British foods questions

Kate wrote on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:56:12 -0400:

KC> One of my bosses is going to England for a month.
KC> When she travels she always brings me something back.
KC> From Europe it's usually chocolate. I prefer food
KC> type gifts, rather than some tacky souvenir that I
KC> have no use for. Anyway, she's used to me so she asked
KC> me what I want from England.

KC> Well, I've gone on line to see what sorts of things

I personally like brown pub-type pickled onions. You can buy
them here but they tend to cost an arm and a leg. However, the
weight might make them a little impractical. Apart again from
the weight, a English wine or two might be interesting. I'm told
they can be quite good these days tho' I have no personal
experience.

Apart from the clotted cream, I've seen all of your choices at
an import place here, Rodman's in Rockville, but they cost quite
a bit. However, it's been a while since I looked at food prices
in Britain. The last time I was there, the numbers on restaurant
items were similar to those in Washington but they were talking
about pounds and alcohol taxes seem fierce!

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

"Kate Connally" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Okay, what are mushy peas anyway? Are they just
plain old green peas that have been smushed up?

MUSHY PEAS are made with marrowfat peas (mature dried ones) and a bit of
mint. Sometimes you can find them in the British/Irish section of
supermarkets. They are an acquired taste!

Quoted message said:

One of my bosses is going to England for a month.
When she travels she always brings me something back.
From Europe it's usually chocolate. I prefer food
type gifts, rather than some tacky souvenir that I
have no use for. Anyway, she's used to me so she asked
me what I want from England.

Well, I've gone on line to see what sorts of things
might be available that are transportable and she would
have no trouble bringing back. To tell the truth most
of the foods I'd like to try are fresh, not canned or
packaged. It's very hard thinking of anything sort of
packaged food that I would want, and most of them are
actually available here anyway, in specialty shops.

Anyway, so far I have thought of:

Tate & Lyle's Golden Syrup

Cadbury chocolate or other candies

BRITISH CADBURY is very nice, but you might want to try Butler's chocolates.

Quoted message said:

Heinz Baked Beans (as a sort of lark as I'm curious
about British "beans on toast" and I understand the British
version of Heinz baked beans is different from ours)

haggis (I saw that there's a canned on available though don't know
if it's any good and since my boss is a vegetarian she might
not want to get me that)

clotted cream (not sure if this is practical - I've seen bottled
ones, but do they still need to be kept refrigerater?).

CLOTTED CREAM and Double Devon (a bit lighter) are in glass jars, so you
might want to ask your boss for other goodies and order these from King
Arthur Flour. As I recall, they should be refrigerated after opening.

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have any suggestions. I want something that's
pretty unique to Britain and is really good (well, with the
exception of the haggis and bake beans ;-))

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?
[email hidden]

Kate Connally said:

packaged food that I would want, and most of them are
actually available here anyway, in specialty shops.

Branston Pickle is available in some speciality stores but much
cheaper in England. All you need is some good bread, the Branston, a
pickled onion, and _good_ Cheddar, not the yellow stuff. If it is
sealed in plastic, she will be able to bring you some of the cheese as
well.

--Stephanie

Felice Friese said:

BRITISH CADBURY is very nice, but you might want to try Butler's chocolates.

I don't know who makes it, but there's a peculiar
chocolate flake bar popular in England. Worth
trying at least once, so you know what it's like.

From an Ex Pat in France point of View, what we request from visitors is

Marmite is something that you either love or hate, I can't stand it on
its own but do love Twiglets which are a snack stick covered in it.

Heinz Treacle Sponge Puddings might get through as not being fresh food
(Sponge pudding made with T+L Golden Syrup)

Heinz Baked Beans are a staple for us but that is a question of habit I
suppose. French "haricot blancs au sauce tomate" are ****te (Mind you I
only ever buy Heinz in the UK )

I used to love Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney pies in tins but wheras I
can't match their pastry, my filling is so much tastier.

Everything else I can think of would be considered "Fresh" I'm afraid
(We had major panics a month ago when we had stream of visitors heading
out here to France for our birthdays and the UK got by Foot + Mouth disease)

If Chocolates are allowed then 'er indoors would say that Bendicks
Bitter Mints are unsurpassed by anything else

Steve

PS If you are into proper tasting tea (ie strong) then a box of PG Tips
T Bags would be an idea.

Kate Connally said:

Okay, what are mushy peas anyway? Are they just
plain old green peas that have been smushed up?

One of my bosses is going to England for a month.
When she travels she always brings me something back.
From Europe it's usually chocolate. I prefer food
type gifts, rather than some tacky souvenir that I
have no use for. Anyway, she's used to me so she asked
me what I want from England.

Well, I've gone on line to see what sorts of things
might be available that are transportable and she would
have no trouble bringing back. To tell the truth most
of the foods I'd like to try are fresh, not canned or
packaged. It's very hard thinking of anything sort of
packaged food that I would want, and most of them are
actually available here anyway, in specialty shops.

