You’re out with your friends on a sunny day and you find the perfect spot for a picnic. A good friend of yours has packed sandwiches for all of you to share. You reach for the plate to grab one. Which sandwich shape would you wish it is? When we set out to determine which cut is superior, controversy sparks among sandwich lovers everywhere: is it better to slice a rectangular sandwich horizontally or diagonally? Or in other words, which sandwich shape is better: rectangles or triangles?
Rectangular P.O.V.: Proof of true culinary form and function
1. Pain-free
Nobody wants a painful sandwich-eating experience. Especially if your triangular sandwich is toasted, the crust is sure to irritate or cut the corners of your mouth. On top of that, having two acute angles to deal with is sure to increase the pain as your meal progresses. On the other hand, a rectangular sandwich will avoid that pain by giving you a straight edge to bite into throughout the whole meal.
2. Versatility and elegance
A common afternoon tea-time snack in England, finger sandwiches are known for their elegant look and versatility. Typically served in small rectangular portions, they are also known to make frequent appearances in picnics. They can also be efficiently packed and are much more stable when served on unstable ground.
3. Mess-free
Some ketchup oozing from the side or lettuce sliding out is a normal but unpredictable occurrence when eating a sandwich. Because of a rectangular sandwich’s straight edges, spillage becomes much more predictable. This is particularly helpful when you’re on the go!
4. Bite customization
A rectangular sandwich allows you to bite off pieces however big you want. Want a bigger bite from a certain part of the sandwich or maybe avoid the crust? With this shape of sandwich, it’s possible! A rectangular sandwich makes it easier to tailor each bite to your desires.
Triangular P.O.V: The polygon from which all others are created
1. Visuals
Rectangles are particularly prevalent in society, which makes their presence mundane. Sliced bread and the resulting rectangular sandwiches are no exception. Horizontally cutting a sandwich simply turns a rectangle into smaller rectangles, whereas a diagonal cut allows you to experience the joy of triangles, which are much more visually appealing.
2. Crust distribution
Assuming a crusted sandwich, a horizontally cut sandwich leaves you with two C-shaped pieces of crust, creating an abundance of crust around the corners. However, a diagonally cut sandwich provides the perfect solution to this problem. Triangular sandwich pieces contain L-shaped pieces of crust, which form a flawless distribution of crust with each bite.
3. Angles
Think of pizza or melon slices—it’s clear that sharper angles are more fun to bite into. This is comparable to the diagonally cut sandwich, with its triangular pieces providing such angles. Additionally, partially eaten triangles are often still triangles, giving you an unlimited supply of ideal angles until the very last bite.
4. Faster cooldown
An added bonus: if you’re dealing with a grilled cheese or toasted sandwich, cutting along the diagonal allows it to cool faster, as it adds more perimeter than a horizontal cut. If you’re in a rush to make your impatient sibling a sandwich, this is the shape to go with!