Having lived and traveled overseas for a couple of decades, I agree that one learns to embrace the differences in food taste and names, or suffers the discomfort of whatever comfort zones you have for eating and drinking. Even if you can find a McDonald’s in a foreign country who serves a regular burger and coke, they will not taste similar to what you are familiar with at home. This is not an indictment against the taste buds of foreigners, but moreso the result of how much influence the prepared food industry has in America on our preference for sweet and salty things. In a similar capitalistic approach to scaring us to stay tuned to the tv and internet, the processed food industry knows that sweet and salty things are consumed in greater quantities than those with little or none. That preference will forcibly change as we age and develop pre-diabetes and heart conditions , but until then we consume what they offer us. So, you will find less of that overseas (due to greater regulation and wisdom to protect the public from itself). And it will taste “different “. Life-Hack; if it really bothers you, just carry packets of sugar and salt to add to your meals overseas!
This is so exactly it! Trying, or expecting, everywhere Else to feel just like home is the exact opposite point of why we travel to begin with. I love this, and your tips are dead on. Everywhere we go we buy a little bottle of sea salt for our dishes :)
I’m so far behind on Substack, but I had to chime in. I love grocery stores in other countries! It’s fun trying to decipher the language and try new things! I just spent a week sailing around Corfu, Greece and went to different grocery stores in several different islands. It’s such a great experience and a way to really get in with the locals. We spent 3 hours in the first grocery store provisioning for the trip on day one and had a blast! Grocery stores are an adventure all on their own!
Your trip sounds SO F'ing delightful, holy smokes. I LOVE this and you two sound JUST like Sarah and I hahaha, 3 hours in one grocery store is so very us.
Yes yes and also yes! We went in to convenience stores and grocery stores in Ireland. Even stumbled on a couple Brazilian grocery stores and Joe conversed with the owner in Portuguese- not expecting that one in Ireland!
I read labels and so much less CRAP put in foods in Europe. Dark chocolate Digestives- ate the last ones last night. Guess we gotta go back now….😉
Love grocery stores. Anywhere. When I go to visit in England, just outside of London, I wind up in ethnic shops my favorite being Indian and Chinese markets. Yes, they still have the Jammy Dodgers, but they also have strange things that one cannot know what it is since you can't read the language, but it looks good! I have purchased spices in bulk and special curry powders ... Indian and Pakistani sweets ... tea ... chocolate [so much better than here in the States] ... and one of my favorite things, juniper beets. Baby beets made by steaming them with juniper berries. Heaven. Also, a favorite thing is buying bread and cheese and having some on the train back to 'home'.
I love this! What a great idea to go to the local grocery to find out abut the people! Thank-you Tyler
Once you start, you'll seek them out EVERYWHERE. It's our favorite thing.
Having lived and traveled overseas for a couple of decades, I agree that one learns to embrace the differences in food taste and names, or suffers the discomfort of whatever comfort zones you have for eating and drinking. Even if you can find a McDonald’s in a foreign country who serves a regular burger and coke, they will not taste similar to what you are familiar with at home. This is not an indictment against the taste buds of foreigners, but moreso the result of how much influence the prepared food industry has in America on our preference for sweet and salty things. In a similar capitalistic approach to scaring us to stay tuned to the tv and internet, the processed food industry knows that sweet and salty things are consumed in greater quantities than those with little or none. That preference will forcibly change as we age and develop pre-diabetes and heart conditions , but until then we consume what they offer us. So, you will find less of that overseas (due to greater regulation and wisdom to protect the public from itself). And it will taste “different “. Life-Hack; if it really bothers you, just carry packets of sugar and salt to add to your meals overseas!
This is so exactly it! Trying, or expecting, everywhere Else to feel just like home is the exact opposite point of why we travel to begin with. I love this, and your tips are dead on. Everywhere we go we buy a little bottle of sea salt for our dishes :)
I’m so far behind on Substack, but I had to chime in. I love grocery stores in other countries! It’s fun trying to decipher the language and try new things! I just spent a week sailing around Corfu, Greece and went to different grocery stores in several different islands. It’s such a great experience and a way to really get in with the locals. We spent 3 hours in the first grocery store provisioning for the trip on day one and had a blast! Grocery stores are an adventure all on their own!
Your trip sounds SO F'ing delightful, holy smokes. I LOVE this and you two sound JUST like Sarah and I hahaha, 3 hours in one grocery store is so very us.
Ty and I love to do this, too!! :D here's to shopping local, when we're at home AND when we're abroad.
YES!!!
Yes yes and also yes! We went in to convenience stores and grocery stores in Ireland. Even stumbled on a couple Brazilian grocery stores and Joe conversed with the owner in Portuguese- not expecting that one in Ireland!
I read labels and so much less CRAP put in foods in Europe. Dark chocolate Digestives- ate the last ones last night. Guess we gotta go back now….😉
I love this so much, and love how much you two really did suck every drop of joy from your trip! And YES, the ingredients are SHOCKING here.
Love grocery stores. Anywhere. When I go to visit in England, just outside of London, I wind up in ethnic shops my favorite being Indian and Chinese markets. Yes, they still have the Jammy Dodgers, but they also have strange things that one cannot know what it is since you can't read the language, but it looks good! I have purchased spices in bulk and special curry powders ... Indian and Pakistani sweets ... tea ... chocolate [so much better than here in the States] ... and one of my favorite things, juniper beets. Baby beets made by steaming them with juniper berries. Heaven. Also, a favorite thing is buying bread and cheese and having some on the train back to 'home'.
Oooh yes to all this. I am so glad you've found what we've found!
We do this too!!! Just back from the UK and really impressed with the variety of vegan options.
We stopped in Singapore and I was tempted to try “Kickapoo Joy Juice”
I have no idea what that is, but it sounds MAGICAL.