I think I have mentioned previously that it is the weird things about England that this English Girl misses the most. However since moving to Los Angeles I have been actually amazed by some of things that you just cannot get in this country. It's not just quirky English stuff, but there are some things lacking and I just don't understand. For example orange squash in fact any squash be it lemon blackcurrant (mmm Ribena....) or even mixed fruit. It's just not available here.
Huge cartons of concentrate - check. Powder you mix with water in the realm of Tang (creates something like squash but not really and they don't have any normal flavors) - check! Vats of Iced Tea - check. But good old orange or lemon squash which you mix the requisite parts with water - nada. The question really is how can the mum's of America go without it - admittedly the nutritional benefits (or after effects) of all the E numbers consumed by children of the Generation Y is still likely under scrutiny by some European scientists somewhere but then again that's another story.
This English Girl just can't recall a birthday party, school race day or day of my life in England where you couldn't get an orange squash if you wanted one. Now don't feel too sorry for me as all is not completely bleak here as you can obtain (stashed next to the tequila in US supermarket chains) Rose's lime cordial. Although the checkout girl in the local Ralph's probably thinks I probably make the weakest margarita's considering my purchasing regularity of a bottle most weeks.
To me this is one grocery item's unavailability that makes no sense - the ease of making a soft drink, the relative inexpensiveness - all would seem to be an easy marketing play here in the US of A - but sadly no. However, all may be forgiven since this is the country of the invention of the Tide pen - which is yet to arrive on UK shore and which is something I now cannot live without. Somehow this English Girl needs to work out how to start an import business as I know for sure that this English Girl's friends back home would love them to bits.
Of course they would be especially useful for getting those spots of Ribena off a white top!
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ReplyDeleteTry going to Indian Food Markets. LA is full of them. Mediterranean markets may have what you crave as well. I live in the buckle of the Bible Belt (Memphis, TN) and I have a bottle of Ribena, Marmite, a stash of PG Tips, Heinz Baked Beans, and Salad Cream. You may even try a chain here in the states known as World Market. I gave a can of Spotted Dick from there to a friend from Mississippi. THERE ARE OPTIONS. Google English or British Food online and you'll come up with options to English up your kitchen in no time! By the way, Hunt's makes the best stewed tomatos in the US if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Texan living in Memphis, TN. I lived in England in the 90's and just really like the food. Full stop.
Consider this link a gift from a Anglo-Tejano.
http://www.britishfoodshop.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes&sppp=150
:)
Marvin
www.facebook.com/marvin.paul.skinner
Don't know what part of LA you are in, but my company supplies stores with British Food and Beverages all over Los Angeles, California, and the rest of the States... the Kings Head Shop in Santa Monica has pretty much everything British to eat and drink in it... same as and branch of India Sweets & spices that are dotted around LA, and the African Hut in Irvine, repping for the OC...
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