Increasingly popular and considered a culinary delicacy, snails have featured in the human diet since pre-historic times. 

Across the ancient world, including the Roman Empire, snails were harvested regularly to satisfy high demand.

Today, snails continue to generate a huge industry, particularly for restaurants, where discerning customers are tempted by the many and varied dishes available.

Offering snails has become ‘the norm’ as diners find their taste buds suitably impressed. They are regularly consumed in European cuisine, providing a delicious alternative as either an appetiser or a main course.

Plenty of recipes exist and the enjoyment of cooking and eating snails is not just restricted to fine eating establishments; the domestic market has shown a significant surge in recent years.

Snails are generally associated with France, where ‘Escargot’ (snails eaten in a dish) have long been a national favourite. In the UK, snails feature consistently in our diets as people appreciate both the wonderful array of dishes and the high nutritional diet.

Millions of snails are consumed around the world every year and there is even a special day set aside to celebrate it – May 24th is National Escargot Day!