Join the Fun!

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Old Bay Seasoning. I haven't been able to find it in Europe. I'm from Maryland, and I miss it so much that I make my own from a copycat recipe and always have it on hand in my kitchen.

realeaty Report

Final score:

99points

POST

Spudg 2 years ago

Can get this in costco in the uk

3points

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas All peanut butter products. I'm an American living in Scotland, and good peanut butter exists here but only in tiny expensive jars. I miss things like peanut butter cookies, Reese's Puffs, and peanut-butter-filled pretzels.

vlkthe Report

Final score:

82points

POST

RoseTheMad 2 years ago

I'm in the UK.. you can get Peanut Butter cookies, fudge, puffs (though they're animport) cups, pretzels, etc etc...

40points

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas My friend just moved to Dublin from the states. They brought a ridiculous amount of ranch dressing and ranch dressing powder. When we go to visit them we are instructed to bring more. I guess Europe does not have a ranch market.

vlkthe Report

Final score:

67points

POST

Guy MacGregor 2 years ago

No. And the first time I heard about it was here on Bored Panda. It was out of context and I did not understand why OP was speaking about "farmer clothing" (ranch... dressing...).

146points

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning. Salty, but so very good in all kinds of foods.

CaptainLollygag Report

Final score:

60points

POST

Michael Sanders 2 years ago

Staple. They have all kinds of other products too. Mixes, Bloody Mary mix, etc. Living in NOLA I make most of their mixes from scratch, but in a pinch their gumbo and jambalaya mixes are quite good. Zing Zang is much better bloody mix though.

17points

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas There's a brand of Cajun seasoning called 'Slap ya Mama'. I've never actually tried it myself, but as a brit living in the UK, I have seen it as an ingredient in SO MANY recipes that I can only assume it's popular.

Rogahar Report

Final score:

56points

POST

Michael Sanders 2 years ago

I put on nearly everything I want spice. That and Tony Chachere which is listed in….

23points

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Celery Seed

Personally I haven't been able to find it here in Finland and I don't know how common it is in other countries. Celery seed really gives coleslaw and a few other dishes that true American flavor.

Alseids Report

Final score:

55points

POST

The Queen Of Upper Butt Crack 2 years ago

Celery seed is very good in potato salad as well.

44points

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Cottage cheese. In Japan, it's virtually impossible to find, and really I miss cottage cheese!

ukeireru Report

Final score:

55points

POST

Mad Dragon 2 years ago

Cottage cheese is easy to make yourself from whole milk, salt, and some sort of acid (I use vinegar or lemon juice). Heat the milk slowly, add the acid, stir gently and let rest for a few minutes, strain through cheesecloth, add salt. I add a bit of cream to make it smoother, but that is optional.

94points

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Maple syrup is so hard to find outside of North America! I'm in Brazil right now and I've been here several times before and I remember once a few years back when a couple friends had to tell me that there was roughly zero chance I was going to find maple syrup here (I was planning a Super American Breakfast For Dinner kind of fun meal).

angelicism Report

Final score:

52points

POST

RoseTheMad 2 years ago (edited)

I literally just bought maple syrup the other day. From Sainsbury's. xP It's available in Europe, but Brazil isn't Europe. (this article needs a new title jfc)

35points

#10

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Canned chipotle Chiles in adobo sauce!!

ladderoflove Report

Final score:

51points

POST

Andi 2 years ago

now this sounds interesting --

13points

#11

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas My [expat] sister always says how hard it is to find canned pumpkin overseas so i always bring some when I visit. I'd load up there!

Cheddar18 Report

Final score:

51points

POST

Guy MacGregor 2 years ago

Canned!? oh damn

26points

#12

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Corn bread. It’s rare to find in the UK. The only place I’ve seen it was at Whole Foods, and even there it was cold, subpar, and not as comforting as the US version.

helenc8 Report

Final score:

50points

POST

Martha Meyer 2 years ago

Literally, just make it. Why would you even buy that premade?

164points

#13

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas American measuring cups. Makes making recipes online much easier as you don’t have to try and convert anything.

MentalFairy Report

Final score:

42points

POST

The Scout 2 years ago

Of course you could circumvent this problem by switching to metric like the rest of the world, instead of having to carry a measuring cup if you go abroad...

71points

#14

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas When I was in the USA I bought a cast iron pan for 20-30 dollars I think. It’s at least 3 times cheaper than the same kind of pan where I live.

jujihai Report

Final score:

42points

POST

Martha Meyer 2 years ago

That picture is not a cast iron pan...

109points

#15

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Stone-ground corn grits. At least in England, they're nearly impossible to find. You can get your hands on Quaker Oats corn grits, but that's about it.

u/PantherBrewery Report

Final score:

42points

POST

Daria B 2 years ago

Are you talking about polenta? Just curious.

41points

#16

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Chipotle powder. I get it at a Mexican market. Chipotles are smoked jalapeños. I use it as a rub on chicken or pork before grilling.

OnceanAggie Report

Final score:

40points

POST

RoseTheMad 2 years ago

Widely available in the UK... Schwartz do a version.

