Who can forget the dangers of innovation when it comes to Spanish cuisine? Jamie Olivier brought the two nations almost to the brink of war when he added chorizo to a recipe for paella.
And now British supermarket Morrisons has included its take on a traditional treat, cherished by the Spanish nation: The churro.
While Spaniards eat the sweet dough sticks as breakfast treat, tipped in a cup of thick rich chocolate, or as a pick-me-up after a night out on the town, Morrisons dared to come up with a new concept entirely.
Savoury churros filled with melted cheese for dipping in a tomato and red pepper salsa with a dry cheese sprinkle.
I had a feeling this wouldn’t sit well with the Spanish. So I turned to Twitter to find out.
British supermarket @Morrisons is launching the ultimate Christmas treat (apparently): Cheesy churros with tomato and red pepper sauce for dipping. Wait until Spain hears about this… https://t.co/6WxkFAOWUS pic.twitter.com/FJgTuh1RC2
— Fiona Govan (@fifimadrid) November 22, 2018
Spain didn’t disappoint.
Hundreds have commented on the post sharing their horror with humour. There’s been a few declarations of war, some very disparaging statements about Briitish food in general and quite a few mentions of Gibraltar.
Brexit has also reared its ugly head, with the general opinion being that in light of crimes against Spanish food, it can’t happen soon enough.
Here are some of the best responses.
“Wars have been declared over less,” replied @espball
“Keep Gibraltar but don't do this please,” wrote @bastaluek.
“'British cooking', nice oxymoron,” said @ckd_Haven.
“I'm Valenciano and I want to denounce this for cultural appropriation,” posted @jorgealvarzpedr
“A Brit cooking is like God creating the Platypus. Just stop with the 'Mode random on'” wrote @laratainfecta.
“We will strike back with fish & chips layered over maple syrup and sprouts. No survivors there,” warned @GLDdP.
That thing is terrorism, not churros.
— ras (@rastaflora) November 22, 2018
— El vispresident JC (@Josscamacho) November 22, 2018
A few comments made reference to another activity Brits are infamous for in Spain, that of falling off balconies during their holidays.
It’s a present. pic.twitter.com/ghzCI0rZTy
— kiko Barras (@Kikobamaga) November 22, 2018
Is that what the Brits eat before they jump off from balconies?
— Malko (@_raquelius_) November 22, 2018
There were plenty of memes showing true revulsion at the idea of cheesy churros.
— televisionnutritiva (@telenutritiva) November 22, 2018
— Plen (@Plen_) November 22, 2018
OMG! pic.twitter.com/VQcGl63gMH
— Landahlauts #4D (@landahlauts) November 23, 2018
— Fer Martin (@FerMar121) November 22, 2018
And memes suggesting declarations of war.
On their way pic.twitter.com/YhCWZkpO9A
— Soy un bot(ijo) (@CaosAzucarado) November 22, 2018
— jesuman (@charliedontshur) November 22, 2018
— ❌DonFranciscoQuevedo❌ (@DonFQuevedo) November 22, 2018
Some thought it was evidence that Brexit should happen as soon as possible.
British supermarket @Morrisons is launching the ultimate Christmas treat (apparently): Cheesy churros with tomato and red pepper sauce for dipping. Wait until Spain hears about this… https://t.co/6WxkFAOWUS pic.twitter.com/FJgTuh1RC2
— Fiona Govan (@fifimadrid) November 22, 2018
And others just perplexed that such a thing could be brought into existence.
— ??? (@mrs_leukocyte) November 22, 2018
EH…??? Esto no se puede consentir. @JRhodesPianist di algo, joé. Churros con salsa picante… pic.twitter.com/Ld1AVXTyN5
— VictoriaUve (@AtticusUve) November 22, 2018
— JDPM (@jdpmaragon) November 22, 2018
Some took offence that the creations – which are made of potato and not the sweet dough of traditional variety – could even be called 'churros' at all,
“The worst part is that these are made of POTATO. These are bloomin' fried gnocchi, nothing to do with churros!” pointed out @milkwasabad.
One wit even blamed Morrisons for the current stand-off between the Spanish Prime Minister and Theresa May over the Brexit deal.
Look what you’ve done https://t.co/rZvWKZJWqD
— Arturo Collins (@ArturoCollins) November 22, 2018
The one thing that was made abundantly clear was “Never ever mess with churros”:
— Lydia1311 (@Lidia1311) November 22, 2018