Finding British Food in an American Grocery Store

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

What price surprised YOU the most?

[@Poliss95]

I'd say Jaffa cakes Tesco's own brand are 48p per 100 grm. Marmite. The $7.49 they're paying to get you to take it away is nowhere near enough. Give me $179.49 and I might consider it. 😁 Although the price that really shocked me wasn't anything you showed, but the £2.00 they were charging for Yorkshire puddings in Iceland. I left them in the freezer.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@Poliss95 better to make your own!

[@Poliss95]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I'm not sure if I'll have the time There's so many other things that have to be ready all at once.

[@GENerationXplorers]

The shortbread is super over priced compared to here but Im guessing it does vary even across the UK..

[@griswald7156]

The price of HP sauce surprises me in the UK…and not in a nice way…it’s horrendous in the US…it’s not even made in Birmingham anymore…it’s from the Netherlands..

[@what_im_eatin_uk]

A friendly warning some of those UK products in world market are from other countries and some are the American Cadbury. Those fingers for example would never say cookies on them in the UK as they are not what us Brits call a cookie

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh, good catch! You have an Eagle eye! And yes, you are absolutely right. Some of the Cadbury chocolate bars were actually American made. But some of them were imported. I discovered the trick was looking at the back panel to see if they had stickers over the nutrition facts 😉

[@MatthewBrannigan]

What I find interesting is that Hershey only has a contract to make Cadbury candy bars, not cookies, so US Cadbury branded cookies, such as Fingers, are genuine Cadbury/Mondelez, very likely made at their factory in Hamilton, ON.

[@what_im_eatin_uk]

@@MagentaOtterTravels yes if they have the US style nutrition facts that can also be an indication it's made for the US and may not be the same recipe.

[@what_im_eatin_uk]

@@MatthewBrannigan yes and also likely a different recipe. Cadbury made in South Africa and Australia is made different to Cadbury in the UK for example

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@MatthewBrannigan that is very interesting!

[@john_smith1471]

@9:50 Your suspicion about Cadbury branded chocolate being made in Pennsylvania appears correct, the inter web states : The Hershey Company acquired the license to manufacture and market CADBURY products in the US in 1988. The Hershey facility in Hershey, Pennsylvania, US.

[@gerrymccartney3561]

That was fun. I would pay some of those high prices if I lived in the states as an ex-pat and was desperate for a taste of home. Last Christmas, I bought a voucher from a New York store that specialised in British delacacies and sent it to my niece in Minnesota who was missing British grub but would never have paid their high prices. Went down a treat as we say. Have a great Christmas.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That was very thoughtful of you! Yes, last year Ian's father in Oregon was craving a proper Christmas cake with royal icing. We paid a huge price to have one sent to him 💖

[@gerrymccartney3561]

@@MagentaOtterTravels That was equally thoughtful of Ian and you.

[@unitedkingdomoffiveeyes9765]

If you haven't already, York, Beverly, Harrogate, Cheshire are loverly places to visit. Beverley has a big cathedral called the minster worth checking out.

[@08emily89]

Yorkshire pudding mix is exactly the same as British pancake mix! Which is why they’re labelled as both on this box. Our pancakes aren’t thick and don’t rise like USA pancakes though. They’re closer to french crepes but a bit thicker

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, I agree. And because the batter (for both) is just eggs and flour and milk with a bit of flour ... seems unnecessary to buy a mix ;-)

[@08emily89]

Oh you’re right- absolutely a waste of money!

[@forthedisenfranchised4366]

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

We had a lovely Christmas with family and friends. We hope you did too! Best wishes to you for the new year!! XX Dara and Ian

[@WITYTRAVELS]

We relish each time one of your videos comes out. When it's been too long, it's quite a pickle.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Very impressive condiment puns!

[@worldsecretrecipes]

Nice sharing❤❤❤❤

[@WITYTRAVELS]

Love Tim Tams! What a selection!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I was amazed at all the varieties they had!