11points

#17

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Franks red is key. I used to bring back Buffalo sauce when I would go to the States, but then I realized how easy and tasty it is to make from scratch, so now I just bring back some Franks

MadMuse94 Report

Final score:

40points

POST

Parthania Dawson 2 years ago

Picking a favorite hot sauce could be a thread of its own.

46points

#18

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas I'm an American expat living in Germany, and when I make trips back to the US I return with:

BTB

TJs EBTB seasoning

Annie's Mac and Cheese (I make m&c from scratch, but my kids love the s**t in the blue box)

Rainbow sprinkles

Frontera Mexican sauce packets

Pink Starbursts

Reese's Pieces

Bourbon

Cream of Tartar

brian_sue Report

Final score:

36points

POST

Omi bub 2 years ago

I find it funny how many of these posts are just synthetic flavours or ultra-processed stuff

82points

#19

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Bourbon! Whenever I go to the US, I bring home as much bourbon as I'm allowed. Abroad, there are very few types of Bourbon sold, and they are incredibly expensive.

blkhatwhtdog Report

Final score:

35points

POST

Marcellus II 2 years ago

Meh. Why drink Bourbon if there's something better locally available? Say, whisky.

31points

#20

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Internet teached me what pop tarts are. Never seen them in Europe. Also we don't have good brown sugar. Maybe that's a continental thing.

dath_bane Report

Final score:

34points

POST

Rick 2 years ago

Wonder where the person is in Europe that they’ve never seen a Pop Tart before? I’m in the UK and used to eat these as a child.

50points

#21

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Anything Mexican related and some less common hot sauces.

Snowing678 Report

Final score:

32points

POST

Karin Jansen 2 years ago

I do believe that "Mexican related" food can be find all over Europe.

31points

#22

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas If you have the space in your luggage, kosher salt is a lot cheaper in the US than the European equivalents

If you like Mexican food, it’s worth stocking up on dried chilis in the US since they’re again way more abundant and much cheaper

I personally prefer the sponges you get in the US, so I always bring back some of the yellow and green Scotch Brite kind.

elijha Report

Final score:

30points

POST

Debbie 2 years ago

I can buy iodine free salt in Europe when/if I want. But why would I.

27points

#23

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Dr. Pepper. Whenever we travel abroad, my husband almost loses his mind going a week or two without it.

ninamanuella Report

Final score:

29points

POST

Guy MacGregor 2 years ago

Not common, but not that hard to find

27points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

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#24

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Hidden Valley fiesta ranch mix is god tier. Mix with sour cream and its perfect with all flavors of potato chips

aPlumbusAmumbus Report

Final score:

27points

POST

Kristin Ingersoll 2 years ago

God Tier?

12points

#25

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Tajin seasoning. It elevates just about every kind of fruit, and it's so hard to find outside of the States.

MrsNyx Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Debbie 2 years ago

Try Morocco, or any Middle Eastern country

16points

#26

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Trader Joes spices - Everything but the Bagel is phenomenal

dbesh Report

Final score:

25points

POST

Michael Sanders 2 years ago

That everything but the bagel is the truth

11points

#27

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Peanut butter, graham crackers & marshmallows keep well and I know a lot of countries don't have them.

vanastalem Report

Final score:

20points

POST

De Burke 2 years ago

WTH is this person living that they can't get marshmallows?

92points

#28

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Dried chiles. If you like cooking Mexican food, it's worth stocking up on them in the US. You can find them abroad, but they're way more expensive and less common.

elijha Report

Final score:

20points

POST

ZAPanda 2 years ago

wow this is such a laugh, we have these things growing in our garden. weirdos.

8points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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#29

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Canned diced green chilis. Decent salsa (but sure if it might break), Goya beans and salsas, boxed Mac n cheese. My German friend from college demands that last one in all her care packages lol.

BryceCanYawn Report

Final score:

17points

POST

SusanS 2 years ago

Goya is a racist company, don't buy Goya.

34points

#30

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas The umami seasoning is phenomenal. I use it in almost everything to add depth of flavor.

TMK602 Report

Final score:

12points

POST

OctoPaige 2 years ago

It's just called MSG

57points

Dont_want_a_coover Report

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#31

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Bbq sauce and hot sauce.

I hear Tajin is hard to find in Europe as well.

Final score:

12points

POST

A 2 years ago

Tajin is a brand of spice. Highly recommend trying it on watermelon

7points

Summer Mason 2 years ago

Will do

0points

Vuun 2 years ago

This must refer to some specific brands. There are dozens of different bbq and hot sauces in every supermarket.

2points

loopyli 2 years ago

Tajin is NOT middle eastern/ north African. It's a Mexican spice mix. Do try it, if you can find it.

1point

ZAPanda 2 years ago (edited)

This person is quite insane or ignorant or something. You can find this stuff anywhere.

1point

Carrie Laughs 2 years ago

I have bought it online in the past, this particular brand. £2.95. Which is expensive of course!! So I make my own now. The ingredients aren't difficult to obtain and you make it to your taste.

