“Typical American food” gift that can be shipped internationally?
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Anonymous
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Beef jerky. Pecan pralines. Tamales. BBQ (mainly sausage, turkey and brisket carefully packaged) . Doubt latter would make it to Ger but maybe formers would
That’s what my mother sends me in care packages from home because I still crave these at random times of the year. |
Anonymous
| When I had to send a gift to a family in Europe (they hosted my dd) I sent food products specific to California. They were a huge hit according to my dd, possibly because of the California mystique. |
Anonymous
Yes!! And throw in some Marshmallow Fluff too. Long life the fluffer nutter. She can make those for the lab |
Anonymous
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OP here - Thank you all so much for the great ideas!
Of note, a fluffer nutter sandwich made on German bread would be an absolute TRAVESTY 
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Anonymous
| GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!! |
Anonymous
I was totally thinking Old Bay seasoning and BBQ Sauce too. I absolutely love Trader Joe's BBQ sauce. Did you say for sharing at the office? Maybe chips like Pringles. Utz Vinegar chips!! Oreos. Pop Tarts. |
Anonymous
This is genius. I love Thin Mints. I'd skip peanut butter in case they can't read English. |
Anonymous
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Whatever you do, don't send American chocolate. It's terrible compared to European chocolate. And totally embarrassing.
Things that are harder to get over there Real maple syrup Hot wing sauce (not sure they would like this, but you can't find it) American whiskey /bourbon Pralines Pecan anything (exorbitantly expensive in Europe) Graham cracker pie crusts (you probably don't want to send that but it's definitely hard to find) Cracker jack type popcorn / selection |
Anonymous
| I personally would send VA Peanuts and as others have said some type of American sauces/spice mixes like BBQ rub or mole mix. |
Anonymous
Omg stooooop with the Rao's sauce worship on this board. It's getting ridiculous |
Anonymous
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How is this person going to share bottles of sauces with a group of colleagues in a lab?
OP, stick with snacks/sweets. Flavored popcorn and pralines are both things that should ship and travel well. |
Anonymous
I'm not sure it if that appeals to European tastes. A friend who did a sabbatical in England says she was given a TON of maple syrup, passed along by colleagues who had been given it as bread-and-butter presents by American guests. Yes, the people who like Marmite and tomato-y baked beans and Christmas pudding (SUET! YUM!) think maple syrup is gross. Anyway. Little sample bottles of hot sauce? https://www.hotsauce.com/Mini-and-Travel-Hot-Sauces/ |
Anonymous
| Our friends in Europe request Old Bay and stone ground grits. |
Anonymous
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Peanut butter and marshmallow fluff tend to be exactly the kinds of things that are stocked on the shelves in the "American" section of grocery stores in Europe, along with some other oddities like crispy taco shells and a few types of American cereal. So, they might not be as hard to find as you might think anymore. But, they're certainly more expensive there! I think Kraft Mac n' Cheese could be a good option, that's ubiquitous in the US but I've never seen it in Europe.
That being said, when I went to eastern Europe pre-pandemic, people requested Reese's Pieces specifically. Not reeses cups, just the pieces. Old bay is a good idea, along with any Tex-Mex ingredients (taco seasoning, etc). Note that packages are taking an absolute eon to clear customs right now, so be sure to pack something that is very shelf stable. Found this: https://www.expatfocus.com/columnists/courtney-martin/the-best-american-foods-you-wont-find-in-germany-1494/ and this https://www.reddit.com/r/germany/comments/5fpvb2/snacks_that_are_not_available_in_germany/ Both of which mirror a bunch of the comments on this thread. BBQ sauce is a good one. |
Anonymous
| East coast? Black and white cookies. |