Ever bitten into a Greggs sausage roll only to find it stone cold? Well, a Greggs employee has revealed why the bakery’s iconic pastries aren’t always warm.
One customer at Britain’s favourite bakery was left disappointed at never managing to find a pastry at the perfect temperature. Bemoaning their luck, the punter turned to Reddit, asking: “Why are the sausage and bean melts always cold?”
And in the comments, a Greggs worker shared a surprising truth: the pastries aren’t actually kept under a hot counter, despite what it looks like. Instead, the warmth of the bakes depends on how long they’ve been out of the oven.
Responding to the original post, they said: “Because it’s not actually under a hot counter, so when it comes out the oven it’s going to get cold. You have to get there at the right time.”
Some members on the discussion forum speculated that Greggs deliberately avoids heating its food to sidestep value-added tax (VAT), which would increase the price of the products. By keeping them unheated, they can be sold at a lower cost.
A response explained: “Technically they are exempt from VAT because they are not classed as a hot-food item. If you end up with one just out of the oven and it’s hot then you’re lucky.”
The “pasty tax,” a 20 per cent VAT on hot foods that cool down, was introduced by the government in 2012 as part of efforts to combat childhood obesity. The move sparked major outcry among pasty vendors and fans alike.
For example, if you paid £1.15 for a hot sausage roll, you’d end up paying an extra 23 pence. Interestingly, the tax doesn’t apply to cold takeaway food items, adding another layer to the debate. This theory has been confirmed by Greggs in an answer to one of its frequently asked questions on their website: “Why wasn’t my sausage roll hot?”
Greggs answer read: “We sell savouries which are freshly baked in our shop ovens then put on the shelf to cool. We don’t keep our savouries in a heated environment, or use heat retaining packaging, or market them as hot, as they are simply freshly baked throughout the day then left to cool. As bakers we believe that baking our savouries fresh each day gives customers the best quality savoury.
“If the sausage rolls and pasties were kept hot after they had been baked, then they would be subject to VAT and the customer would have to be charged a higher price, in the same way that we charge VAT on our hot sandwiches which are kept in a heated cabinet and are subject to VAT.”
This answer left many Greggs fans surprised, with one person saying: “I honestly never knew that. It explains a lot!!” while another said they were “shook” by the revelation.
One person shared their ideal way of enjoying Greggs, saying: “Molten hot is the only way. Nothing like a searing lava of beans and sausage to warm your cockles.” While another said: “I wish they would. I don’t care if it costs slightly more if it can be guaranteed hot.”
So, if you’re looking to get a piping hot steak bake or sausage roll, it’s best to wait for a fresh batch.
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