The traditional breakfast staple and sandwich filler has beaten a host of other food favourites in Britain’s first ever top 100 food index.
Bacon pipped more expensive offerings such as duck and lobster to claim the top spot. One in ten voted the sizzling snack as their favourite food followed by chicken and chocolate in second and third place respectively. 
Bacon sandwich © Rex
The survey revealed a top 10 dominated with meat, with steak, beef and lamb making the ranks.
[Related article: The craziest bacon products on the market]
When it came to fruit, the banana (8) proved our best-loved, ahead of apples (10) and strawberries (11) while asparagus (14) was our favourite vegetable.“The study shows we tend to be quite traditional and safe with our tastes - leaning towards ingredients considered staples rather than more unusual, luxury ingredients,” said top British chef, Andy Bates from The Food Network TV channel.
“We definitely favour foods we’re more familiar with but also those that are affordable, simple and versatile.”
[Related feature: Foods worth paying more for]
A number of British foods such as blue cheese and Sliton appear on the list, which quizzed 2,000 adults, with two-thirds of us claiming we use more of them than we did 10 years ago.
“It’s [bacon] British food at its best – simple, affordable and versatile – so it’s good to see it’s been crowned the nation’s number one ingredient.
[Related gallery: Britain's best limited edition foods]
“I’d love to see us using bacon even more; it may be simple but it packs a punch alongside scallops, pasta or even ice cream,” Bates added.
The top 100 ranges from everyday foods like baked beans (9), bread (7) and eggs (23) to more exotic delicacies such as sushi (58), avocado (12) and chorizo (39).
Top 10 foods:
1. Bacon
2. Chicken
3. Chocolate
4. Steak
5. Beef
6. Lamb
7. Bread
8. Banana
9. Baked beans
10. Apples
