UK to USA Food Swap

lottycat
lottycat Posts: 333 Member
edited October 3 in Food and Nutrition
Hello,

I'm not sure if this is a good place to post this or not...

I went round to a friends house last night and noticed that he had an array of American chocolate on his desk. I enquired about where he got it from and he said that he and his American pen-pal often exchange chocolate by post. Genius!

I keep finding amazing recipes and products that are available in the USA, that we can't get over here in the UK, so I wondered if anyone from accross the pond wanted to buddy-up with me me to do some food swaps. I can send you the best that our British cuisine has to offer - if you've never tried Marmite, you are missing out! And in turn you can send me some tasty USA treats (healthy ones preferably!)

If you're interested then just add me as a friend with a message :)

Thanks xxxx
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Replies

  • shannon121278
    shannon121278 Posts: 357
    Not sure if I would have much time to participate and be a good "pen pal" or "food swapper" with my life schedule right now, but I just wanted to say, this is a really cool idea you have. Maybe in the future if things slow down for me, I will look into something like this!
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    I have one two words for you Graze Box..............why don't we have these over here!! We do get Marmite over here though I have never tried it............adding you to my friends list in 3...2....1 done.
  • prunella1066
    prunella1066 Posts: 89 Member
    Sent you a message and what is Marmite anyway? ;)
  • BrewerGeorge
    BrewerGeorge Posts: 397 Member
    OMG, Marmite is one of those things you have to grow up on, I think. Horrible stuff. :devil:

    I wouldn't mind some Lyle's, though.

    I'm having trouble thinking of "American" stuff to send, though. I always have the same problem with my company's visitors from Japan.
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    Marmite...imagine a very thick, sickly gravy!

    Hehe. The TV advert tagline is "You either love it or hate it!". I hate it personally! XD

    I had a friend in the US once, and for my birthday she sent me the American Monopoly!
  • lottycat
    lottycat Posts: 333 Member
    Thanks for all your replies guys :)

    But I rather foolishly posted this at nearly midnight UK time, and I really need to get to bed! I will get back to everyone tomorrow :)

    Nunight xxx
  • AtticusFinch
    AtticusFinch Posts: 1,262 Member
    Sent you a message and what is Marmite anyway? ;)

    It's a mixture of melted rubber, brussel sprout, and ground down fish bones. Some people think it tastes good enough to spread on toast to eat, everyone else just uses it as a cheap alternative for tar.

    It's revolting - don't go there.

    (Marmite crisps, on the other hand are fantastic)

    btw - it's a spread made from vegetable extract
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmite
  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    Sent you a message and what is Marmite anyway? ;)

    It's a mixture of melted rubber, brussel sprout, and ground down fish bones. Some people think it tastes good enough to spread on toast to eat, everyone else just uses it as a cheap alternative for tar.

    It's revolting - don't go there.

    (Marmite crisps, on the other hand are fantastic)

    btw - it's a spread made from vegetable extract
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmite

    Vegemite is totally better. Just saying.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Mmmm marmite!

    A little goes a long way. Spread thinly on toast, cut into soldiers (thin fingers) and dipped into boiled egg...divine!
  • sneezles
    sneezles Posts: 165 Member
    Marmite is a by-product from beer brewing. It's the yeast left over. Not a fan!
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    marmite-404_685611c.jpg

    Yeast Extract.
  • BrewerGeorge
    BrewerGeorge Posts: 397 Member
    ...
    Yeast Extract.
    Autolyzed yeast.
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    ...
    Yeast Extract.
    Autolyzed yeast.

    Or, the more scientific term, "Crap" :P
  • SarahxCheesecake
    SarahxCheesecake Posts: 169 Member

    I'm not sure if this is a good place to post this or not...

    No
  • SarahxCheesecake
    SarahxCheesecake Posts: 169 Member
    Hello,

    Hello
  • thekaraokequeen
    thekaraokequeen Posts: 2
    mmmmmm i LOVE marmite-and yes, on toast. don't know whether you have Twiglets in the US? if you have it tastes like what's on those,yummy
  • kendrafallon
    kendrafallon Posts: 1,030 Member
    marmite-404_685611c.jpg

    Yeast Extract.
    Mmmm spread v thinly on hot toast!! But it is definitely an acquired taste!!
  • seal57
    seal57 Posts: 1,259 Member
    Sent you a message and what is Marmite anyway? ;)

    It's a mixture of melted rubber, brussel sprout, and ground down fish bones. Some people think it tastes good enough to spread on toast to eat, everyone else just uses it as a cheap alternative for tar.

    It's revolting - don't go there.

    (Marmite crisps, on the other hand are fantastic)

    btw - it's a spread made from vegetable extract
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmite

    Vegemite is totally better. Just saying.

    Totally agree.......Love Vegemite and cheese sanga........also yummy if you add lettuce to that.........
  • marianne_s
    marianne_s Posts: 983 Member
    Oh... I thought this post would be about what the eqiuvalent UK items are for some of the US foods mentioned (eggbeaters, cilantro(?), something(?) dash).... sorry, I forgot some of the names...

    But I would be interested in this too....

    I would love to try the skinny cow or high protein (Kashi ?) bars that everyone talks about.... or PB2 (I love peanut butter!)