0points

Pineapple On My Sleeve 2 years ago

Tajin is good on a coconut paleta(popsicle) with lime juice squeezed on it first then sprinkled with Tajin

0points

Tacet 2 years ago (edited)

Really easy to find in UK and most of europe and then there's all the African spice mixes that we get too.

0points

Jiminy 2 years ago (edited)

Well, tajine is a pot or a dish, but not a spice. So you probably should find out what the name for the spice mix in your respective European country is. Might help.

0points

M O'Connell 2 years ago

They are probably referring to the chili powder/salt/dehydrated lime juice seasoning mix.

4points

spirit wolf 2 years ago

In this case TAJIN is a Mexican spice made in Jalisco, Mexico and is fairly commonly used across the United States. It has nothing to do with a tajine from Morocco.

2points

A 2 years ago

Tajin is a brand of spice found in southern states. We have a bottle on our kitchen table as we speak

1point

Shannon Ongley 2 years ago

It's a Mexican spice powder (Taijn is a company name, not a regional description of the spice like curry) and is pretty regional, and delicious on fruits.

0points

Ellen Ranks 2 years ago

Yes, I suspect that might be ras-el-hanout or smilar.

-1point

ZAPanda 2 years ago

Tagine you will find in any big city.

-1point

Honu 2 years ago

They literally wrote "Tajin" and rather than look up what that is, you changed it to tagine and assumed they just didn't know what they were talking about.

1point

#32

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas I'm an American expat living in Germany, and every time I return home I bring back Annie's Mac 'n' Cheese. I often make mac 'n' cheese from scratch, but there's something special about that stuff in the blue box.

brian_sue Report

Final score:

12points

POST

Rick 2 years ago

I really liked that Mac N Cheese too. And, to my shame, Cheeze Whizz

5points

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#33

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Chick-fil-A sauce, Trader Joes everything bagel seasoning, Goya Sazon and adobo seasoning packets, ranch seasoning, chipotles in adobo sauce, guava paste, dried Mexican chilis.

brockleehead Report

Final score:

11points

POST

Daniel Marsh 2 years ago

Two things I think of when I think of Goya: cheap Latin-American food and Uranus eating the head off a guy who's supposed to be his child. It's a wierd combo of imagery to always stick together.

9points

#34

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Snyder's buffalo pretzels (honey mustard and jalapeno also good but you can find them in England).

Hot Cheetos.

Takis.

Valentina hot sauce.

Old bay seasoning.

Dried chillies.

Various other seasonings/seasoning blends; BBQ rubs, hatch green chili powder etc - which will either be more expensive or hard to find

DanAykroydFanClub Report

Final score:

10points

POST

RoseTheMad 2 years ago

Hot Cheeto's are all over in the UK, and shops with a larger selection probably would have Taki's too. You can mix up your own Old Bay/BBQ rubs , as for dried chilli's.. they're at every asian supermarket here. And sometimes you see them in the supermarket, too..

2points

#35

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup. The American version is just different than the version you can buy abroad.

LongUsername Report

Final score:

10points

POST

User# 6 2 years ago

I'm guessing that the US version may have more sugar in it.

40points

#36

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Sugary cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I had my sister bring me a few boxes when she visited me in Madrid. The cereal selection in Europe just doesn't compare.

jzr91 Report

Final score:

9points

POST

Demi Zwaan 2 years ago

That's because we like our health.

35points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

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#37

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Spicy things. I’m not sure where in Europe you’re coming from but when I was in Spain the options were essentially Tabasco sauce or tiny dried chilies, that’s it. Get yourself some chili flakes (aka crushed red pepper) and then check out the enormous selection of hot sauces available in US grocery stores. Get some Frank’s, Cholula, El Yucateca etc. As others have said, dried whole peppers from Mexico are abundant and cheap here as well. Other ideas: graham crackers, real maple syrup, anything pumpkin related. There’s also infinite peanut butter options if that’s of interest

edit: bacon flavored chocolate.

toasterding Report

Final score:

7points

POST

Martha Meyer 2 years ago

I want to scrub my brain with soap now so I can forget that last one.

10points

butidontwannasignup Report

#38

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Wild rice, key lime juice (Nellie and Joe's if you can find it, plus any ingredients for the key lime pie recipe on the side that you can't get at home), good quality chocolate chips like Ghirardelli.

I'd also suggest a set of measuring cups to use for US recipes, so you don't have to convert to metric.

Final score:

7points

POST

JuJu 2 years ago

quality chocolate? I'm sorry, but American chocolate always has a sour taste (kind of like vomit). For baking get some Valrhona.

17points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

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#39

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Irish friends always returned home with lots of aluminum foil & Goldfish crackers when they visited family in the US.

favorited Report

Final score:

6points

POST

Rick 2 years ago

Lol, aluminium foil, why?? You can get it everywhere 🤷🏽‍♂️

33points

monsterofcaerbannog Report

#40

30 "American" Kitchen Essentials People Wish They Could Find Overseas Buy yourself a garbage disposal

Final score:

-18points

POST

Trillian 2 years ago

We are not supposed to throw trash in the sewage system. I have a separate bin for compostables.