[@shanewaterman4125]

Hi Dara - you've been to Leeds Castle???? Thats 3 miles from me!!!! 😲 Look forward to your video on that. Kent Crisps: bit of background for you... the reason for the Oyster and Vinegar flavour - and the photo of the besch huts on the bag - is that it ties in with the north coast of Kent, specifically Whitstable to Herne Bay. This is an area with substantial Oyster beds right by the beaches. Whitstable holds an annual Oyster Festival in, i think, August. On the harbour side, there are huts selling fresh seafood and specially Oysters and it's a bit of a Kent/London day trippers 'thing' to put Vinegar on them, rather than lemon juice. The photo on the bag is the beach huts at Tankerton, which is the coastal town right next to Whitstable. Not too bad a price for them in the US, btw. I've seen them at nearly that price, allowing for the exchange rate, in upmarket food outlets in the UK. Keep em coming..... and Happy Christmas!!! 🎅🎄🎅🎄❤️

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks so much, Shane! I'll have to give those oyster crisps a go. Even though I will NOT eat a real oyster LOL! I am very anxious to get my vlogs of Kent and Sussex published... but I have to survive this excruciating editing job on my Colmar video first. Hopefully I'll get to Kent in January... so please stay tuned! Happy New Year! Dara

[@JohnandCaraRetiredTravellers]

What fun finds! However, I think a quick flight to the UK could save us a bundle. 😂. Fun video thanks for taking us shopping. Merry Christmas to you, Ian and your family. ~Cara ❤️

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks so much, Cara!

[@john_smith1471]

Very interesting video, one thing that stands out different even on the factory printed labels is that ounces is shown prominently and grammes is in brackets, I can’t remember when imperial measures were discontinued on Britain’s food labels, on Marmite I didn’t notice the royal warrant, but I did on other products.

[@lynnejamieson2063]

Some things may be produced in UK factories, to UK recipes but for a specific foreign market. I used to work for a very well known producer of canned desserts and I remember when I first started there there was a production run for a country outside of the UK (I honestly can’t remember which) but they had slightly altered labels for the cans. So there is a chance some companies may use different packaging, the real tell would be on the back where it would state where it was produced, as I think that would be a legally required piece of information in case of a recall or product issue.

[@ghtqwrrt871]

The Drivers pickled onions are really good. Highly recommended.

[@Beejay950]

I bought a jar of ASDA pickled onions last week in the local deli. 198 PHP, about 2.81 GBP or 3.57 USD for 440g. So, if you want cheaper pickled onions, come to the Philippines. 🙂🧅

[@stonkr]

Batter's easy enough to make from scratch, but I can highly recommend the Goldenfry gravy granules. Having used Bisto Best for years, inflation resulting in a family taste test had Goldenfry level-pegging at a fraction of the price and no clumping like the powdery Bisto threatens. I get mine from Asda but they're often sold out, so must be popular.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh, I'll have to look for Goldenfry gravy granules! Thanks for the tip! I love brown gravy on Yorkshire Puddings! ;-)

[@RichardWells1]

Good heavens! You virtually need a mortgage to buy a tiddly jar of Marmite! (£2.95 for double the size 250g here in B&M or £3.25 in Sainsbury's). But what a cornucopia of British consumables! Almost worth starting your own importing service! 😜Loved the tour of the posh supermarkets; as I do the Saturday shopping, you'd find me in the olives aisle! Biggest surprise was the price of baked beans...considering haricot beans come from north America! Thanks for a fascinating retail experience.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That is surprising! I didn't realise haricot beans came from North America! And of course, we don't call them haricot beans... 🤣

[@jelkel25]

Up in Canada you used to get Marks and Spencers in the bigger cities but I think they've shut down now. We used to get a few packs of Jaffa Cakes and other sweet things maybe twice a year and relatives would send selection boxes at Christmas, we were good with that. You get the odd item that is a part of Canadian culture like HP or Heinz 57 Sauce and vinegar on the fries so that was a nice bonus but like you said, there's lots of local stuff to eat.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Canada seems to have amazing international cuisine... so I'm sure you are spoilt for choice! Here in the US the Target stores have started carrying M&S stuff... very interesting!

