Last weekend I was shopping with my sister, niece and aunt in Lawrence, Kansas. There's a shop there called Brits that specializes in imported British stuff - mainly food, but also DVDs and a few gift items. While we were there, I purchased a jar of blackcurrant preserves because NOBODY in the U.S. makes them. I also got a bag of miniature Violet Crumble bars (which are actually Australian), and split them with my sister. Damn, those are delicious!
I didn't pick up my other British fave, Twinings Decaffeinated Green Tea, because I can get it cheaper at World Market. A trip to World Market also gives me the opportunity to buy Kasugai muscat grape-flavored gummy candy from Japan, and Pepparkakor Swedish Gingersnaps, which come in a huge, beautiful tin.
Here's my reader question for the day: what's your favorite imported food treat? If you're outside of the U.S., what's a food item where you live that you love so much, you'd recommend I try to get some?
Being a brit, I love Branston Pickle, Bourneville Chocolate, and I get canned Schweppes from Canada (for some reason, you can't get the cans here in Cleveland). Ribena is pretty good too (mixed it with water and it's a wonderfully refreshing blackcurrant drink) but the Indian store I found it in here charges $8 a bottle - too rich for me sadly.
Laura
Posted by: Laura | September 25, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Belgian Beers - or Belgian chocolates. Sure you can get some here, but there are a few brands that you can't. And some of them have matching cheeses. Mmmm Chimay cheese.
Oh, and I still have dreams that I am running through Brussels trying to get one of those fresh made sweet waffles from a waffle stand.
Not to mention the double fried street fries served in a paper cone with a choice of 30 sauces.
I gotta start saving (and dieting) for a trip back.
Posted by: Irene Duma | September 25, 2007 at 06:07 PM
Donairs. I don't get 'em in Toronto, but they're an East Coast delight and I wants them.
Posted by: spatula | September 26, 2007 at 09:44 AM
I think there's a place on the Danforth just west of Donlands that serves Donairs. It's 2 doors away from my fave pub, The Only, that has lots of Belgian brews on the menu,
Coincidence?
Posted by: Irene Duma | September 26, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Mayordomo Chocolate from Mexico. Those crazy hot Indian snack mixes that have puffed rice and nuts in them. Lime Pickle from India. Acacia honey from China. Chestnut honey from Italy. I guess I have a lot!
Posted by: Suebob | September 30, 2007 at 11:27 AM
I like Pulparindo, an overwhelmingly flavorful tamarind candy from Mexico. And all the delicious beers of the world, of course.
Posted by: Joolie | September 30, 2007 at 11:13 PM
(just catching up on my blog reading) My favorite candy bar in the whole wide world is a Lion Bar, made by Nestle (I think) and can sometimes be found for a rather high price at World Market. It is the best candy bar known to man. Look for it.
Posted by: MLE | October 03, 2007 at 11:24 AM