39points

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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Gabija is a photo editor at Bored Panda. Before joining the team, she achieved a Professional Bachelor degree in Photography and has been working as a freelance photographer since. She also has a special place in her heart for film photography, movies and nature.

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What do you think ?

POST

Lord Mysticlaw 2 years ago

I swear if there's one thing I'll never understand in my life, it's Americans and boxed mac and cheese.

19points

Hanni 2 years ago

It's valid for a lot food in every country, no matter how bad it is. If you had it as a staple food in your childhood you are going to love it and miss it. It's not just a taste but memories and comfort too. For Hungary it's lard spread on bread. :)

33points

Aliquid 2 years ago

Canadians eat even more

6points

J C 2 years ago

Kraft Dinner is the same thing and the most sold product in Canada week to week.

5points

Honu 2 years ago (edited)

I'm guessing it must be a childhood nostalgia thing. I'm an American but it wasn't something my parents every made, so I never tried it until I was an adult. A lot of kids grew up eating it, though. I've had some homemade mac and cheese that was really tasty, though. The stuff in a box just doesn't taste like food to me.

5points

Shane S 2 years ago

I’m American and I don’t understand it either. It’s gross.

5points

Did you hear that? 2 years ago

It is also a cheap way to feed a hungry family. Food insecurity is a big problem in the U.S.

4points

Redwood Rebelgirl 2 years ago

It's good! Especially the NATURAL kind! (Though the garbage kind TASTES good, it is rather disgusting, IMO). People like what they like/grow up with. ❤️

2points

Thomas Hunt, Jr. 2 years ago

I'm american and I only liked it as a kid. As an adult, not so much. Maybe once in a blue moon...like every 5 years or so. Mainly have it for nostalgia..

1point

Leslie Crittenden 2 years ago

It's a nostalgia thing I think. I make regular Mac and cheese for my family, but once in a while I get a box of it just for me. Takes me back to childhood.

0points

Stoopham McFernybabes 2 years ago

I tried to give my kids boxes mac and cheese once and they refused and wouldn’t eat more than a bite. They’re fussy eaters but that they were particularly adverse to.

0points

Curry on... 2 years ago

If I prepared macaroni from a box for my family, I would be disowned.

0points

Jo Choto 2 years ago

So having lived in the US for decades, and being a citizen, I have to say that half of these things are not even common in the USA. They are tiny local niche market items. The rest, it's ridiculous. Aluminium foil? Cream of tartar? Chillis? Salt? I think people living abroad need to get out a bit more.

17points

Ashi Mari 2 years ago

I've never been in the US in my entire life, tried to make a recipe from internet and couldn't find the famous cream of tartar anywhere

6points

Tenoch Ramon 2 years ago

Wow, where in the US do you live! These are all found in just about every market I've been to from Washington and Oregon all the way to Georgia and Mississippi.

3points

MidiChlorian 2 years ago

You must have a non varied spice cupboard or eat really boring foods. 95% of these items are well known

1point

lindsey rogers 2 years ago

The sauces quoted would be a local speciality to certian areas of the U. S as maybe cultural to the ancestry of the population, would not be unavailable or not used at all in other countries? The U. K has a totally different climate so local food and fresh products influence our food, the same as any other country! so yes they wouldn't all be readily available and the ordinary stuff, dried chilli's, salt? Are in general use, and not expensive! I can't believe that they think other countries would have the same taste and especially access to the cheap, express and unhealthy products Americans crave. Its the variety of international cuisine and ingredients that make food, cooking and eating such a pleasure. Long may it continue 😊

0points

Baleygr 2 years ago

Yeah, most things on the list are either common, or not that hard to find and some simply have a different name/brand. Only very few are only found in the US and that's mostly because we don't put some of the things in food items.

0points

Redwood Rebelgirl 2 years ago

I was born & have lived in the US my whole life--on the West Coast, Northern East Coast, in the Rocky Mountain West, the Midwest & the South (not the deep South) & have never heard of a bunch of this stuff!

0points

Tonya Wallace 2 years ago

So it's true....Europeans pillaged the world for spices and don't even use them.

17points

ZAPanda 2 years ago

well you don't need to use them directly yourself if you dragged half of india back home with you to make your curry for you.

10points

EEP 2 years ago

A bit of a strange deduction. All spices in this list are part of branded pre-blended seasonings. The fact that these specific brands are not available does not mean Europeans don't use spices?

5points

julien 2 years ago

USA should thank MEXICO for its cuisine instead of building a wall on the border ! lol

3points

julien 2 years ago

this is in Europe ! lol espelette-...da65ea.jpg

3points

Huddo's sister 2 years ago

I don't think that is accurate. A lot of the seasonings mentioned seem to be mixes which aren't used as much in Europe, because they make them from scratch or just use individual spices instead.

1point

jUst MEat 2 years ago

Tonya you must have traveled very little. Dear. I feel sorry for you, I'm sorry for your ignorance.