[@chrisamies2141]

Samuel Smith is fairly well known, mostly as being a smallish pub chain who only sell their own products. Their pubs are mostly in London and the North of England but there is one in Cheltenham (in Montpellier).

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Interesting! Have you had any of those beers? The flavours looked a bit unusual! Of course, I'm not as good about noticing pubs and what beers they serve, since I'm not a drinker 😉... though I do always notice if a pub has otter bitter or otter ale on tap! 🦦💖

[@andyrjs]

​@@MagentaOtterTravelsSam Smith also ban the use of mobile phones, iPads and swearing in their pubs.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@andyrjs that's interesting!

[@chrisamies2141]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I think I've had a couple of the bottled beers at some time. There are better pubs and with a wider range of drinks (alcoholic and not) though.

[@carolineskipper6976]

Really interesting - including what products are chosen for importing. I am totally with you on choosing to buy local produce in whichever country you are in, rather than buying expensive imports (not that I am an expat anywhere- but it makes sense to me!)

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, I find it interesting what "makes the cut" for importing and offering in the US! It totally makes sense to buy things made locally, but I understand some expats craving things from home. I tried to not have any American peanut butter when I lived overseas last year for 5 months... but when I saw Skippy PB in my local Tesco I caved in! haha

[@christianoliver3572]

I buy the shortbread scotty dogs every time I go to World Market.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Honestly, they are kind of too adorable to resist!

[@ItsArtByDonna]

I love seeing all the British foods...very interesting Dara...thanks for letting me know about the Christmas Pudding...I will let you know how it goes! Merry Christmas!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for joining the premiere! I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! I think it's really important to enjoy British puddings with a sauce like custard, cream, or some people recommend brandy sauce with a Christmas pudding...

[@Poliss95]

Be-Ro Pancakes: 5-ozs flour, quarter tspn salt, one egg and half pint of milk, 2-ozs lard or other fat. Yorkshire Pudding. Same batter as Be-Ro pancakes.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

As you know, I love a lot of British foods. But when it comes to pancakes, I would rather have fluffy American pancakes or French crêpes. Don't hate me!

[@Poliss95]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I've never made pancakes before. Somebody else has always made them for me so I don't know what was in them.

[@littleannie390]

Traditional British pancakes (like mum used to make on pancake day) and Crepes are more or less the same thing. Crepes are usually slightly thinner otherwise they have similar ingredients. American style pancakes have sugar and baking powder added to make them fluffier. Yorkshire pudding batter is a type of pancake batter that is cooked in hot fat in the oven to make it rise and harden, if you fried it in a pan in butter it would come out like a pancake. When I was young we only ever ate pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, usually sprinkled with orange or lemon juice and sugar, but I do love crepes suzette.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@littleannie390 yes, they are all good!!!

[@bobbye8071]

Hi chicken, here's an idea for the next time your in the UK. Do a. Video review of the farm shop service station on the M5 at. Cheltenham. You could show all the types of bread etc. Merry Christmas. Rob xx

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Hiya! I hope you had a nice Christmas! I'm just catching up on comments. Ian and I did do a video about the Gloucester Services stop on the motorway a while back. You can check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2rLlJ6rpdiXZ6csi=GfF_HmmS03OZvUqV

[@davidlarned4315]

I live on the eastern part of the Lone Star state and my experience of finding British food products is similar to yours though more limited. World Market has the best selection but I still have to order Marmite online...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Good think I hate Marmite... saves me a bundle! LOL Seriously, it's nice to see that Bisto is available here in Texas. I brought back 2 packs after my first summer living in England.

[@TravelingTramps]

Digestives? Now that sounds appealing! No need though. Drink Metamucil every morning. 🤣🤣Even the fig relish on your burger would do the trick. I do love olives though and it looks like you found the "Holy Grail!" We enjoyed the somewhat soggy shopping trip, Dara and Ian. You know it's funny. We just arrived back here in the Arizona Desert yesterday in the late afternoon. First rain we saw on the entire 2 week excursion! Just not supposed to happen much here in the desert.

