One in four Brits enjoy a tasty wrap as often as three times a week – but how do you build your sandwich alternative? And what does this say about your personality?
Body language expert, Judi James, has identified six different types of people when it comes to preparing a wrap at mealtimes – from how they load in the fillings, to how they fold it all up before tucking in.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the “careful crafters”, who ensure their wrap is never overfilled, and the sides are always tucked in perfectly evenly, tend to be perfectionists, with a keen eye for detail – and an aversion to chaos.
Meanwhile, the “fumblers”, who will bundle all their ingredients together in the centre of the wrap, and fold, roll, or scrunch it as they see fit, are more easy-going and laid-back, and typically lead a very busy life.
Similarly, “wrap hackers”, who like to mix things up with new and unique flavour combinations, and are often inspired by TikTok recipes, are also social butterflies, and most likely to offer to host a get-together with family and friends.
And one thing that is agreed upon, by three-quarters (76%) of adults who like to tuck into a wrap, is that the technique when crafting it is an integral part of their overall enjoyment of the snack.
However, almost half (47%), of the 2,000 people polled, would rate their wrap assembling skills as simply “average” – with 48% keen to learn new ways to build the perfect wrap.
A third of those polled say their biggest struggle is with overfilling their wrap – and 29% agree their biggest bugbear is not being able to keep it closed, once it is ready to eat.
The research was commissioned by Mission Foods, who teamed up with Judi James to reveal the wrap personality types.
And Judi James said: “Our approach to food is strongly linked to our approach in life – which is why first dates often involve an intimate meal together, giving us subliminal clues about the other person’s character and behavioural traits.
“A wrap is a stand-alone eating experience, because it is both the food itself, and the carrier that holds your chosen filling, allowing you to eat it as a complete meal.
“Unlike the simple sandwich, it requires a certain amount of flair to assemble – meaning it allows us to express ourselves and our personality traits in the way we chose to do so.
“What makes it even more revealing is that there are so many different ways to enjoy a wrap, with little or no etiquette filter on how to assemble one – making it all about personal choice.”
The findings revealed 39% will always close one end of the wrap and roll it up, making this their go-to method – but 26% will typically close both ends, before shaping it like a burrito. And almost two-thirds (63%) are confident enough with their method, to serve their self-created meal to someone else.
It takes the average wrap-eater two minutes to assemble their meal, with 78% most likely to eat theirs at home. And 18-24-year-olds emerged as the most frequent wrap eaters, according to the OnePoll.com data.
Meanwhile, more than four in 10 (42%) prefer their wrap served warm – although 23% reckon it depends on the fillings.
Mayonnaise was voted the best sauce, beating sweet chilli, garlic, and BBQ – with 31% preferring to add their condiment of choice before adding the other ingredients. Chicken, ham, and tuna are among the top wrap fillings, with lettuce, cheese, and tomato cited as popular secondary options.
A spokesman for Mission Foods added: “Wrapping can definitely be an artform, and it seems everyone has their own technique when it comes to packaging up their favourite ingredients.
“It has been great to work with Judi to discover the nation’s various wrapping techniques, and what these say about their personality, as well as their approach to other areas of their lives.
“No matter how you choose to wrap, or the fillings you go for, there is enjoyment to be found in any meal or snacking occasion. We encourage people to embrace their own style, and have fun when constructing their culinary creations – however you make it, make sure it’s unmistakably yours.”
WHAT YOUR FOLDING TECHNIQUE SAYS ABOUT YOU, ACCORDING TO JUDI JAMES:
- The Hopeful Overloader: The sky’s the limit, and so is your appetite. You tend to build the biggest wrap possible to fit as much as you can into each bite. It might not always be neat and tidy, but who cares when it tastes this good? In life you’re determined, with a have-it-all sense of ambition. Quitting is not in your handbook, but getting what you want is. You’re a big picture thinker, and work hard to reach your goals. Creative, imaginative, and strong-willed are words that those closest to you would use to describe your personality.
- The Careful Crafter: Your approach to folding a wrap is precise and considered – you know exactly how to construct it, so the sides are perfectly even, and the filling is neatly contained. Your wrap is never overfilled, and you’ve got the technique mastered down to a tee. Logical and measured, you have a keen attention to detail, and an allergy to chaos. You’re a perfectionist in life, and like to ensure everything is done with meticulous precision. You leave nothing to chance, and thrive on forward planning – there’s no chance you’ll go to the fridge and realise you’ve forgotten to buy one of your favourite fillings.
- The One-Folder: You’re a “lunch al-desko” type of person. Why bother with four folds when you can do one? Most likely to go for a half-moon, taco-style fold – it’s all about time efficiency in your eyes. You’re a practical eater, who’s more focused on feeling full than how to get there. Wraps are a staple in your diet as they’re quick and easy, and fit perfectly into your time-restricted day. You’re likely to be a self-diagnosed workaholic, with a demanding job and a never-ending to-do list. You thrive under pressure, and love to be busy. You pride yourself on being an expert multi-tasker, and tend to eat on-the-go, or spend your lunch replying to emails while tucking into your food. You’re someone who just really can’t stand to have a quiet weekend, and always needs to be doing something!
- The Wrap Hacker: Adventurous and imaginative, you love trying new fillings, mixing and matching to discover unique flavour combinations and taste experiences. You get your inspiration online, and are always one of the first to try out a new TikTok wrap hack or recipe. You’re an innovator who sees possibilities in everything. Always optimistic, you tend to look on the bright side of life, with a restless desire to expand your horizons and try new things. A social butterfly, you like to keep connected with friends and family, and are always the first to offer to host the next get-together.
- The Traditionalist: Calm and confident, you’re a creature of habit, and you thrive on routine. You know that balance is the secret to life, and you have a clear view on your likes and dislikes. Your contentment levels are high, and pleasure comes when you know what you’re going to get, and can look forward to it. You see food as a source of comfort, and like to relax eating it rather than taking risks and experimenting. Your meal choices are considered, and you often make the same recipes – because why fix something that isn’t broken? You’re the type of person who lives by Wrap Wednesdays or Fajita Fridays, and enjoys knowing what’s to come each week. In day-to-day life, you are cheerful and carefree, and you never strive for perfection. Your loved ones would describe you as easy-going and dependable.
- The Fumbler: You put all your ingredients into the centre of your wrap and just fold, roll, tuck, or scrunch – whatever you fancy. You’re not bothered about how the food gets to your mouth – all you care about is how it tastes. You’re often on-the-go, and seem to naturally lead a busy life – whether it’s with family, socialising with friends, or your hobbies. Easy going and carefree, you’re happy to just go with the flow – to sit back, relax, and see what life brings your way.