George Orwell, we’re sorry! British Council finally publishes long-lost essay The critique of British eating habits was too "painful" over 70 years ago.

LONDON -- An arts foundation in England has released an unpublished culinary essay by the legendary author George Orwell, complete with an apology to the writer more than 70 years after it was initially rejected.

The essay, entitled "British Cookery," was a defense of what Orwell described as the “slightly barbarous” diet of the English.

Orwell’s 1946 submission was rejected by members of the British Council who were anxious about publishing the essay during a time of rationing after the Second World War. The editor’s notes said the great writer’s recipe for orange marmalade contained “too much sugar and water.”

The essay also includes Orwell’s recipes for other Britishstaples: Christmas pudding, Welsh rarebit and treacle tart.

To make amends for rejecting his manuscript, the British Council finally published the essay by the acclaimed author, along with a letter entitled “With apologies to Mr Orwell.” Unfortunately Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, won’t be around to accept the apology, as he died in 1950 at the age of 46.

The British Council also published the apology letter Orwell received at the time, which says the subject of food was too “painful” and that it would have been “unfortunate and unwise to publish it.”

The British Council now says it's delighted to finally publish the essay.

“When people overseas talk about the cultural assets of the United Kingdom, its cuisine tends to come fairly low down on a list that is dominated by