[@stuartauld3193]

Digestives are just biscuits, sorry cookies. Nothing to do with your digestive system.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Don't worry, Digestives are not meant to be the Raisin Bran or Metamucil of cookies! It's just like Graham Crackers... they were originally thought to be really healthy and great for digestion. But now they are, like Digestives, just regular crackers/biscuits/cookies. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family, Dave and Kathy!

[@tiggerwood8899]

Duers thick cut seville orange marmalade is the best.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh yes, I've heard it is great!

[@IamaDutch-Kiwi]

Good selection Dara, for ex-pats and Angophiles. No need to be homesick for those items. Happy Holidays.🧑‍🎄🎄🇳🇱🙋‍♀🇳🇿

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for joining the premiere 😍

[@garylancaster8612]

I know you don't drink but chocolate stout is delicious winter beer! It's very dark like Guinness and has a very complex flavour.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I'm always curious about things even if I don't consume them. Sounds interesting. But you can have my share ;-)

[@chavaayalah6475]

I paid $14 for an 80 count box of Yorkshire Gold tea at a local “Brit market”. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I needed my tea in that moment but from now on I’ll get from post. In Texas too but Houston.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Hello! Nice to hear from a fellow "Texan" ;-)

[@paulguise698]

Dick Turpin wore a mask

[@freddiemac1438]

So you have a massive selection including done quite rarely found stuff even in the uk/ it must sell or the retailers wouldn’t stock it!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

True! And that Walkers shortbread must be REALLY popular because there was a ton of it in the store!!!

[@kayfountain6261]

Smiths Nut Brown! So hard to find even in Yorkshire. Its delicious, smoothly and velvety. The Canadian chocolate looks rather interesting.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That's admirable that a store in Texas carries such an obscure yet delicious beer! Yes, I thought those Canadian Cadbury bars sounded yummy !!

[@GENerationXplorers]

Kroger, don’t recall ever visiting one of those! Goldenfry? No not heard of that. Yikes i love hp sauce but not that much! Mmm, love olives. Other than the Stilton, Wensleydale and Gloucester ive not heard of a lot of those cheeses. Good selection of teas! Oyster crisps? Yikes! Is this all the British stuff that isn’t selling well here so they export it? 🧐 mmm made by Hershey! Great selection of chocs. Now when will our supermarkets stock kisses? Thank goodness we finally have Reece’s. Nice selection of preserves too. All a bit pricey but understandable. Mmm Branston pickle id pay for that! Never seen the canned gravy!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

If you live in Yorkshire and haven't heard of Goldenfry then it can't be any good!! That canned gravy looked very unusual, but it could be good? Not sure I'll spring for the cost to try it though... DO NOT tell me you like Hershey Kisses. They are abominable chocolate!!! But I agree that Reese's is yummy. Ian.... er I mean Santa... always brings me Reese's peanut butter trees in my Christmas stocking. My favourite goodie to look forward to on Christmas morning!

[@grahvis]

Goldenfry make sauce and gravy granules, a little cheaper than Bisto.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Do you make your own Yorkshires from scratch? I'm happy to have finally mastered them... though I still am lousy at making scones :-(

[@grahvis]

@@MagentaOtterTravels . I have to confess, I have never made a Yorkshire, I do virtually no baking.

[@PostcardAndAPint]

Ooo you can tell the ones that are imported!!! I don’t think the chocolate digestives would be as our chocolate has an ingredient in it that isn’t allowed in the states - I think!! Hershey chocolate is 🤮. We hope you stocked up on goodies for Christmas. Cheers and have a great Christmas 🍻

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Our house is brimming with homemade treats! Chocolate walnut fudge, chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, English toffee, and a fruit crumble I just finished making... it will be cooked for tonight's Christmas Eve dinner! Merry Christmas to you both! XX

[@AlastairjCarruthers]

