drying them out and packing them in cellophane), they generally don't quibble with that definition. But Tesco, the UK's largest grocery chain, recently conducted a survey of its shoppers and found that a majority preferred its croissants to be straight, rather than crescent-shaped. The reason? Apparently, it's difficult to spread jam on a curvy croissant.

While England is already out of the World Cup, these five delicious British foods are guaranteed not to disappoint.

1. Shepherd's Pie
This classic British dish features chopped lamb with a mashed-potato topping.

2. Banger & Egg Sandwiches
Bangers (British slang for sausages), fried eggs and sharp cheddar cheese make up the filling for this fast breakfast sandwich.