Worcester Sauce

I know the Americans usually have trouble saying Worcester Sauce, sometimes calling it Worcestershire Sauce, but I had long forgotten about this delicious seducer of taste buds. When it comes to lunch, I usually have a couple of slices of toast and a Banana and that does me until my main dinner usually around 6:00 pm.

Cheddar

Today though, there was some Cheddar cheese that needed to be used before expiring and I do hate to see food go to waste, so, to make my lunch that little bit ‘lunchier’, I had cheese on toast. They call it Welsh Rarebit around these parts, but I have yet to discover why.

Surprise

While waiting like a good boy at the table, my lovely wife came out of the kitchen, clutching a small bottle of something. ‘I think you’ll enjoy this with your lunch’ she said and put it on the table. Whoa, a bottle of Worcester Sauce! It wasn’t the original Lee & Perrins, but a Sainsbury’s own brand. Nevertheless, I thought it was my birthday!

Others Too

It wasn’t long before the cheese on toast arrived and I opened the bottle and sprinkled on the sauce. Oooh, that smell, is so distinctive and inviting. I know it’s only cheese on toast and it goes well with most sauces, tomato, Daddies brown, H.P. and many others that I can’t remember, but with Worcester sauce, well, what can I say? Delicious.

Last Forever

It was so nice, I didn’t want to eat my banana afterwards, I wanted the taste memory to linger as long as it could. I did eventually get to eat the banana and thought about sprinkling it with Worcester sauce, but decided against it. I love a little treat especially when I’m not expecting it. We all do, don’t we?

Worcestershire

I’ve only just realised that Lee & Perrins call it ‘Worcestershire Sauce’ yet I always thought it was ‘Worcester Sauce’. Anyway, if you’d like to know more about this delight, here’s more about it on Wikipedia.

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82 Comments
  • SueW
    October 7, 2022

    We always call it Worcester sauce too.
    I’m a big fan of cheese on toast. Last week I even had it for my late breakfast, but like you, I can never understand why cafe menus call it Welsh Rarebit.

    I’ve not had it with Worcester sauce but sometimes I have it with marmite.
    I could probably eliminate almost everything from my diet except cheese. 🙂

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you, Sue. I often have toast with just Marmite. The Worcester sauce on the cheese though was just delicious. 😊

  • Geo. Raymond
    October 7, 2022

    I’m sold. Gonna try it on cheese toast.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you and yes, try it, it’s delicious 😋

  • WebbBlogs
    October 7, 2022

    I have a hard time saying Worcestershire . I say “war chester” not sure if thats correct but thats the way it comes out of my mouth lol. And yes I am an American haha 😄 😆 Also I love cheese on my toast. I’m not sure how it would taste with the worcheshire/Worcestershire sauce though 🤔 might just give it a try some day 😋 🤔

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you and yes, give it a try. 😊

    • 9erick
      October 7, 2022

      I always said worshchester sauce. Guess I’m alone in that.

      • Trev
        October 7, 2022

        I’ve heard it said many ways. Thank you. 😊

  • harmonykentonline
    October 7, 2022

    Mmm, now you’ve made me hungry! Anything with melted cheese is good in my book 💕🙂

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      I agree. Go on, treat yourself. Thank you 😊

  • Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie
    October 7, 2022

    I am partial to a slice of cheese on toast, but you can keep the worcest…. sauce. I can’t spell or say it properly!

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you. It is delicious. 😊

  • PoeEternal
    October 7, 2022

    I think us Americans use slang like all other countries but we’re shamed as “stupid” by the same countries who push propaganda here that make us stupid.

    I’ll probably keep saying it the wrong way but I rarely ever even use it because most of the food here in America is being poisoned anyway

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you. It’s the same here with pronunciation, I think of the old song, ‘I say tomato and you say tomato.’ 😊

  • luisa zambrotta
    October 7, 2022

    What a delicious toast, Trev! You made me hungry

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you, Luisa, it was delicious. Enjoy your lunch. 😊

  • conniejjasperson
    October 7, 2022

    I live on the Northwestern coast of the US, near Seattle. My grandmother called it Wooster Sauce and so do we all. Except Great Aunt Gladys who called it Woo Woo sauce. But she was a flapper and had a tattoo back when that was “just disgraceful.” Now there was an awesome old lady.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Lol, she sounds a very interesting lady, thank you, Connie. 😊

  • Lou Carreras
    October 7, 2022

    Some wags, either through idiocy, or habit call it Welsh rabbit. At least here in New England.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      It does seem strange, but thank you, Lou. 😊

  • susiesopinions
    October 7, 2022

    I have never heard an American say it correctly 🤣

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      🤣🤣thank you, Susie. 😊

  • Gibson Square
    October 7, 2022

    I like to keep my Lee & Perrins until it’s out of date, seems to give it a stronger taste. Incidentally, in Sheffield they Henderson’s Sauce. Nobody up there would use any other Worcestershire (or is that Yorkshire?) sauce tgan Hendo’s.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      I have never heard of Henderson’s. Thank you 😊

  • June Lorraine Roberts
    October 7, 2022

    Delicious!