Stokes is a great brand, and theirs is the only brown sauce that's better than HP. I notice it was cheaper than the HP too, which it isn't usually - bargain!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I agree! I only just discovered Stokes... I believe on our trip to Kent and Sussex. It is delicious! I'll have to find a place to buy it in Cheltenham for when I stock the refrigerator next May ;-)

[@StephenandAndie]

darn it - missed the premiere. I frequently pick up British and other international goodies at World Market.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

No worries! Yes, world market is a gold mine 👍

[@lynnejamieson2063]

Some of those prices didn’t seem too awful when you take the exchange rate into consideration but some were just astronomical. I have seen those Potts stock cans about, I’ve never actually used them though, I think it might just be a way to preserve a fresh stock for longer and in an easily recyclable container…which is obviously a bonus. A wee tip from a Scot to someone brought up in an area founded by Scots. McKay is pronounced mick eye not mi kay, something that is often mispronounced outside of Scotland…probably as a result of ‘The Great Vowel Shift’ that England had but Scotland didn’t. I even have to be bilingual with my surname as it is pronounced jamie son in England but jimmy son in Scotland 😊

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

"The Great Vowel Shift"... that's funny! I'm certain that I will mispronounce a fair few things when we go visit Scotland again this summer. I can't wait!! As for Mackay's jam... I know people in the US with the first name of McKay and so I have the habit of saying it the American way ;-) BTW, do you like the show Shetland? Or do the accents drive you bonkers because they don't sound legit? I'm always curious!

[@lynnejamieson2063]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I’ve honestly not got around to watching Shetland, it’s on my list but I keep forgetting about it. I know one of my brother’s watches it and he hasn’t mentioned anything about the accent but then we’re not from anywhere near there, so as long as it’s a pretty genuine sounding Scottish accent in general, I doubt it will annoy. Though I do find I often get slightly irritated by a lot of Scottish actors doing a Scottish accent in programmes that are made for the UK and worldwide markets in general as they have to adjust their accents and speech patterns to be properly understood…and I end up feeling that they either sound a bit wooden or like a non native doing the accent.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@lynnejamieson2063 I thoroughly enjoy Shetland! It is very well done! I think the acting is great. It seems like they have hired a lot of Scottish actors, some of whom are relatively local

[@lynnejamieson2063]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I will get around to it one day...hopefully in the not too distant future. Anyhoo Happy New Year and Lang May Yer Lum Reek. (Long May Your Chimney Smoke...it's just a traditional thing to say at New Year in Scotland and wishes you health and warmth for the coming year)

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@lynnejamieson2063 Happy Hogmanay! 🎆❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@gerrymccartney3561]

Rattlesnake Cheese must have quite a bite to it. That is a fantastic cheese and olive delicatessen counter. I would happily shop there.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I'm certain the rattlesnake cheese has a bite to it! I do love olives, and that is a great place to get them! 👍

[@lizbignell7813]

They must have a massive turn over of olives, although l would prefer an apple turnover, otherwise there would be a lot of waste.

[@Poliss95]

In Finland on Christmas Day they have rice porridge for breakfast. One bowl will have a blanched almond inside and whoever gets it will have good luck. They have a sauce made from whipped cream, vinegar and beetroot juice which turns it into a magenta colour. 😁😁

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Wait a minute, they are having porridge for breakfast and putting vinegar on it? That sounds a little strange...

[@Poliss95]

@@MagentaOtterTravels No, no. I was unclear. The sauce comes later. It goes with potato, carrot or beetroot casseroles. I don't think I'd like the traditional Finnish Christmas dinner, apart from the vihreät kuulat (gummy sweets). they also have Jaffa cakes with a green vihreät kuulat filling. 😁

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@Poliss95 the potato carrot and beetroot casserole sounds good! Especially if it has cheese in it 😉

[@Poliss95]

@@MagentaOtterTravels They're three separate casseroles.