1point

Baleygr 2 years ago

I've just counted. I have 73 different spices and use all of them. A lot of europeans use a lot of spices.

0points

Jen Bloh-Michael 2 years ago

Some super funny and barbaric irony

0points

Sanchez Vasile 2 years ago

No, they bought them or invested in plantations. Pillaging, criminal gangs stealing the production and buying at plantation's gate, after the locals did the whole job, only began after the countries were "liberated". It's called "neocolonialism" by UN, but that do they know? They don't even watch OAN.

-1point

Shane S 2 years ago

Good comment

-2points

Mike Loux 2 years ago

Funny how most of the posts above are somebody saying, 'I bring back X because I love it" and the most popular comment is somebody dissing them for it. Like, seriously, if you don't have anything nice to say...then shut up and f**k off.

13points

Conna Dewart 2 years ago

Yes! Most of the responses are arguments from people in the UK because the American in question cannot find something in Spain or somewhere! Jeesh!

2points

Manuel Delgado 2 years ago

So they miss Mexican food. Understandable.

11points

Summer Mason 2 years ago

I know I would. Luckily I know how to cook. Thank you mama Lucie.

3points

Omi bub 2 years ago

All of this is hyper-processed synthetic stuff & flavouringso or stuff that is readily available most corners of the globe I have been. (Except the range of chillies which I admit isn't as easy to come by in Europe)

10points

ZAPanda 2 years ago

? https://www.mex-al.de/en/food/chilies/dried-whole-chiles/ ?

1point

ZAPanda 2 years ago

I am fascinated by this. It's a mix of spice things -sure but if you look at the ingredients there's probably something very similar - and really dodgy processed food with tons of corn syrup... And yes, you can find it if you just either google for an importer or go to a large store in a larger city. Many of these items are available in my grocery store ... in Africa. Really I think the OPs in this post just went somewhere seriously ... parochial? Like a small village or something?

9points

Auntriarch 2 years ago

I think it's mostly about nostalgia, for which you need the exact brand.

1point

Andreas Mueller 2 years ago

Im from germany and can get my hands on most of those things in common supermarkets and some specialized shops for foreign foods (we have a ridicolous amount of those for nearly every country existing). maybe its not the exact same brand but the product is the same.

7points

g90814 2 years ago

After going through this, as an American nearly 60 years old, I wouldn't miss anything I saw here. To each their own, I suppose.

7points

Shane S 2 years ago

I see a lot of comments here and in the article about all the food being “processed junk”. Well duh. Customs won’t let you bring fruits, veggies, unprocessed meats, dairy, etc across country borders, let alone across oceans. So yes, I know our American diet isn’t the best but this list is not representative of everything we eat. It’s just the stuff that customs will let into another country.

7points

Milan 2 years ago (edited)

I am sorry, first result in Google (and also well known fact): “American readers might be familiar, as the United States has the highest rate of obesity among developed countries”… Trust me. Your diet is very bad. I lived and still travel a lot to America, the portions of food in restaurants, the amout of fast junk food on every corner, the abnormal choices of processed, semi-finished and frozen food in malls, the added sugar in every fkin thing. Dont get me wrong, i like to travel back there, i like to go to restaurants there, like the streed food, gastronomy culture, love burgers, but diet in America is awful ☺️ This is my opinion and comes from comparison between Europe and America. Funny story. Once i got a free meal of fried calamari in New York, because, as waitress said, unfortunately they have only half portion of it. So as compesation, they gave it to me for free. It was a full meal to me though, i was stuffed 🤷🏼‍♂️😁 Left a very generous tip well above my 10-15% standard in US.

0points

Susan Bosse 2 years ago

Why do I feel like I wasn't all of these people's addresses so that I can mail them what they're missing??

5points

Cassie 2 years ago

I live in the US and there is nothing on this list I would miss. No doubt there would be something I'm used to that would be difficult to get elsewhere, but I was surprised not to find anything I use on this list.

5points

g90814 2 years ago

Yes same here. I'm sure there's something I would miss, but didn't see any here.

1point

Memere 2 years ago

Agreed. And the few things I would miss could be easily made at home with basic ingredients & possibly a few substitutions.

0points

Honu 2 years ago

Yep. The vast majority of that is stuff I don't eat and wouldn't miss. I think the stuff I'd more likely miss is specific favorite dishes at particular restaurants. Very local things. A few people mentioned Mexican chilis. If I couldn't find them, or local ones with similar flavors, that would be sad. There were a lot of spice mixes on the list, but I figure I could make my own. The only one on this list in my kitchen is Tony C's but I bet I could make something close enough. I actually do have my own version of the umami seasoning made with dried porcinis. It's not that hard.

-1point

Anony Mouse 2 years ago

Nice to finally have an article that wasn't just crapping on America the whole time. (Although the comment sections more than made up for that.)

5points

Honu 2 years ago

Yep. So much bashing in the comments. Though my favorite was the people who had no idea what the food actually was and then tried to explain how you could totally get that in Europe. When I see a word I don't know, I look it up or ask. I don't just rewrite it to something else and then call someone else an idiot. This thread is probably one of the more offensive I've found on BP.

