18 Foods Americans and the British Totally Clash On
18 Foods Americans and the British Totally Clash On
When it comes to culinary preferences, Americans and Brits often find themselves at odds over certain dishes that are beloved on one side of the Atlantic and bewildering on the other. Here’s a look at some foods that both cultures can’t agree on.
1. Black Pudding
Black pudding, a type of blood sausage, is a beloved breakfast staple in Britain. However, many Americans might be squeamish about the main ingredient – blood. This dish’s rich, earthy flavor is appreciated in the UK but often met with hesitation in the US.
2. Pork Pies
Pork pies are a classic British snack featuring a dense, savory pork filling encased in a thick, crumbly pastry. While Brits relish this hearty treat, the concept of cold, gelatinous meat inside pastry doesn’t usually appeal to the American palate.
3. Grits
Grits are a staple in the Southern United States, made from ground corn and often served with butter or cheese. While grits are adored in the US for their versatility and comfort food quality, they are largely unknown and unappreciated in the UK.
4. Non fat milk
Non fat milk is popular in the US among those looking to reduce fat intake while still enjoying dairy. In the UK, however, this type of milk is less popular, as many Brits prefer the fuller flavor and creaminess of whole or semi-skimmed milk.
5. Jellied Eels
Jellied eels, a traditional East London dish of chopped eels boiled and cooled into a gelatinous stock, is a tough sell for most Americans who generally find the idea of eels, especially in jelly form, unappealing.
6. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is an American favorite, consumed in massive quantities across the states. While it is available in the UK, it’s not nearly as popular, with the British palate favoring other spreads like Marmite or jam.
7. Haggis
Haggis, Scotland’s national dish, consists of sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with onions, oatmeal, and spices, then cooked inside an animal’s stomach. It’s a source of Scottish pride but often viewed with suspicion by Americans unaccustomed to its ingredients and preparation.
8. Biscuit and Gravy
In the US, biscuits and gravy is a comforting dish featuring soft dough biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy. In the UK, however, where a “biscuit” is a sweet baked good similar to an American cookie, this combination can seem quite strange and unappetizing.
9. Mushy Peas
Mushy peas are a British favorite, traditionally served with fish and chips. This dish, made from dried marrowfat peas, is typically unenticing to the American diner, who may prefer their peas less mushy and more vibrant.
10. Rice Pudding
In the UK, rice pudding is a beloved dessert, creamy and often flavored with nutmeg or cinnamon. Americans, however, are less likely to choose this dessert, preferring rice in less sweet, more textured culinary forms like pilaf or fried dishes.
11. Root Beer
Root beer, with its distinctive sassafras flavor, is a classic American beverage. Many Brits find the flavor unusual and akin to medicinal products, which can be quite off-putting.
12. Stargazy Pie
Stargazy pie, a Cornish dish made with whole fish poking their heads through a pie crust, can be startling to those unfamiliar with it, particularly Americans who may find the presentation a bit too literal.
13. Twinkies
Twinkies, the iconic American snack cakes filled with creamy filling, are often met with disappointment by Brits, who might find them overly sweet and artificial.
14. Chocolate Bourbon
Chocolate Bourbon biscuits are not nearly sweet enough for the American sweet tooth, which tends to favor richer, sweeter chocolate treats.
15. Hershey’s Chocolate
Hershey’s chocolate is often described by Brits as having a slightly sour, tangy flavor that differs significantly from the creamier, richer chocolates preferred in the UK.
16. Liquorice Allsorts
Liquorice Allsorts are very popular in the UK but have not caught on in the US, where the taste for liquorice is less pronounced and generally leans towards red over black varieties.
17. White Bread
In America, white bread is often criticized for being too sweet and lacking in texture compared to the more robust, grainy breads preferred by many Brits.
18. Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid, a sugary flavored drink mix, is synonymous with American childhoods but often criticized by Brits for its strong artificial flavoring and intense sweetness.
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We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.