    I'm not sure what anyone would want from the UK though...
  • jooles0
    jooles0 Posts: 47
    This is a GREAT idea. I am in the UK and have a MASSIVE list of things I would like from the USA and would happily put a box together from the UK to swap things.

    Add me if you would like to play swaps.

    By the way MARMITE RULES, full of B vitamins and yummmmmy
  • sweebeesmom
    sweebeesmom Posts: 148
    I love swaps!! I live in Los Angeles, California.. and have access to some British Imports at specialty stores, but always like trying new things. I also have access to a lot of things too to mail out. I think I just liking giving and receiving packages in general. Please add me if interested :)
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    Marmite RULES!!! Toast isn't toast without Marmite, and the squeezable Marmite has been the highlight of the decade for me!!

    BUT at Christmas I sent some along with Twiglets for a friend in America, she did NOT like it and says she can STILL taste it, lol! :laugh: it is good for you though...

    Be warned, posting things to USA isn't cheap - I sent the same friend a bottle of Vimto the previous year and it cost me about £17!!!! :noway:
  • KittyMul
    KittyMul Posts: 74 Member
    Sent you a message and what is Marmite anyway? ;)

    It's a mixture of melted rubber, brussel sprout, and ground down fish bones. Some people think it tastes good enough to spread on toast to eat, everyone else just uses it as a cheap alternative for tar.

    It's revolting - don't go there.

    (Marmite crisps, on the other hand are fantastic)

    btw - it's a spread made from vegetable extract
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmite

    Vegemite is totally better. Just saying.

    Totally agree.......Love Vegemite and cheese sanga........also yummy if you add lettuce to that.........

    The lunchbox classic! Toasted cheese and vegemite sarnies are even better, they always remind me of coming home from Saturday sports in winter, cold and wet, and warming up with hot Milo and Vegemite toasties.

    But still... white toast with butter and vegemite and a cup of tea - this will always be my comfort food!
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    there are LOTS of places in the Uk where you can get US groceries..and I know when I lived in San Francisco and New York City there were literally hundreds of ex-pat shops selling UK goods like Heinz Beans and mars bars etc at 5 times the price! I am lucky that I fly to the states often and load up with marshmallow fluff, but my American friends just go crazy about Branston Pickle, it's a staple at the tailgate before every single 49ers home game :-)
  • McPenguin
    McPenguin Posts: 67
    Oh... I thought this post would be about what the eqiuvalent UK items are for some of the US foods mentioned (eggbeaters, cilantro(?), something(?) dash).... sorry, I forgot some of the names...

    But I would be interested in this too....

    I would love to try the skinny cow or high protein (Kashi ?) bars that everyone talks about.... or PB2 (I love peanut butter!)

    I'm not sure what anyone would want from the UK though...

    :) Cute list! Some of it will be a little difficult though to send... just saying. eggs and ice cream will probably spoil on their way to you!

    1) eggbeaters - are just eggs that have all been cracked and blended, and put in a carton (like a carton of milk). No shells. Sometimes you can get just the "egg whites".. and have no yolks to deal with if you have cholesterol problems.

    2) cilantro is the same spice as coriander. It's the leaves, while I think coriander is from the seeds. Either way... they are interchangeable in some recipes. I'm allergic to it, and was told by the allergist that they're the same, and to stay away from both. So, if you've got coriander, you're good there.

    3) Mrs. Dash? Is that what you meant? I think that's a US spice, and could be sent with no problems. As long as customs labels don't get labelled as food, it would get to you okay I think.

    4) skinny cow - is a low fat, pre-portioned ice cream. I don't know how to get it home from the grocery store without it half melting, let alone over the ocean. :**( But, skinny cow is low in fat, but still contains sugar. So the verdict is out for some people on eating it anyway.

    5) Kashi bars - totally do-able!
  • SabrinaJL
    SabrinaJL Posts: 1,579 Member
    I had an Australian friend send me a box with Vegemite (truly disgusting), Caramello Koalas (yummy), Tim Tams (delicious) and Peppermint Crisp (amazing!). You can find a lot of international stuff at World Market, (that's where I buy Kinder Bueno and Kinder Country). I would like to get some Jammie Dodgers as I've been unable to find those around here. Not because they sound good or anything, just because we like Doctor Who and what if we need to bluff some Daleks one day?
  • sneezles
    sneezles Posts: 165 Member
    cilantro in the US is fresh coriander in the UK...cilantro being the Spanish word.

    Egg Beaters are just egg whites though the original has coloring or colouring
  • darklord48
    darklord48 Posts: 114 Member
    2) cilantro is the same spice as coriander. It's the leaves, while I think coriander is from the seeds. Either way... they are interchangeable in some recipes. I'm allergic to it, and was told by the allergist that they're the same, and to stay away from both. So, if you've got coriander, you're good there.

    While Cilantro is from the same plant as Coriander, the flavors are different. You are correct in US terms, Coriander is the seed of the Cilantro plant. There is a dried Cilantro that could be shipped overseas, similar to Oregano and Thyme, it is dried and must be re-hydrated to release the full flavor.
  • stefnicole
    stefnicole Posts: 106
    Sounds interesting. I wouldn't mind sending some tasty US treats!
  • PorcelainPirate
    PorcelainPirate Posts: 8
    For anyone still enjoying crisps/chips in moderation, I know that a lot of the flavours are different between the UK and US. I have a friend in the States I swap Pringles flavours with.
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