    • Trev
      October 8, 2022

      Thank you, June. 🙂

  • juliecroundblog
    October 7, 2022

    Apparently it really did start off as ‘Welsh Rabbit’ as a joke – but was changed later as there was no rabbit in it! You can use Lea and Perrins on stir fry if you don’t have any soy sauce.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you, Julie, I will remember that about the soy sauce 😊

  • Jim Flanigan
    October 7, 2022

    Yes, us Yanks struggle with that name. I think I pronounce it as worstchesture, so I try and pronounce it infrequently, if at all. And I’m not sure if I have ever used it. And the Welsh rarebit/rabbit actually being cheese on toast? Well, that’s disappointing. Thanks for the culinary education.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      You’re welcome Jim and thank you. 😊

  • Carolyn
    October 7, 2022

    Oh when I saw the photo I began to salivate! Welsh rarebit was always one of my favourite things. When I was little my mum took us for a treat and my brother got a knickerbocker glory but when I was asked what I wanted I said “I want that what smells!” Someone nearby had Welsh rarebit. That’s what I got and I loved it. So your post takes me a long way back! Worcester sauce too.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you, Carolyn, I am pleased I jogged a memory for you 😊

  • John
    October 7, 2022

    Thanks for the link, Trev, I love this sauce! I use both versions of the name. 🇬🇧❤️

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      You’re welcome John and thank you 😊

  • SusanR
    October 7, 2022

    A favorite treat since childhood: a grilled cheese sandwich with Worcestershire sauce for dipping or dribbled on. For me it’s always been Lee & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, and it’s a staple in my house. I pronounce it woo-sta-sheer or something like that.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you, Susan. Your pronounciation sounds perfect. 😊

  • nonsmokingladybug
    October 7, 2022

    I Austria, where I grew up, we called it “W-sauce” because nobody knew how to pronounce either Worcestershire or Worcester. 🙂 It’s my favorite sauce especially on steak or in ground meat when I make meatloaf or burgers.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you and thank you for making me feel really hungry. 😊

  • Rosaliene Bacchus
    October 7, 2022

    My father also loved Worcester Sauce and used it with all of his meals 🙂

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you as always, Rosaliene. 😊

  • Herb
    October 7, 2022

    That sounds tasty. I gave up on pronouncing it correctly a long time ago and now I just say it in the silliest sounding way that comes out of my mouth. Everyone knows what I mean, though.

    • Trev
      October 7, 2022

      Thank you, Herb, tell it as it is. 😊

  • markbierman
    October 8, 2022

    I’ve never been able to pronounce it correctly.

    • Trev
      October 8, 2022

      Thank you, Mark, perhaps they should change the name of it. 😊

  • Going Batty in Wales
    October 9, 2022

    Worcester(shire) sauce isn’t something I perticularly enjoy so I rarely have it in the house. I prefer marmite with cheese. But having something different and something you really enjoy is always nice.

    • Trev
      October 9, 2022

      I do love Marmite too, thank you. 😊

  • francis89aj
    October 9, 2022

    Hmmm I guess the kids would love it, I will try it for the kids. Please help polish our dreams to the world so we can make it a better place by caring and showing love to the motherless kids homeless and have no one to care for them or their education. Organizing this website is to help make some income for the orphanage home kids life keep. The Ute community orphanage home foundation is crying 😭😭 out to the world for help and assistance so they can live a better life and also to know that the world care about their living just like if they had parents.

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  • mitchteemley
    October 9, 2022

    Worsestershire, a county in the Midlands, has one of those charmingly multisyllabic old place names that aquired an abbreviated pronunciation over the years (you Welsh know at bit about that). “WUS-tər-shər” is the correct way to say it, even in America, but a lot of us don’t know that. Enjoy, Trev!

    • Trev
      October 9, 2022

      Sounds about right, thank you, Mitch. 🙂

    • boromax
      November 13, 2022

      Right on, Mitch. That is how my family has always pronounced it, except we left off the ‘r’ in the second syllable. Many times, though, we would say “what’s this here” sauce! 🙂

  • Eileen
    October 10, 2022

    Yum – I sprinkle the sauce on before I grill the cheese. Welsh rarebit is more like a thick cheese sauce mixed with english mustard and a splash or two of dark ale (or Guinness in our house). Double yum!

