America is known for its diverse and sometimes quirky culinary landscape. While many of these foods are beloved stateside, they often leave foreigners scratching their heads or even gagging. Here’s a list of 17 American foods that are adored in the U.S. but often less appreciated elsewhere.
Peanut Butter
Most Americans have childhood memories linked to peanut butter, especially peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. CNBC reports, “Peanut butter holds a 90% household penetration rate” in the U.S. In countries like France and Italy, peanut butter is seen as overly sweet and mushy, making it a hard sell abroad, where the average person may eat one tablespoon a year.
Root Beer
The root beer float stole the hearts of Americans, and while other sodas can be used as substitutes, nothing truly compares. But root beer is not for everyone; to foreigners, it often tastes medicinal and off-putting; in Germany, for instance, root beer is often compared to mouthwash. Root beer-flavored mouthwash would probably be a bestseller in America, though.
Hershey’s Chocolate
While Hershey’s is an iconic American brand, its chocolate is often criticized for its waxy texture and sour aftertaste. Europeans, accustomed to richer chocolates like Cadbury, Milka, and artisan chocolates, find Hershey’s to be a poor substitute.
Biscuits and Gravy
This southern comfort food consists of soft biscuits smothered in sausage gravy and is necessary on any good breakfast menu. But outside of the southern U.S., people may look at it as wet flour on top of dry flour, and with that perspective, it doesn’t have quite the same appeal.
Sweet Potato Casserole
A Thanksgiving staple, sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows is a dish that confuses many non-Americans and some Americans as well. The combination of sweet and savory flavors, along with the gooey texture, is often too much for foreign palates. Is it a side dish, or was it supposed to be on the dessert table?
Jell-O
Rousselot says, “Gelatin’s global popularity is no surprise, given its combined functionalities and unique properties. Because it is a pure protein, it helps to foam. It can help create aerated confectionery or desserts, stabilizing sauces and meat preparations, or chilled noodle soups and frozen dumplings.” However, the love of the artificial fruit flavors of Jell-O, often mixed with whipped toppings and canned fruits and labeled “salad,” is uniquely American.
American Cheese
The bright yellow slices, straight out of the plastic and “melted” between two slices of white bread, was the grilled cheese of most American childhoods. But good luck finding it in other countries when there are better cheese options available. Most would prefer a delicious artisanal cheese over the plasticky texture and unnatural taste of “American cheese.”
Ranch Dressing
Used on everything from salads to pizza, ranch dressing is a beloved condiment in the U.S. However, its tangy, creamy flavor is often too much for foreigners, who find it odd that Americans put it on so many different foods.
Twinkies
While they’re a nostalgic treat for many Americans, foreigners often find them overly sweet and artificial, with a texture that’s more reminiscent of plastic than cake. Even the great Anthony Bourdain tweeted, “Don’t know that I want my daughter eating them, but sad to hear Twinkies going under. I will miss them.” And while the company ended up keeping Twinkies on the shelf, we are all left with the question of whether we should be eating them.
Chicken and Waffles
This sweet and savory combination is a brunch favorite in the U.S., but many foreigners find it perplexing. The idea of pairing fried chicken with syrup-drenched waffles is a culinary leap that many are unwilling to take.
Pumpkin Pie
There is a cult-like following in the U.S. for pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie, with everything being made in the flavors as soon as the first hint of fall appears. Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving classic, but the idea of using pumpkin in a sweet dessert is strange to many non-Americans who are used to pumpkin as a savory dish.
Boxed Mac and Cheese
You can find versions of cheese and noodles all over the world, especially in Europe, with käsespätzle in Germany, Älplermagronen in Switzerland, and macaroni pie in Scotland; you may even find boxed versions of these on the shelf. However, you’re less likely to find anyone choosing to eat the neon orange of Velveeta or Kraft mac n’ cheese.
Sweet Tea
Another quintessential southern flavor, sweet tea doesn’t find itself appreciated outside of its home states. In countries where tea is typically enjoyed without sweeteners, the syrupy sweetness of American sweet tea can be overwhelming and feel more like having a soda than a tea, which is supposed to be healthy.
Deep-Fried Foods
From deep-fried Oreos to deep-fried butter, Americans love to deep-fry just about anything. This obsession with deep-frying is baffling to many foreigners, who find the concept unhealthy and the results often too greasy. Frying has its place, but Americans may be going over the top.
Corn Dogs
A trip to the fair or the boardwalk would not be complete without corn dogs, but the combination of a hot dog encased in sweet corn batter is baffling to many foreigners. The unexpected sweetness and the concept of deep-frying a hot dog can be quite off-putting. However, the U.S. is not completely alone in its love of deep-fried sausages; Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Australia have their versions as well.
S’mores
The campfire treat is made with graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. While they’re a nostalgic favorite in the U.S., the combination of ingredients and the sticky mess they create are often unappealing to those unfamiliar with the tradition.
Fluffernutter Sandwiches
Made with peanut butter and marshmallow Fluff, a fluffernutter sandwich is a sweet treat that many Americans love. However, the sugary combination is often too much for foreigners, who find the idea of marshmallow spread on bread quite strange. Pass them the Nutella.
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