It’s hard to believe now but there was a time when most people had not heard of Balsamic vinegar; olive oil was only used to cure ear aches and, if you had heard of quinoa, then you probably thought it was a fairly obscure South American country.

Now, one in three of us have apparently been called a foodie by someone else and, according to a recent survey, 65% of us now think it’s cool to be seen as a food fan. Festivals such as Foodies go from strength to strength and cooking shows dominate the TV schedules.

We have become a nation of foodies but what exactly does that mean?

Green & Black’s Organic commissioned a poll of 2,000 people and asked what constitutes a foodie. They came up with a top 50 foodie indicators and these range from always trying new dishes when eating out to making your own pasta.

The poll was commissioned to mark the start of the chocolatier’s nationwide Taste & Colour Tour, which will see a vintage van visit foodie hot spots across the country and sample regional recipes with a Green & Black’s twist.

We’ve listed the top 50 and devised a highly scientific scoring system to see where you rate on the foodie scale. Have a read and see how many of the foodie indicators apply to you.

The 5pm Dining blog scored 40 out of 50. We’re not sure if we should be proud or mildly ashamed.

Top 50 signs you are a foodie

1. You eat in lots of different restaurants
2. You enjoy trying new dishes at a restaurant
3. You enjoy shopping for food
4. You’re willing to try all kinds of food/meals/ingredients
5. You know what wine to pair with which meat or fish
6. You read food magazines
7. You know which herbs complement different dishes
8. You experiment instead of always relying on recipes
9. You creating your own recipes from scratch
   10. You can recognise when something’s missing in a meal/sauce just by tasting it
   11. You know all of the correct pronunciations of unusual or exotic foods
   12. You’ve dined in a Michelin starred restaurant
   13. You can create a meal from the last few ingredients in your cupboard
   14. You enjoy watching cookery shows
   15. You can turn leftovers into a whole new meal with the addition of a few herbs and spices
   16. You go to places other than supermarkets to buy ingredients
   17. You use Instagram/twitter/Facebook to post pictures of food
   18. You know the difference between the various cuts of meats and which ones are best for different meals
   19. You write a food-related blog
   20. You rarely eat ready meals/pre-packed food
   21. You regularly talk about what you eat with friends and family
   22. You have well-used recipe books
   23. You make your own pasta
   24. You choose a holiday destination based on the local cuisine or the restaurants nearby
   25. You enjoy tweaking recipes with your own creative twist
   26. You read food blogs and websites
   27. You can present food nicely on the plate
   28. You regularly invite friends and family over for dinner
   29. You consider yourself to have well-honed taste buds
   30. Your spare cash is spent on eating out
   31. You can whip up a cake without having to use a recipe
   32. You have created a Pinterest album of recipes and food ideas
   33. You own a good set of kitchen knives
   34. You’re happy to cook with an audience
   35. You don’t hesitate to complain after a bad meal in a restaurant
   36. You grow your own herbs
   37. You make bread from scratch at home
   38. You use a variety of different types of oil
   39. You don’t ever think food/a restaurant is too expensive
   40. You grow your own vegetables
   41. You own a pestle and mortar
   42. You always try to use locally sourced or organic ingredients
   43. You buy spices etc. whilst on holiday/travelling
   44. You can cook steak to your perfect preference every time
   45. When ordering food with friends, you suggest ordering different dishes so you can all share and try each other’s
   46. You have a full range of herbs and spices on display in your kitchen
   47. You can use chopsticks
   48. You know all of the uses for kitchen utensils
   49. You own a good pair of weighing scales
   50. You own an apron

How do you rate?

0-10 You’re beyond hope and possibly still hanker after the glory days of Smash.

11-20 You are heading in the right direction but buying ready meals from the Taste the Difference range doesn’t make you a gourmet.

21-30 This is a good balance. You know your way around the local farmers’ market but don’t feel guilty if you eat the occasional bag of cheesy puffs.

31-40 You can take a globe artichoke in your stride although you do notice your friends’ eyes begin to glaze as your description of the paella you had on your hols rolls into its tenth minute.

41-50 Well done. You know what differentiates a trocken wine from an auslese but you should never lose sight of the fact that a bacon sandwich can give as much pleasure as a reservation at The Fat Duck.