    • Trev
      October 10, 2022

      That’s a great idea about sprinkling Worcester sauce first. I don’t know if I’d like the Guinness though. Thank you, Eileen. 🙂

  • Now I want steak, and now how to pronounce it properly. 🙂

    • Trev
      October 11, 2022

      Thank you, enjoy your steak and pronounce it as, Wus-ter sauce. 😊

  • JosieHolford
    October 18, 2022

    I had a big disappointment today. Made toasted cheese for lunch and looked for the HP Sauce. And there it was gone!
    Tragic drama.
    Was forced to use a chili crisp as an inadequate substitute,

    • Trev
      October 18, 2022

      Oh dear, that’s a terrible feeling when that happens. Buy two bottles next time. Thank you, Josie. 😊

  • marlagro
    October 20, 2022

    More blogs…you’re great!

    • Trev
      October 20, 2022

      Thank you very much, that’s very kind of you. 🙂

  • Phyllis Moore MythRider
    October 24, 2022

    I’ve not had toasted cheddar cheese with Worcestershire Sauce, sorry, Worcester Sauce. Sounds yummy.

    • Trev
      October 24, 2022

      It is delicious, Phyllis. Thank you 🙏 😊

  • Peace Truth
    October 24, 2022

    Australians love Worcestershire Sauce. We all love salt and vinegar oh my goodness 🫣. Over time the old Australians had their own formula made at home 🏡. Today on the supermarket shelf the branding is the same but it is water down like water. I only like my sauce the old way creamy and thick home made 🤫🤫

    • Trev
      October 24, 2022

      Thank you. 😊

      • Peace Truth
        October 24, 2022

        Thank you for sharing your life 🌿☘️🌿🌱🍃

        • Trev
          October 24, 2022

          You’re welcome 😊

  • unholypursuit
    October 28, 2022

    😊 Americans can say the word just fine when they want to. 🙂

    • Trev
      October 28, 2022

      Thank you 😊

  • Crystal Byers
    November 6, 2022

    I probably avoid using it so I don’t have to say it. I like Allegro.

    • Trev
      November 6, 2022

      Thank you, Crystal. 😊

  • Ce que j’ai pu me régaler de cette sauce! Découverte lors d’un voyage à Londres à la fin des années 80.

    • Trev
      November 10, 2022

      Thank you 😊

  • sunnydaysinseattle
    November 9, 2022

    Haha the English, just like the Gloucester, they don’t pronounce the “ce”. Same deal with Greenwich 🙂

    • Trev
      November 10, 2022

      Indeed. Thank you 😊

  • Kelly Louise Allen
    November 10, 2022

    Cheese in the fridge. Sourdough’s in the oven. I’m looking the Lee & Perrins!

    • Trev
      November 10, 2022

      Enjoy 😉

  • the press music reviews
    November 13, 2022

    Love it. Great read. Have it on my cereal 😋

    • Trev
      November 14, 2022

      Thank you 😊

  • willedare
    December 8, 2022

    What a delightful blog post. I, too, ” hate to see food go to waste” — which can lead to all sorts of culinary combinations and innovations… Thank you!

    • Trev
      December 8, 2022

      Thank you, Will. 😊

  • kevinashton
    January 11, 2023

    Whilst working in Amsterdam at the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, I had an American colleague named Mial Parker, a great chef who went on to represent his country several times at the Culinary Olympics. He was convinced that Lea & Perrins Worcester sauce was made in New Jersey!

    Of course I put him straight of that weird notion but your blog post and your mention of how Americans struggle to pronounce Worcester made me curious to get to the bottom of this and sure enough he was in a way right you see Lea & Perrins has a American subsidiary that manufactures Lea & Perrins under licence in New Jersey! So whilst they struggle to pronounce it they do make it!

    *The Original and Genuine Worcester Sauce, which was first sold in 1838 by John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins, dispensing chemists from Worchester.

    • Trev
      January 12, 2023

      Thank you, Kevin, interesting. I never knew about the manufacturing plant in New Jersey. It’s a wonder they didn’t change the spelling to suit their pronunciation. 😊

  • roksanaamelia
    May 13, 2023

    I love cheese. I don’t like Worcester sauce much.

    And I do love to eat.
    And you know?
    People who love to eat are always the best people 😊

    Happy healthy wish for you ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

    • Trev
      May 17, 2023

      Thank you, Roksana. I can’t argue with that, I do love eating 🙂