Experts dissect the argument between the horizontal, diagonal, and Y cut.
With back-to-school and back-to-work, the sandwich is likely the most popular go-to lunch food. When I was a wee one, every night before school, I would make my own lunch (a sandwich etc.) and pack it in a brown paper bag.
Before we cut into this...
Pertaining to savouring the ideal sandwich, both appearance and functionality are significant factors. Sandwich cutting may seem like a simple task that generally requires a knife, but what if you're in a position where a knife isn't readily available? For example, what if you have the Snack Pack Travel-sized Reusable Cutlery Set with you, which comes with a fork and spoon, but no knife? Fear not! In this blog post, we’ll explore some creative methods to slice a sandwich using the tools you have on hand.
Humans have been dividing sandwiches into rectangular or triangular half using either a horizontal or diagonal cut for decades, if not centuries. With a few notable variations (some individuals don't cut their sandwiches at all, and kids like the double-cut, which yields four squares), this is how it has always been. Being fair is very important to me, so I cut my sandwich right in the middle.
There isn't much research on sandwiches
Strangely enough, there doesn't appear to be much scientific research on the subject of slicing sandwiches; nevertheless, there are studies on how the sight of food might alter one's perception of it.
Penn State University researchers found that eating larger portions can lead to consuming more food. Despite the disparity in calorie content, 'ratings of hunger and fullness were not significantly different after eating the 12-inch and 8-inch sandwiches,' according to the study, which provided college students with sandwiches of various sizes.
Furthermore, a study from Arizona State University indicates that food intake may be influenced by its appearance. To illustrate this point, the report highlighted fifty years of sandwich-slicing research.
Nisbett and Storms (1972), varied the size and number of food pieces and found that subjects ate more when given four, quartered sandwiches (16 pieces) than the same sandwiches cut into 32 bite-sized pieces. The authors hypothesized that quartered sandwiches may have resembled “meals” that are typically eaten in large amounts, whereas, bite-sized pieces may have resembled “snacks” that are typically eaten in smaller amounts.
The diagonal cut is preferred by experts
Christopher Kimball's Milk Street digital editor, Claire Lower, who has been blogging about cuisine for more than ten years and holds a science degree, says, "I don’t see myself taking the time to do this, but I’m a big fan of anything that gets people to eat more sandwiches."
Nevertheless, she could understand the reasoning behind the cut, despite its seeming absurdity. "It's novel and (almost) symmetrical, which makes it seem genius even though it's only mildly clever. However, it also enables she or he to begin with three bites that they are certain will be 'excellent,' meaning that the fillings and condiments will be distributed evenly."
Barry Enderwick of Sandwiches of History on popsci has some thoughts.
'I’m on team triangle (diagonal cut). I understand the appeal of the Y cut, but for me, it’s all about the balance between how much sandwich I can get in a single bite and the effort involved. A diagonal cut offers a satisfying, big bite with minimal effort."
"I completely see the point about effort. However, I suspect that part of the Y cut's appeal lies in its unique visual appeal online. That said, I wouldn’t want to diminish anyone’s sandwich-related enjoyment, so I encourage everyone reading this to try their own experiments at home. The worst-case scenario? You’ll have an abundance of delicious sandwiches."
Whether or not the Y cut is the best way to slice a sandwich, I’m definitely hungry for lunch. No, I’m not having a sandwich today—probably tomorrow, but you will never know! :)
