What makes a food “American”? Is it the flavor? The packaging? The manner of consumption? Some things are so pervasive in U.S. culture that it’s hard to imagine them not being in other countries.
Neon-colored gelatin, spray cheese, these are the groceries foreign visitors stare at with confusion, but are household staples to Americans.
Peanut butter
No food could be more American than a jar of peanut butter. Americans spread it on toast, use it for sandwiches, stir it into cookies, or swirl it into sauces. The National Peanut Board claims more than 90% of American households keep it in the pantry.
But outside of North America, it is not nearly so popular. Most nut spreads in other parts of Europe and Asia are either sweet or oily, not salty and thick. The pairing of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches still remains somewhat foreign to many international consumers.
Canned pumpkin
In the U.S., canned pumpkin is a holiday baking staple, and more specifically a pumpkin pie staple. On Thanksgiving in particular, grocery store shelves are stocked with those same familiar orange cans, with the most popular being Libby’s.
It’s all about convenience. Open the can, mix with some other ingredients, and you’re ready to bake. But in most other countries, pumpkin is sold fresh, not canned. Finding canned pumpkin can be a challenge for Americans abroad, and many ship their own supply for the season.
Ranch dressing
Ranch is one of those things that’s available just about anywhere you eat in the U.S. It’s on salads at cafeterias and gourmet restaurants. It’s used as a dip for almost anything fried. Hidden Valley put it on the map in the ’80s, and now it’s the country’s top-selling dressing.
But outside the U.S., the ranch flavor profile is almost nonexistent. Other nations have creamy dressings, but they never taste the same.
American cheese slices
The individually wrapped orange cheese slice is a staple of American kitchens. We stack them on burgers, melt them on toast, and sandwich them with breakfast meats.
Long shelf lives and easy melting earned them a decades-long reign as America’s favorite. Processed cheese is less popular abroad and most families prefer buying blocks of fresh cheese, or hard cheeses.
Jell-O gelatin mixes
Colorful gelatin desserts have been a part of American culture for generations. Jell-O is the most famous. Gelatin desserts became popular after WWII because of their vibrant colors, fruity flavor, and cheap price. Many people keep a few boxes in their pantry at all times.
In much of Europe, Asia, and Latin America, gelatin desserts are made from scratch with unflavored gelatin or agar, instead of powdered, flavored mixes.
Grits
Southerners have been eating grits for generations. In fact, most supermarkets will have them in stock. Grits are made of ground corn or hominy and are a common breakfast food, typically served with butter or cheese. Some have compared grits to polenta, but they do not taste or feel the same.
Outside of the United States, it is rare to find grits anywhere unless you are going to a store that caters to American foods.
Marshmallow fluff
Marshmallow Fluff is a creamy, sticky spread made from whipped marshmallows. An American invention, it’s served in sandwiches or desserts, most notably a peanut butter and fluff sandwich.
Massachusetts celebrates Fluff every year with a Fluff Festival. In other parts of the world, fluff is almost never stocked but can sometimes be found in stores that import American foods.
Root beer
Nothing is more “classic American soda” than root beer. From the sassafras and wintergreen to the brands we all know, like A&W and Barq’s, generations have enjoyed root beer.
But try introducing root beer to the world outside the United States and you’re likely to fail. Most people find the flavor strange and the concept of a root beer float completely foreign.
Pop-tarts
Image Credit: mikeledray /Shutterstock.
Frosted, filled, and ready-to-eat, these pastries are a fast American breakfast. Americans toast them or eat them cold from the package.
Kellogg’s has been marketing Pop-Tarts since 1964 and they’re still popular. Internationally, however, they are not widely available.
Pickles in bulk jars
American grocery stores devote entire aisles to pickles. Dill, bread-and-butter, mild, spicy, they’re sold in gallon jars big enough to serve a family or a party.
In the U.S. pickles are a common burger or sandwich topping as well. Outside the U.S., pickles are often more humble looking small jars on store shelves or homemade or local specialties.
Spray cheese (Aerosol cheese)
Spray cheese is cheese that comes in a can ready to spray. It’s a thing in America where you can squirt it on crackers, sandwiches, or chips. It’s sold in nearly every grocery store. In the majority of countries spray cheese is not available while people express disbelief that anyone would consume it.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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