3points

Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

Wherever you go, there will be differences, some minor, some seemingly major. And there endeth the lesson ;-D

4points

Mari 2 years ago

I don't understand the fuzz about the spice mixes. It's easy to buy all the spices and you just mix it together, it will taste better also.

3points

NotMe 2 years ago

There's a surprising amout of spicy stuff in this list that wouldn't qualify as "hard to find outside US" since you can get them cheaper and better in Mexico and other South American countries, tbh

3points

Sanchez Vasile 2 years ago

Also Asia, Middle East, half of Africa and a quarter of Europe.

1point

Lara Verne 2 years ago

I think half of them is just looking for food made by certain brand.

3points

Ein Steinbeck 2 years ago

Do people not in America not have access to Amazon or AliBaba (or whatever it's called now)? Because you can just order literally all of this stuff.

2points

Huddo's sister 2 years ago

But lots of people don't want to a)support a company like that, b)pay the insane postage costs and c) spend the fuel miles to bring it to their country so taking it back with you where you are already using those miles is a better idea.

2points

Jods 2 years ago

There are lots of on-line stores specialising in American groceries. Where else would I get my Jolly Rancher hard candies from?

2points

Kai David 2 years ago

From Toledo, home of tony packos. Every time we go back to Germany, have to pack up a variety of tony packos pickles, tony packos chili, Heinze ketchup, skippy and jiff peanut butter, and real maple syrup

2points

Mimi M 2 years ago

Lived out of the US for a few years. The only thing I really pined for was sweet-sour pickle relish.

2points

ZAPanda 2 years ago

Price here is ZAR 74 which is about $5. You can find your stuff more or less anywhere in the world if you have google. Screen-Sho...458e15.png

0points

Conna Dewart 2 years ago

Why are all the responses just someone from one place arguing with someone else's experience (often somewhere else)???

1point

Mobey Drunk 2 years ago

Does anyone realize, there's a thing can online ordering. Most of this stuff is non parishable and can easily be ordered online. Instead of stocking up in another country, just add it to your cart.

1point

Sanchez Vasile 2 years ago (edited)

Many of them expect to take their tiny brand from North Dakota for free, whatever they go. Anything else disappoints them.

0points

MidiChlorian 2 years ago

Majority of these items are common in the us. Not sure why some people are saying they've never heard of them. If I couldn't find Chipotle chilies in adobo I would be very sad. I use them in Chili or mix some sauce with mayo for a sandwich among many other uses.

0points

I'mNotARoboat 2 years ago

My friend's brother used to come home from England and stock up on the KD (Kraft Dinner/Mac & Cheese) powder packets. He would open like a dozen boxes and just take the packets when he went back. His mum was resourceful and just used the noodles in pasta salad or something.

0points

Rebecca Bourgeois 2 years ago

I'm American, but have lived in France for most of my life. It saddens me that Americans abroad seem to always assume that nothing they are used to can be found locally, or even replaced (most of the time by something even better). My only annoyance is the total absence of cream of tartar. But, really, spices (almost all of which don'tgrowon US soil to begin with)? Stuff as easily made as mac & cheese or peanut butter?

0points

Harley 2 years ago (edited)

Living in the Netherlands, like 70% of the things that no one can find in europe, are super easy to find even in the smaller city in the north where I live

0points

Patricia Fonda 2 years ago

Stove top stuffing, Hamburger tuna and chicken helper, mustard i don"t live german mustard,, peanutbutter, nothing goes over the us pb,9

0points

julien 2 years ago

EUROPE still has strong culinary traditions and use real fresh ingredients !

0points

Amy Felton 2 years ago

I'm american and I actual consume very few of these items and other than the mexican food items I would be more than happy to do without.

0points

Thomas Hunt, Jr. 2 years ago

If I ever moved to another country, I'd be happy with garlic and tobasco sauce.

0points

Michael Sanders 2 years ago

Wtf is going on here? Why was the aluminum foil post taken away?

0points

Joey Marlin 2 years ago

It isn't - it's just in the ones that get hidden because they get less votes. If you click on "Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes." under the last entry you'll be able to access all of them.

1point

Heather G 2 years ago

The U.S. is a melting pot. Most items that can't be found in one country can be found in another country (like Latin American food can be found in Mexico but not certain parts of Europe, or Italian can't be found in some Latin American countries). It is really only a lot of peanut products (Thanks George Washington Carver), processed foods, and weird versions of foreign foods that might not be able to find anywhere but the US.

0points

Anton Kider 2 years ago

Ridicoulous.

0points

Ivana Bašić 2 years ago

So most of these are things that can in fact be found in most of Europe, some easily, some in certain ethnic shops, plus they're artificial and some maybe not even allowed under European food safety laws.

0points

J Robertson 2 years ago

My family immigrated to the states when I was 2. When I was 19 ('94) I moved to Sydney. I will always pick black licorice over red but gawd damnit if all I ever wanted was red licorice. Every time I walked past a candy store I'd go in to see if they had any. I now miss restaurants from all the different places around the world that I lived. That and foods from my home country.

