I’m a Greggs worker – secret codes are baked into your favourite treats…here’s why
A GREGGS worker has revealed that secret codes are baked into your favourite treats for a reason.
The popular bakery chain is a fan favourite for Brits across the country thanks to its iconic sausage rolls and steak bakes.
But customers have been stunned to learn that there are different messages baked into the top of different pastries.
Former Greggs workers have spilt secrets from inside the kitchen and explained exactly why this is the case.
Busy staff can easily get confused which snack is which while serving hungry customers.
That’s why each bake has been designed with a different marking on its top so workers can tell at a glance what’s inside it.
The steak bake features diagonal slashes, while the chicken bake has wavy lines.
Smaller waved lines denote a vegetable bake while three horizontal slits represents a vegetable katsu bake.
Arrows indicate a cheese and onion bake, and the sausage and baked bean melt boasts little dashes across its width.
Lastly, the beef and vegetable pasty can be commonly identified by its “humptiback”.
The vegan sausage roll, introduced in 2019, is handled only by yellow tongs.
And the secret markings are not just for coding the products, reports The Mirror.
They actually allow some steam to escape in the oven to keep the pastry moist but not soggy.
Sukina Coyle, Regional Process Development Manager, said: “You’re looking for some breakage in the pastry but as you can see they’re evenly spaced for even lift on the product. It’s always science.”
Meanwhile, a TikToker who claims she used to work at the popular chain, says there is also a secret code for the cookies.
Posting on the social media site under the username smellyrugdale , the ex-employee said: “If you get a pack of cookies, a pack of four, look on the back, it will have a number circled.
“One, two, three, four, five, six or seven, that’s the days of the week.
“The fresher you want them, get them with a later date.”
However, there are some things Greggs will never give away.
The sausage roll seasoning mix remains a closely guarded secret – not even the workers on the production line are allowed to know precisely what’s in it.
And the white sauce of the chicken bake is souffled using a “high shearing” technique which could never be replicated at home.