[@weedle30]

Please let me put your mind at rest and let your tastebuds experience a crisp gawjjusness! Those Kent crisps oyster n vinegar are really really REALLY nice! I LIVE in Kent and hadn’t seen or heard of them before! But this Summer, we paid a visit to Howlett’s Wildlife Park - the gorilla sanctuary and animal park owned by the Aspinall family - stopped off for a cuppa and a snack, as you do, and I picked up the Kent crisps to try them out - as I loved the pictures on the front! Plumped for the oyster vinegar flavour and tucked in - wow! Soooooo yummy! Give them a try next time! (I can order them online ….. hmmm…… how many packets should I buy?…) 😂

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Haha, thank you so much for the enthusiastic review! I shall have to give them a try! I spent 2 years of my life managing the Lay's potato chips business (Walkers in the UK) so I have a keen interest in potato crisps. My favourite British crisps are Tyrrell's from Herefordshire, but I'm happy to try the Kent Crisps! Speaking of which, we had a LUVERLY holiday to Kent and Sussex last July. I hope to finally publish the vlogs of that trip in the next several weeks... so please stay tuned! XX Dara

[@hongk0ngfu3y]

70 grams flour, 100ml milk, 2 medium eggs. whisk into a batter, add Salt and pepper and your ready to go. If you want pancake mix then skip the salt n pepper 👍

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Simples! So don't pay $4!

[@griswald7156]

The stokes ketchup is nice ,i like it better than Heinz…but you need a spoon to get it out of the bottle..it’s pricey in England but i like it as a treat from Waitrose..

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I like their brown sauce... very tasty!

[@griswald7156]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I haven’t seen Stokes brown yet but it’s now on my radar..I haven’t seen their jams etc here yet….either.. I’ve only seen their tomaydo soss in Waitrose…own brand soss’s are usually dire…ive been searching for a pleasant sauce for a long day now..

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@griswald7156 yes, something happened to ketchup in Britain in the last couple years! Heinz ketchup is still good, but if you get the unbranded stuff at a random café sometimes it's rather translucent and pink coloured. I'm a fan of magenta, but beware of magenta ketchup! It seems like it doesn't have much tomato in it!😳 You really need to try the Stokes brown sauce!

[@griswald7156]

@@MagentaOtterTravels ive bought lots of own brand sauces and theyre awful,i usually chuck them after a few applications.. A cheapo sauce just isn’t worth the aggravation…what does annoy me in cafes is they don’t refrigerate the sauce overnight, And ive seen them decanting into fuller bottles as the cafe is winding up for the day,that are really quite old..it turns my stomach,…i think when you’re paying restaurant prices they should grace the table with a carefully stored and rotated bottle.. You’d think if they were going to decant into old bottles they would be discreet about it ! Sell by date ?Whats that ?

[@griswald7156]

@@MagentaOtterTravels since HP went Dutch,a few years ago..the premier British sauce has yet to be decided…Stokes is the best candidate for the honour in my mind..

[@jeanlongsden1696]

the original Jaffa Cakes are made by McVitie's, but there are dozens of other brands that make them too. most supermarkets do their own home brand. did they have the Kinder Bars marked up as German? as they are an Italian company.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oooooh thank you for explaining that! I didn't realise that Jaffa was not a brand name! You're right... those were Jacobs not McVities

[@jeanlongsden1696]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Jaffa is the type of orange. which is why I cant understand why they make different flavoured ones and still call them Jaffa Cake. BTW .... if you want to make a nice side dish for Christmas. mix sprouts with bacon lardons, sliced chestnuts and melt some Stilton cheese on top.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@jeanlongsden1696 that sounds delicious! I actually really do like sprouts if they are cooked well

[@charlesneal68]

​@@MagentaOtterTravels "Jaffa cakes" is a brand name, but McVitties (who invented them) failed to register it so anyone can make them. There was a taste test in the paper a year or two ago and Lidl's came out best as they have real orange juice in them. They actually are tastier than genuine McVittie's! And half the price... I've never seen Jacobs Jaffa cakes in the UK, they look like export-only.

