Why didn't anyone ever tell me about British food?

Question

There is a British store in my city that sells all sorts of hard to find British food, tea, snacks, beautiques, etc. Why didn't anyone ever tell me that these products existed? Why aren't any of this stuff mainstream in the U.S. already? OMG, Star Bar candy bars are to die for. Marmalaide is delicious with toast. HP is an excellent sauce which goes on top of Shepherds pie which is to die for. And OMG have you tried these tarts by Holmfield Bakery? I can live off of those. Also for those who like Kit Kat, the British make a BIG KitKat bar where all you get is one giant bar. It's quite a tasty treat.

Why is it impossible to find this delicious stuff at American grocery stores? Why isn't this mainstream American already? I know it's expensive but that could be because it's made in England and labor is expensive over there plus it's like buying a specialty item.

Why wasn't I ever told about British food? I would have loved to have had British candy when I was younger.

Answer 1

I'm a huge fan of weetabix.....
y'know, I'm glad you found something you really like, and sorry that everyone had to be all grumpy about it.
Really, there are so few positive things that I'm glad you found something that brightened your day. Enjoy all you will ;)

Answer 2

If you are so happy with those treats you should take a trip to Canada, we have all those things here and more. I think you would enjoy Weetibix cereral, Jacobs Cream Crackers, we have big Kit Kats, a a Cadbury bar called "Flake", it is like eating a chocolate cloud. I always buy PG Tips tea, it is sold in our regular supermarkets, and the Heinz beans here are as close the UK brand as possible. I was a chef for many years here, I also have travelled to the UK, and to Scotland, we have almost everything the British stores sell, there are few exceptions, but I go to a shop in Toronto that sells English sweets, like Walnut Whip, Turkish Delight and Cadbury Buttons.

Answer 3

this is probably why: we eat jelly, not marmalade. We do not eat Shepards Pie, therefore we would not want a sauce that goes on top of it...and tarts?? those are def not mainstream american foods. so that is why none of that stuff is mainstream. We didn't grow up eating it so we are not partial to it. As for the jumbo kit kat, I'm surprised we didn't get a hold of that lol. But hopefully this helps you understand why. (When I was in England I couldn't imagine why no grocery stores had ranch, tortilla chips, etc. Not to mention why there were NO mexican restaurants. see? it goes both ways.)

Answer 4

Three oxymorons: French defense; American culture; British cuisine. I'm sure there's some very good British candy, but the best restaurants in London, for instance, are Indian. The other restaurants don't compare to those found in Paris or New York.

Answer 5

You can get marmalade in any supermarket, shepherd's pie was common in America but is now somewhat out of favor. So besides the HP sauce, we're left with candy bars. I don't think this is typical of "British food."

Answer 6

we just didn't know you were unaware. lemon curd will rock your world. and a lovely brit pub food is steak fries (chips) with cheddar cheese melted on them. (not manky cheese sauce, either!)
Walmart in our area has started to carry cadbury Fruit and Nut bars now -- that's a treat worth it.
you should travel to the UK and sample the real thing when yo have a chance.

Answer 7

Most people complain about British food. I got a kick out of your post.

Answer 8

you can get marmilad over here in normal grcery stores but the other stuff i am not sure but i used to eat english muffins with tangerin or orange marmilade.

Answer 9

plain and simple, you never asked or cared to know until now

Answer 10

Maybe because you never asked?