Let's Go To A British Supermarket! Then Let's Go To A German Supermarket!
It’s that time again! The time to overuse exclamation points and to visit a supermarket in a foreign country! The last time we did this, it was in Australia and you all enjoyed yourselves so much I knew I had to do it again. This time, you’re getting two for the price of one: a visit to a British supermarket, then a visit to a German supermarket. Alas, I didn’t have a chance to go to a French supermarket, so we’ll have to save that for my next trip to Europe. Now, without further ado, let’s hop on over to the Notting Hill neighborhood of London and see what kind of food they’re selling to the locals.
First thing I saw upon entering a Tesco was this:
A tower with all of the ingredients (or most of the ingredients) for a Pimm’s Cup: Pimm’s on the bottom, mint in the middle, lemons on top. Cucumbers, I suppose, were elsewhere.
Check out the British cream: single and double.
Not sure of the difference, but I bet Brits will explain in the comments.
British strawberries are indeed daintier than their American cousins:
Fresh egg noodles for stir-frying? Why doesn’t America have this?
Memo to Britain: you’re spelling hummus wrong. (Or maybe we’re spelling it wrong? Or should I say wroung?)
This felt very British to me:
Look, soup in juice cartons. Ew!
(Actually, that’s not a bad idea.)
We have brioche buns in America, but we don’t call them brochettes. That’s cute.
I only eat my suet shredded:
I like their yeast better (ours is powdered and comes in little packets):
Is brown flour whole wheat flour?
So this is the sugar that all the British cookbooks call for:
Observe: eggs are not refrigerated in Europe.
Ooooh, fresh spaghetti too? We don’t have that:
Gluten-free goods: not just for Americans.
Cereal that we don’t got:
More British cereal: I like the eyes on the bottom of the box.
As I was marveling at all the British candy, a grocery store manager asked me to stop taking pictures.
Secretly, though, I took a few more (they’re not as good because I was being discreet).
Check it out: ratatouille in a can.
Marrowfat peas. (What are those???)
Rice pudding in a can. That’s a good idea!
Rhubarb in a can: why don’t we have that in America?
Beet juice (new to me):
It’s hard to make this out, but it’s a package of fish for Fish Pie, in three colors: white, pink, and yellow. Question: why is that fish yellow?
And thus ended my time at a British supermarket.
Fast forward a week, and I’m in Berlin at the mall connected to my hotel whereupon I discover a German supermarket called Kaiser’s.
Let’s step inside, shall we?
First thing that I see is something called Physalis with a very Alice in Wonderland message on it: “Eat Me.”
Too scared to know what happens if you do.
These vegetables may not seem special, but they seem to be a cross between scallions and spring onions which I haven’t seen at an American supermarket ever:
Why do these eggs look like this?
Look: more eggs out of the refrigerator.
But you know what is refrigerated? Vacuum-sealed corn.
Schmaltz, to me, is chicken fat. Is that what these are?
White anchovies and pickled herring:
All kinds of sausage (everywhere you go in Germany; it’s a nationwide sausage party):
This was the coolest thing I saw: pre-made spaetzle. I think this would do really well in the States, I really do.
I don’t know what kind of chocolates these are, but the kittens on the package are so cute:
Jams from berries I’ve never heard of:
More funky cereal:
And more:
Soda with cool labels:
I think they’re making these berries up, I really do:
Not sure how this translates, but I’m guessing: “Texas Art” which is a funny name for a mixture of beans, corn, and red peppers.
Nervous to know what’s in here:
Weiners in jars with liquid are not the most appetizing things I’ve ever seen:
But I would give Bacon Pep a try:
These Jamaican Hot Chips are full of secrets:
And salad dressing isn’t salad dressing, it’s salad mayonnaise:
That, my friends, concludes our visits to British and German supermarkets. Now I’m off to visit an American one because it’s almost time to shop for dinner.