[@The_Brit_Girls]

Hi Dara! The olive and cheese deli counters looked very impressive 👍Where we live in Arizona, you're lucky if you find ANY of these products - except occasionally Heinz Baked Beans. Completely opposite to your store. Btw, the price of one tin is currently a whopping $6.59!! 😱 I would love to be able to find British chocolate...sigh. Oh, we do have Walker's Shortbread. I could not find Lemon Curd anywhere. You must be so relieved that you can get good old Marmite in the States! 😅😂 Merry Christmas, Dara & Ian! ❤🎄✨

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Hi Julie! I'm finally back online after spending the last week with my sons whilst they were visiting. Oh YES, I'm SO relieved to have access locally to all the Marmite I might need! hahaha Happy New Year! XX Dara

[@sharonfive]

The Canadian chocolate looks rather interesting.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I thought so too!

[@TheHikingHermit]

Hi Dara, saw a ton of items I'd not seen for ages and the mark up seems like extortion but I guess they need to import most of them. I don't generally do the snacks food but will have to get some for over Christmas. Even a grinch like me needs a treat sometimes 🤭 Merry Christmas...now I will have to get some lions bars 👍Paul

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Well Grinch I hope you have a Happy Christmas and aren't TOO much of a hermit! Enjoy that Lion Bar, Paul!

[@TheHikingHermit]

@@MagentaOtterTravels just bought some lion bars and will be at the pub over Xmas. Gets me out my cave. Oh and running a 5k parkrun tomorrow and Xmas morning with hundreds of other people. I do mingle...sometimes. Merry Christmas Dara

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@TheHikingHermit so good to hear that you are getting out of your cave! I heard another KZbin Friend say that she is running a 5K on Christmas morning. I didn't know that was a thing!😳

[@TheHikingHermit]

@@MagentaOtterTravels oh yeah I run a 5k parkrun every Saturday morning plus special ones on Christmas and New Years Day. They have them in parks in 20 different countries around the world. I actually tour different ones. Recently did 2 in Munich, 1 in Salzburg and 1 in Amsterdam but have also done them in Canada, Poland, Norway. Ireland and of course the UK. Met many friends thro it. I call myself a parkrun saddo 🤣

[@Tom-xy9yy]

I live in Calcutta, India. I can easily do without almost all that stuff, with the grand exception of Marmite. You can get it here - sometimes. There are just one or two shops that sell it and you have to be lucky if they have it in stock - usually two or three times a year. Yesterday I went to one of those little shops to try my luck. The shop is tucked away in the middle of a big market (and if you know anything about Indian markets, you'll understand), next to the famous Nahoum's bakery where an hour-long line snaked its ponderous way along the narrow passageway outside, waiting to buy one of their Christmas fruit cakes. Nahoum's is probably the only shop on earth that is owned by Jews, whose principal seasonal product is most associated with a Christian festival, is baked by Muslims and sold mainly to Hindus. There was no such line outside the shop that (intermittently) sold Marmite. But sadly, some little toad had bought all twelve of them the day before. Come back next week, said the owner. Does that mean come back in April, I asked? He thought about it for a moment, then said yes. Dara and Ian, you just don't know how lucky you are to have Marmite and fruitcake so readily available. ;-)

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That is an amazing story! I feel guilty that I have fruitcake and marmite so easily accessible, yet I'm not buying either of them because I don't like them! I would send you some if it wouldn't cost $200! Lol

[@Tom-xy9yy]

@@MagentaOtterTravels That's such a kind thing to say! Please don't worry about it. I have a supply to last a month or two and for the remaining time, culinary abstinence is said to enhance spiritual health. By the way, Marmite is brilliant in gravy. Just add a small dollop into it while cooking and it really adds something to the gravy without imparting the Marmite taste that so many people can't stand. Happy Christmas to you both.

[@john_smith1471]

I assume the prices we were shown still require tax to be added at the checkout? or are American supermarket food purchases exempt from tax?

