East coast? Black and white cookies.

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.

Our friends in Europe request Old Bay and stone ground grits.

Anonymous wrote:Maple syrup?

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/

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 wrote:Also maybe Mambo sauce from DC. I feel like a lot of regional New York stuff, like Nathan's hot dogs or pizza, couldnt be shipped. Maybe a jar of Raos?

Omg stooooop with the Rao's sauce worship on this board. It's getting ridiculous

I personally would send VA Peanuts and as others have said some type of American sauces/spice mixes like BBQ rub or mole mix.

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 wrote:GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!

This is genius. I love Thin Mints. I'd skip peanut butter in case they can't read English.

Anonymous wrote:I think something expats say they miss is the types of sauces we have or spices.

Especially being from the east coast or DC, you gotta put in old bay. Then maybe like some creole seasoning as well as BUFFALO sauce. Different kinds of barbecue or hot sauce. Something like pickled okra is distinctly American.

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.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!

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

Anonymous wrote:Peanutbutter

Yes!! And throw in some Marshmallow Fluff too. Long life the fluffer nutter. She can make those for the lab

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.

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.