11 Things That Are Surprisingly Hard to Find Outside the UK

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11 Things That Are Surprisingly Hard to Find Outside the UK

When you leave the UK, you soon realize that some things you took for granted aren’t so common elsewhere. From the perfect cup of tea to the familiar crunch of a digestive biscuit, certain British staples just don’t seem to travel well. Let’s check these 11 things from the UK that are surprisingly hard to find once you step outside its borders.

1. A proper cup of tea made with boiling water

There’s something about a British cup of tea that just doesn’t translate overseas. It starts with boiling water, something non-Brits sometimes overlook, thinking hot enough will do. But no, it has to be boiling to get the right flavor and color from those tea leaves. And it’s not just about throwing a tea bag into a cup; it’s an art form, from the quality of the water to the timing of the brew. This is why a proper British cuppa is something many miss when abroad.

2. Digestive biscuits (not just “cookies”)

Digestive biscuits are a staple in every British cupboard, perfect for dunking in your tea or just snacking. But try finding them outside the UK, and you’ll mostly find cookies, which just aren’t the same. Digestives have a unique wheaty flavor and semi-sweet taste, making them versatile for everything from a quick bite to a cheesecake base. Their absence on foreign shelves is keenly felt by Brits abroad.

3. Reliable pub culture

The British pub is more than just a place to drink. It’s a community hub, a place to meet friends, enjoy a meal, or catch a game. Pubs are everywhere in the UK, each with its own character and charm. This reliable pub culture, with its blend of socializing, eating, and history, is hard to find anywhere else in the world, making it one of the top things Brits miss when they’re away.

4. A Greggs on every high street

Greggs, with its affordable, hearty selection of pasties, sausage rolls, and sweets, is a fixture in British life. Found on nearly every high street, Greggs is the go-to for quick, tasty, and inexpensive food. Outside the UK, finding something that matches its convenience and price point, not to mention taste, is a challenge, leaving many expats craving those familiar flavors.

5. Salt & vinegar crisps that actually sting

Salt and vinegar crisps in the UK pack a punch that can genuinely make your lips pucker. They’re a beloved snack for their bold, tangy flavor that seems to sting in just the right way. Outside of Britain, similar snacks just don’t live up to expectations—they often lack the intense vinegar kick that Brits love so much.

6. Decent cheddar cheese

Cheddar cheese from the UK is celebrated for its richness and depth of flavor, ranging from mild to extra mature. Finding the same quality and taste abroad can be a fruitless quest. Many places offer what they call cheddar, but it often lacks the texture and taste complexity that characterizes the cheddars found in British shops.

7. Marmite (you either miss it or… don’t)

Marmite is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of spread, deeply embedded in British food culture. This yeast extract has a strong, very distinct flavor that divides even Brits themselves. Abroad, it’s not just hard to find; it’s also frequently misunderstood by those unfamiliar with its unique taste, leaving those who love it to truly miss it.

8. The joy of a roast dinner on a Sunday

A Sunday roast is a quintessential British meal, usually featuring roast meat, potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and assorted vegetables, all topped with gravy. It’s a hearty, comforting end to the week, often spent with family or friends. Finding such a feast outside the UK, with all its trimmings and tradition, is rare, making it a sorely missed tradition among Brits living abroad.

9. A full English breakfast—with black pudding

A full English breakfast is a formidable spread featuring eggs, sausages, bacon, tomatoes, beans, mushrooms, toast, and not forgetting, black pudding. This meal is a filling, savory start to the day that’s hard to replicate abroad, especially the black pudding, which is a distinctively British delicacy.

10. Queues that form naturally and peacefully

The British are known for their ability to queue, a practice that involves waiting your turn in a line with patience and order. This social etiquette is ingrained in the UK but is quite rare in other parts of the world. Many Brits find themselves missing this organized, calm approach to waiting when abroad.

11. A local chippy that knows your order

There’s nothing quite like a local chippy in the UK, often run by the same family for generations, where they remember your usual order. The familiarity and community feel, along with the delicious fish and chips, often wrapped in paper, is something deeply missed by Brits overseas. Finding that kind of personal touch and taste elsewhere can be a real challenge.