0points

Maria Overtoom 2 years ago

Did you ever taste the Dutch licorice? My sister in law is completely crazy 🤪 about it. She used to hide loads in the diapers of my nephew lol

1point

ana suarez 2 years ago

unos condimentos que nunca pueden faltar para hacer una deliciosa receta como estahttps://5formas.com/hacer-pescado/

0points

ana suarez 2 years ago

unos condimentos que no deben faltar para hacer esta deliciosa receta https://5formas.com/hacer-pescado/

0points

Jessica Julian 2 years ago

I'm an American. I'm also a supertaster, which means I have more taste buds than normal. I don't like spicy food. I don't like seasoning. No strong flavoring, either. Plain, plain, plain...because I can taste the most subtle of flavors, strong ones are overpowering. Plus, after I had Thrush a few years ago, it made everything even worse. I think I would like some if these places very much...wish they had specified where they were...

0points

Maria Overtoom 2 years ago

My taste buds are also very high. I can't eat spicy food, can't handle to much salt or pepper (plain white or black) but a little bit fresh garlic on my lamsmeat or pizza (garlicoil) and a few red o ion parts are doable. Don't like to much sugars in food either. Makes me vomit. My nose smells also all kind of ingredients in a dish, or at least the most. I am a picky eater 🙃

0points

LSR 2 years ago

How about renaming this to "things big babies from the u.s. like to whine about because they are generally imbeciles who cannot grasp a foreign culture"? Don't like the comment? Then shove it.

-1point

POST

Lord Mysticlaw 2 years ago

I swear if there's one thing I'll never understand in my life, it's Americans and boxed mac and cheese.

19points

Hanni 2 years ago

33points

Aliquid 2 years ago

Canadians eat even more

6points

J C 2 years ago

Kraft Dinner is the same thing and the most sold product in Canada week to week.

5points

Honu 2 years ago (edited)

5points

Shane S 2 years ago

I’m American and I don’t understand it either. It’s gross.

5points

Did you hear that? 2 years ago

It is also a cheap way to feed a hungry family. Food insecurity is a big problem in the U.S.

4points

Redwood Rebelgirl 2 years ago

It's good! Especially the NATURAL kind! (Though the garbage kind TASTES good, it is rather disgusting, IMO). People like what they like/grow up with. ❤️

2points

Thomas Hunt, Jr. 2 years ago

I'm american and I only liked it as a kid. As an adult, not so much. Maybe once in a blue moon...like every 5 years or so. Mainly have it for nostalgia..

1point

Leslie Crittenden 2 years ago

It's a nostalgia thing I think. I make regular Mac and cheese for my family, but once in a while I get a box of it just for me. Takes me back to childhood.

0points

Stoopham McFernybabes 2 years ago

I tried to give my kids boxes mac and cheese once and they refused and wouldn’t eat more than a bite. They’re fussy eaters but that they were particularly adverse to.

0points

Curry on... 2 years ago

If I prepared macaroni from a box for my family, I would be disowned.

0points

Jo Choto 2 years ago

17points

Ashi Mari 2 years ago

I've never been in the US in my entire life, tried to make a recipe from internet and couldn't find the famous cream of tartar anywhere

6points

Tenoch Ramon 2 years ago

Wow, where in the US do you live! These are all found in just about every market I've been to from Washington and Oregon all the way to Georgia and Mississippi.

3points

MidiChlorian 2 years ago

You must have a non varied spice cupboard or eat really boring foods. 95% of these items are well known

1point

lindsey rogers 2 years ago

0points

Baleygr 2 years ago

0points

Redwood Rebelgirl 2 years ago

0points

Tonya Wallace 2 years ago

So it's true....Europeans pillaged the world for spices and don't even use them.

17points

ZAPanda 2 years ago

well you don't need to use them directly yourself if you dragged half of india back home with you to make your curry for you.

10points

EEP 2 years ago

A bit of a strange deduction. All spices in this list are part of branded pre-blended seasonings. The fact that these specific brands are not available does not mean Europeans don't use spices?

5points

julien 2 years ago

USA should thank MEXICO for its cuisine instead of building a wall on the border ! lol

3points

julien 2 years ago

this is in Europe ! lol espelette-...da65ea.jpg

3points

Huddo's sister 2 years ago

I don't think that is accurate. A lot of the seasonings mentioned seem to be mixes which aren't used as much in Europe, because they make them from scratch or just use individual spices instead.

1point

jUst MEat 2 years ago

Tonya you must have traveled very little. Dear. I feel sorry for you, I'm sorry for your ignorance.

1point

Baleygr 2 years ago

I've just counted. I have 73 different spices and use all of them. A lot of europeans use a lot of spices.

0points

Jen Bloh-Michael 2 years ago

Some super funny and barbaric irony

0points

Sanchez Vasile 2 years ago

-1point

Shane S 2 years ago

Good comment

-2points

Mike Loux 2 years ago

13points

Conna Dewart 2 years ago

Yes! Most of the responses are arguments from people in the UK because the American in question cannot find something in Spain or somewhere! Jeesh!

