What typical English food can you not buy in Spain?

Question

I want to take out some "hard to come by" goodies to an ex-pat, the only thing I've come up with is marmite!

Any one know?

Answer 1

You seem to have started a storm in a teacup from a simple question!

Firstly so no one can have a go, personally I have adapted to the Spanish diet (not that different from what I ate in the UK) you will probably find that your friend is the same, also as people have said most 'English food' can be found over here (and boy do they make you pay for it) although I have yet to work out why taco shells are English but according to our local Eroski they are!

As for what to take tea bags always go down well as you pay a lot more for them over here. I also tend to bring back brown sauce, Colman's mustard and English muffins. As long as it is for personal consumption you are allowed to take over small amounts of meat products so pork pies and scotch eggs may be appreciated???

However what I would do is ask them, if you want it to be a surprise then ask someone else that has been to see them what they have taken or what has been mentioned as being missed from home. It is often the strangest things, a friend of mine has raisins and currents brought over and mixed spice! I have also had treacle brought over and baking powder (you can only get it in small boxes here not industrial size jars and self rising flour is way expensive)

A lot of the things that are brought over are to save on the cost not because they cant be bought here although not everyone lives near the big supermarkets so they may not be able to get hold of some of the above articles mentioned and therefore appreciate them a lot!!

Answer 2

I had a great time with you in Spain last month. What a wonderful holidays! I loved the water park we visited in the outskirts of Madrid. How cool! I loved the long water chutes and the big swimming pool. When we went to the trip to Toledo the old cathedral was very interesting and beautiful and I liked to taste the typical food in that little restaurant in the city's old neighborhood. I still have the big hat you bought me at the souvenir shop. How funny! Hope this helps you =) By the way, there were some words that actually don't exist in your text.

Answer 3

If there are already lots of ex-pats where they are, you do not need to take them anything. If not, it might be an idea to ask them. As you didn't mention age, it's hard to advise. But I found oats for porridge difficult to get because Spain does not grow them and it's not eaten on its own, except in muesli. But that's not consider 'goodies' by some. Try some good, high quality tea or conserve for breakfast.
As I said above, there're few things they can't get in Spain that you can get in the UK, but just because you can get some vino from your local Tesco, it doesn't mean you can't take your friend a bottle of the best claret when you visit them. I love Spain and it has a large (maybe larger than in the UK) variety of foods and groceries in their shops. I admit that I was disturbed to see so many expats in Come's Sunday market flogging baked beans from Sommefield, HP sauce, etc. But is doesn't hurt to take something to remind your friends of 'home'.

Answer 4

Marmite

Answer 5

As most people have said you can actually get most things in Spain now but they can be quite expensive. So I am sure your friend will appreciate you taking some things out to them.
As for the misery above me, no-one was complaining only you.

Anyway my list would be -
Teabags
Chocolate (cadburys etc..)
Biscuits (any kind)
Toasted teacakes
Crumpets
Tomato Soup (heinz)
Cheddar Cheese
Bacon
Sausages
Pork pie
Tomato ketchup (heinz)
Brown sauce
Any other kind of sauces, pickles etc..
Stuffing
Christmas pudding
Christmas cake
Any other seasonal items (easter eggs, tin of quality street, cranberry sauce etc....)

Maybe you could ask your friend? Also, remember you are limited to what food you can take over.

Answer 6

Having lived here for many years, I know what one can/cannot buy...the answer is everything british can be bought here, simply get to an english supermarket along the Costas and shop away...but you´ll pay a premuim. But at the end of the day, if you are wanting to move here, why on earth don´t you just change your diet for the one here, the spanish diet, far healthier than the british diet of stodge & chips

Answer 7

Its true when your living abroad that the mundane things that you take for granted mean so much more when you get them (getting a pack of Tayto crisps which are as common as (and boring as) mud in Ireland was a massive treat when I got a pack while living in Germany!)...

..but its a pity that many of these British people (and maybe Irish but all you hear about are British) who move to Spain seem to not give a crap about local customs - they don't make any effort to integrate, learn the language or try local foods. This may not be true for the majority - but if you're to believe the programs shown on (British!) television - it is.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

Well although I hardly go to Spain, I remember once I got so fed up. I couldn't find my favourite blueberry muffins. Hmm I'm not sure if it was because I only searched around my hotel area. Hope this helps!