Anyway, so far I have thought of:

Tate & Lyle's Golden Syrup

Cadbury chocolate or other candies

Heinz Baked Beans (as a sort of lark as I'm curious
about British "beans on toast" and I understand the British
version of Heinz baked beans is different from ours)

haggis (I saw that there's a canned on available though don't know
if it's any good and since my boss is a vegetarian she might
not want to get me that)

clotted cream (not sure if this is practical - I've seen bottled
ones, but do they still need to be kept refrigerater?).

Does anyone have any suggestions. I want something that's
pretty unique to Britain and is really good (well, with the
exception of the haggis and bake beans ;-))

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?
[email hidden]

You really want to torture yourself with food from the land of the
culinarily challenged? 🙂

Stilton cheese, Worcestershire sauce...

"Kate Connally" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Okay, what are mushy peas anyway? Are they just
plain old green peas that have been smushed up?

One of my bosses is going to England for a month.
When she travels she always brings me something back.
From Europe it's usually chocolate. I prefer food
type gifts, rather than some tacky souvenir that I
have no use for. Anyway, she's used to me so she asked
me what I want from England.

Well, I've gone on line to see what sorts of things
might be available that are transportable and she would
have no trouble bringing back. To tell the truth most
of the foods I'd like to try are fresh, not canned or
packaged. It's very hard thinking of anything sort of
packaged food that I would want, and most of them are
actually available here anyway, in specialty shops.

Anyway, so far I have thought of:

Tate & Lyle's Golden Syrup

Cadbury chocolate or other candies

Heinz Baked Beans (as a sort of lark as I'm curious
about British "beans on toast" and I understand the British
version of Heinz baked beans is different from ours)

haggis (I saw that there's a canned on available though don't know
if it's any good and since my boss is a vegetarian she might
not want to get me that)

clotted cream (not sure if this is practical - I've seen bottled
ones, but do they still need to be kept refrigerater?).

Does anyone have any suggestions. I want something that's
pretty unique to Britain and is really good (well, with the
exception of the haggis and bake beans ;-))

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?
[email hidden]

Must be Cadbury ! But am not sure whether the product available today
is the same as in my day, last one I saw was covered which seems to have
spoiled the whole thing. Used to be major part of a 99 !

Steve

Mark Thorson said:

Felice Friese said:

BRITISH CADBURY is very nice, but you might want to try Butler's chocolates.

I don't know who makes it, but there's a peculiar
chocolate flake bar popular in England. Worth
trying at least once, so you know what it's like.

I hope you are not from America making such a statement.

"Pete C." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You really want to torture yourself with food from the land of the
culinarily challenged? 🙂

Brown Sauce... preferable 'Dads'

"Kate Connally" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Okay, what are mushy peas anyway? Are they just
plain old green peas that have been smushed up?

One of my bosses is going to England for a month.
When she travels she always brings me something back.
From Europe it's usually chocolate. I prefer food
type gifts, rather than some tacky souvenir that I
have no use for. Anyway, she's used to me so she asked
me what I want from England.

Well, I've gone on line to see what sorts of things
might be available that are transportable and she would
have no trouble bringing back. To tell the truth most
of the foods I'd like to try are fresh, not canned or
packaged. It's very hard thinking of anything sort of
packaged food that I would want, and most of them are
actually available here anyway, in specialty shops.

Anyway, so far I have thought of:

Tate & Lyle's Golden Syrup

Cadbury chocolate or other candies

Heinz Baked Beans (as a sort of lark as I'm curious
about British "beans on toast" and I understand the British
version of Heinz baked beans is different from ours)

haggis (I saw that there's a canned on available though don't know
if it's any good and since my boss is a vegetarian she might
not want to get me that)

clotted cream (not sure if this is practical - I've seen bottled
ones, but do they still need to be kept refrigerater?).

Does anyone have any suggestions. I want something that's
pretty unique to Britain and is really good (well, with the
exception of the haggis and bake beans ;-))

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?
[email hidden]

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

Okay, what are mushy peas anyway? Are they just
plain old green peas that have been smushed up?

One of my bosses is going to England for a month.
When she travels she always brings me something back.
From Europe it's usually chocolate. I prefer food
type gifts, rather than some tacky souvenir that I
have no use for. Anyway, she's used to me so she asked
me what I want from England.

Well, I've gone on line to see what sorts of things
might be available that are transportable and she would
have no trouble bringing back. To tell the truth most
of the foods I'd like to try are fresh, not canned or
packaged. It's very hard thinking of anything sort of
packaged food that I would want, and most of them are
actually available here anyway, in specialty shops.

Anyway, so far I have thought of:

Tate & Lyle's Golden Syrup

Cadbury chocolate or other candies

Heinz Baked Beans (as a sort of lark as I'm curious
about British "beans on toast" and I understand the British
version of Heinz baked beans is different from ours)

haggis (I saw that there's a canned on available though don't know
if it's any good and since my boss is a vegetarian she might
not want to get me that)

clotted cream (not sure if this is practical - I've seen bottled
ones, but do they still need to be kept refrigerater?).