2points

Manuel Delgado 2 years ago

So they miss Mexican food. Understandable.

11points

Summer Mason 2 years ago

I know I would. Luckily I know how to cook. Thank you mama Lucie.

3points

Omi bub 2 years ago

10points

ZAPanda 2 years ago

? https://www.mex-al.de/en/food/chilies/dried-whole-chiles/ ?

1point

ZAPanda 2 years ago

9points

Auntriarch 2 years ago

I think it's mostly about nostalgia, for which you need the exact brand.

1point

Andreas Mueller 2 years ago

7points

g90814 2 years ago

After going through this, as an American nearly 60 years old, I wouldn't miss anything I saw here. To each their own, I suppose.

7points

Shane S 2 years ago

7points

Milan 2 years ago (edited)

0points

Susan Bosse 2 years ago

Why do I feel like I wasn't all of these people's addresses so that I can mail them what they're missing??

5points

Cassie 2 years ago

5points

g90814 2 years ago

Yes same here. I'm sure there's something I would miss, but didn't see any here.

1point

Memere 2 years ago

Agreed. And the few things I would miss could be easily made at home with basic ingredients & possibly a few substitutions.

0points

Honu 2 years ago

-1point

Anony Mouse 2 years ago

Nice to finally have an article that wasn't just crapping on America the whole time. (Although the comment sections more than made up for that.)

5points

Honu 2 years ago

3points

Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

Wherever you go, there will be differences, some minor, some seemingly major. And there endeth the lesson ;-D

4points

Mari 2 years ago

I don't understand the fuzz about the spice mixes. It's easy to buy all the spices and you just mix it together, it will taste better also.

3points

NotMe 2 years ago

There's a surprising amout of spicy stuff in this list that wouldn't qualify as "hard to find outside US" since you can get them cheaper and better in Mexico and other South American countries, tbh

3points

Sanchez Vasile 2 years ago

Also Asia, Middle East, half of Africa and a quarter of Europe.

1point

Lara Verne 2 years ago

I think half of them is just looking for food made by certain brand.

3points

Ein Steinbeck 2 years ago

Do people not in America not have access to Amazon or AliBaba (or whatever it's called now)? Because you can just order literally all of this stuff.

2points

Huddo's sister 2 years ago

2points

Jods 2 years ago

There are lots of on-line stores specialising in American groceries. Where else would I get my Jolly Rancher hard candies from?

2points

Kai David 2 years ago

2points

Mimi M 2 years ago

Lived out of the US for a few years. The only thing I really pined for was sweet-sour pickle relish.

2points

ZAPanda 2 years ago

Price here is ZAR 74 which is about $5. You can find your stuff more or less anywhere in the world if you have google. Screen-Sho...458e15.png

0points

Conna Dewart 2 years ago

Why are all the responses just someone from one place arguing with someone else's experience (often somewhere else)???

1point

Mobey Drunk 2 years ago

Does anyone realize, there's a thing can online ordering. Most of this stuff is non parishable and can easily be ordered online. Instead of stocking up in another country, just add it to your cart.

1point

Sanchez Vasile 2 years ago (edited)

Many of them expect to take their tiny brand from North Dakota for free, whatever they go. Anything else disappoints them.

0points

MidiChlorian 2 years ago

0points

I'mNotARoboat 2 years ago

0points

Rebecca Bourgeois 2 years ago

0points

Harley 2 years ago (edited)

Living in the Netherlands, like 70% of the things that no one can find in europe, are super easy to find even in the smaller city in the north where I live

0points

Patricia Fonda 2 years ago

Stove top stuffing, Hamburger tuna and chicken helper, mustard i don"t live german mustard,, peanutbutter, nothing goes over the us pb,9

0points

julien 2 years ago

EUROPE still has strong culinary traditions and use real fresh ingredients !

0points

Amy Felton 2 years ago

I'm american and I actual consume very few of these items and other than the mexican food items I would be more than happy to do without.

0points

Thomas Hunt, Jr. 2 years ago

If I ever moved to another country, I'd be happy with garlic and tobasco sauce.

0points

Michael Sanders 2 years ago

Wtf is going on here? Why was the aluminum foil post taken away?

0points

Joey Marlin 2 years ago

1point

Heather G 2 years ago

0points

Anton Kider 2 years ago

Ridicoulous.

0points

Ivana Bašić 2 years ago

0points

J Robertson 2 years ago

0points

Maria Overtoom 2 years ago

Did you ever taste the Dutch licorice? My sister in law is completely crazy 🤪 about it. She used to hide loads in the diapers of my nephew lol

1point

ana suarez 2 years ago

unos condimentos que nunca pueden faltar para hacer una deliciosa receta como estahttps://5formas.com/hacer-pescado/

0points

ana suarez 2 years ago

unos condimentos que no deben faltar para hacer esta deliciosa receta https://5formas.com/hacer-pescado/

0points

Jessica Julian 2 years ago

0points

Maria Overtoom 2 years ago

0points