Food gifts from the US

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A search for 'peanut butter' on a first UK supermarket chain that came to mind yielded 74 results.
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/shop/search?&searchTerm=peanut%20butter
I don't understand where this idea that peanut butter is not available in Europe comes from. Maybe it was so a couple of decades ago? Same applies for all kinds of nuts as well.

Of course, it's always nice if someone brings a small gift or otherwise shows they wanted to do something nice for you. That's what people react positively to, not the fact that they finally got their hands on your preferred brand of peanut butter.

helpful

[Anonymous]

Maple syrup is unique to North America.

Bourbon of course.

Craft beers

BBQ sauces

Old Bay Seasoning

[Anonymous]

Maple syrup and pecans - you do get them in Europe, they’re a lot more expensive.
Locally made hot sauce

[Anonymous]

a bunch of weird flavor Oreos
Reeses PB cups
Cheetos
some TJs snacks based on their tastes

Not Hershey's chocolates because people in Europe think its tastes weird.

[Anonymous]

The tamarind chili candies from Costco that are all the rage now.

[Anonymous]

Vermont maple syrup
Michigan cherry jam
Virginia peanuts
Hawaiian macadamia nuts
Old Bay seasoning
Washington DC Starbucks mug

[Anonymous]

Agree oh peanut butter, maybe a few varieties. My former au pair rarely had it in the Uk and loved it here.

[Anonymous]

Cracker Jacks!

[Anonymous]

My husband’s relatives are across the North Sea in Holland so not exactly the same but they have enjoyed and requested peanut butter, ranch dressing, stuffing mix, microwave popcorn, brownie mix and root beer flavored items.

[Anonymous]

Different flavors of maple syrup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Snacks from traders Joe’s. Everything else is pretty much available in London. There are costco stores and plenty of shops that cater to all the Americans in London like partridge’s. Bring canvas TJ bags stuffed full of your favorite TJ snacks, everything bagel spice, etc.

I’m Canadian and I second this. We want the TJs products, it’s what I request anytime a friend goes stateside.

Do you visit the US with bags full of ketchup chips in return?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vermont maple syrup
Michigan cherry jam
Virginia peanuts
Hawaiian macadamia nuts
Old Bay seasoning
Washington DC Starbucks mug

These are good suggestions. Local and regional foods make nice gifts and show that Americans don't just eat fast food/junk food. Michigan dried cherries are great. Real fire-parched wild rice from Minnesota. Zatarain's mixes (it's a New Orleans company). Pioneer gravy mixes (it's a San Antonio, TX company). John Cope's dried corn from Pennsylvania. Sample size bottles and jars of locally made jams, honey, hot sauce, BBQ sauce, maple syrup, bourbon, etc. Full size bottles and jars are heavy and take up too much room. Lake Champlain chocolates from Vermont or other locally made high quality chocolate (not Hershey's). Stick with lightweight things in small packages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A search for 'peanut butter' on a first UK supermarket chain that came to mind yielded 74 results.
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/shop/search?&searchTerm=peanut%20butter
I don't understand where this idea that peanut butter is not available in Europe comes from. Maybe it was so a couple of decades ago? Same applies for all kinds of nuts as well.

Of course, it's always nice if someone brings a small gift or otherwise shows they wanted to do something nice for you. That's what people react positively to, not the fact that they finally got their hands on your preferred brand of peanut butter.

helpful

20 years ago it was very hard to find peanut butter even in bigger cities. You couldn't even find Oreos. So it isn't unreasonable. I mean shoot, a bit more than 20 years ago finding Nutella in the US was a big deal.

I still think there are very local items that you won't find. Bergers cookies, Mambo sauce, etc come to mind.

[Anonymous]

What are the particular trader Joe's snacks people like to give as gifts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Snacks from traders Joe’s. Everything else is pretty much available in London. There are costco stores and plenty of shops that cater to all the Americans in London like partridge’s. Bring canvas TJ bags stuffed full of your favorite TJ snacks, everything bagel spice, etc.

I’m Canadian and I second this. We want the TJs products, it’s what I request anytime a friend goes stateside.

Do you visit the US with bags full of ketchup chips in return?

If I’m going to visit someone who’s specifically requested them, sure. The other thing people specifically request (either expats or people who’ve visited Canada & tried Caesars before) is Clamato juice.