Does anyone have any suggestions. I want something that's
pretty unique to Britain and is really good (well, with the
exception of the haggis and bake beans ;-))

Kate

Tell him to bring back as many packages of McVitie's Plain Chocolate
digestive biscuits as he can fit in his suitcases, and forget about the
other stuff. The packages are cylindrical, so they may get some
attention when the bags are x-rayed, but they're well worth whatever
extra scrutiny they attract. And believe me, they still won't attract
near as much attention as a case of [censored] Extra Stong Mints will, nestled
in your check baggage.

And, of course a package of microwave-able spotted [censored] mix is always a
conversation piece if he's got a spare suitcase corner to fill. Some of
the puddings these mixes make are actually pretty decent.

Bob

Ali said:

I hope you are not from America making such a statement.

"Pete C." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You really want to torture yourself with food from the land of the
culinarily challenged? 🙂

Of course I am. Like the Britts, we depend on a lot of imported
cuisine's, but at least the dishes that are our own native creations are
actually good 🙂

Kate Connally said:

Does anyone have any suggestions. I want something that's
pretty unique to Britain and is really good (well, with the
exception of the haggis and bake beans ;-))

Kate

Have you ever had wine gums? They are jelly candies, quite nice.
Are TimTams strictly Australian or are they available in Britain also?

gloria p

Puester said:

Kate Connally said:

Does anyone have any suggestions. I want something that's
pretty unique to Britain and is really good (well, with the
exception of the haggis and bake beans ;-))

Quoted message said:

Kate

Have you ever had wine gums? They are jelly candies, quite nice.
Are TimTams strictly Australian or are they available in Britain also?

gloria p

Tea
Potato Chips (aka crisps) - just because they have so many more
flavors than we do.

Everything else that's been mentioned, I can purchase from my regular
supermarket in California. McVities, wine gums, spotted [censored] (makes
an excellent Christmas present for someone with a sense of humor),
Heinz baked beans, marmite, XO sauce, worcestshire sauce, imported
cheese, etc. So I'm not sure how special they are.

If you could bring back a London curry......

Susan B.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Kate Connally said:

One of my bosses is going to England for a month.
When she travels she always brings me something back.
From Europe it's usually chocolate. I prefer food
type gifts, rather than some tacky souvenir that I
have no use for. Anyway, she's used to me so she asked
me what I want from England.

There are scone mixes. My daughter brought one back from England.

Kate Connally said:

Does anyone have any suggestions. I want something that's
pretty unique to Britain and is really good (well, with the
exception of the haggis and bake beans ;-))

Kate

Almost everything you've named is available to me, even here in Podunk.
Publix actually carries the British version of the Heinz Baked Beans,
PGtips tea and other items. A couple of places have the cream.
I'd personally go for all the wonderful candies! Wine gums and
chocolates that make nice transportable goodies. Again, many found
stateside too, but if your boss insists... 🙂

Steve Y said:

PS If you are into proper tasting tea (ie strong) then a box of PG Tips
T Bags would be an idea.

That's my standard tea (hot and iced) these days. VERY good and recently
rated very highly by Cooks Illustrated. Publix sells it very reasonably
priced.
I'm also working on a tin of loose Prince of Wales Tea which is a nice
mild tea.

"Kate Connally" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Okay, what are mushy peas anyway? Are they just
plain old green peas that have been smushed up?

One of my bosses is going to England for a month.
When she travels she always brings me something back.
From Europe it's usually chocolate. I prefer food
type gifts, rather than some tacky souvenir that I
have no use for. Anyway, she's used to me so she asked
me what I want from England.

Well, I've gone on line to see what sorts of things
might be available that are transportable and she would
have no trouble bringing back. To tell the truth most
of the foods I'd like to try are fresh, not canned or
packaged. It's very hard thinking of anything sort of
packaged food that I would want, and most of them are
actually available here anyway, in specialty shops.

Anyway, so far I have thought of:

Tate & Lyle's Golden Syrup

Cadbury chocolate or other candies

Heinz Baked Beans (as a sort of lark as I'm curious
about British "beans on toast" and I understand the British
version of Heinz baked beans is different from ours)

haggis (I saw that there's a canned on available though don't know
if it's any good and since my boss is a vegetarian she might
not want to get me that)

clotted cream (not sure if this is practical - I've seen bottled
ones, but do they still need to be kept refrigerater?).

Does anyone have any suggestions. I want something that's
pretty unique to Britain and is really good (well, with the
exception of the haggis and bake beans ;-))

Kate

--
As her to go to the Harrods Food Hall, and get you some Harrods'
Cumberland Sauce and Harrods' Mind Sauce, both for lamb. If you don't like
lamb, any other Harrods brand condiment is always interesting to try. If
she's into food, Fortnum and Mason is also a mandatory visit for the same
kind of thing.

Kent

sueb said:

If you could bring back a London curry......

Susan B.

Oh gawd..wouldn't that be fabulous? Best damn curry meal I've ever had
was in London... <sigh>