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

The candy/chocolate would be taxed, but the baked goods (cakes, tarts) and all the other "groceries" would not have tax. The most naughty stuff gets taxed! LOL

[@ShaneNixonFamily]

Oh wow, Tim Tams and Vegemite too. Just for the record, your Tim Tams are $6.99, ours are $2.40 USD. 220g of Vegemite is the equivalent of USD$3.40 so 10 bucks is just, wow! 😂 All the UK stuff is really expensive too. We get most of it as well but it certainly isn't what you might have to pay - probably 20 to 30% cheaper than the US. Still more than the UK though. I think our HP is USD$4.40, but that is the the 400 ml bottle and not the 250. I don't know if I've mentioned it before but I agree, the UK Cadburys is very good. I think the NZ is best and I think ours isn't too bad. I think it all comes down to the quality of the milk and the type of sugar. Most places that aren't the US use real sugar and that tastes different. I am yet to try American Cadburys but I have tried the Kenyan and that was my least favourite so far. Another fascinating one Dara.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family, Shane! Do NOT try American Cadburys. It's a waste of calories... and very disappointing. Interesting that NZ has the best Cadbury's! I do agree that the quality of milk makes SO much difference to many things... including chocolate. Gotta say I love me some Alpine milk chocolate too ;-)

[@ShaneNixonFamily]

@@MagentaOtterTravels my brother from Germany turned up today and brought me my favourite chocolates from Austria... Mozartkugeln. Mozart's balls. I told him for that he can stay as long as he wants 😂

[@ShaneNixonFamily]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and got to over indulge with all the best things Christmas has to offer 🎄🧑‍🎄🥳

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@ShaneNixonFamily SO MUCH overindulgence! Before my sons flew back to their respective homes on Saturday we did a lot of cooking! Trent and I had a chili cook off one night with super yummy cornbread... and the next night Weston made amazing Parmesan risotto. The previous several days we had been eating the fudge and peanut butter bars I had made, along with all the candy from our stockings !! And now I'm on the New Year's diet! Lol

[@ShaneNixonFamily]

@@MagentaOtterTravels note to self, teach kids to cook 😂

[@StephenandAndie]

I always spend way too much on the chocolate goodies at World Market. I can’t resist! (I also love some of the Asian and German foods).

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, that's where I've always bought stollen. Although this year I discovered Aldi, which probably has even better stollen at a much lower price! Speaking of German Christmas treats, one of these years I'm going to make a video showing how my family always made marzipan fruits and vegetables. That was our most cherished German Christmas tradition 💖🎄

[@StephenandAndie]

@@MagentaOtterTravels my babcia (Polish grandma) used to make those!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@StephenandAndie that's awesome! I never knew anyone else that made them! If you have any photos, email or text them to me! i'd love to see

[@rtalbot87]

Yorkshire Pub mix for pancakes. Works fine because you don't roast it !

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Are the pancakes the really thin British kind? That are kind of like crêpes?

[@rtalbot87]

Yes, but not quite as thin as crepes. Much thinner than a Scottish pancake. They are dry fried, like a crepe, sweetened after cooking to taste with castor sugar, or honey, and then a little lemon juice added to taste. Roll cut and enjoy !@@MagentaOtterTravels

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@rtalbot87 i've never been in Britain for pancake day! 😉

[@Poliss95]

@@MagentaOtterTravels So you've never tossed a pancake into the air and had it stick to the ceiling? 😁😁

[@rtalbot87]

Oh you must watch a Pancake Race. British eccentricity at its best.@@MagentaOtterTravels

[@beverleyringe7014]

I noticed the mcvities chocolate digestive were not British, they had the American ingredients label on, so some of that food is not real British import.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, they are tricking us with some of those products!! ;-)

[@davefrench3608]

The moral here is only eat British food in Britain. And it works the other way round too. What a price!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That is absolutely how I live my life! I have never bought clotted cream or Branston pickle in the US. I did finally break down and buy peanut butter in England this year, though... 😫

[@blackvulcan100]

And on those prices there will be the tax added at the check out. Correct me if I am wrong, only in America.

[@andyrjs]

I think Dara said in one of her other videos that there was no sales tax on food in Texas (I'm sure she will correct me if I'm wrong😀).

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I guess the government believes the chocolates are a "sin" so they get a tax! The other groceries have no sales tax.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

ok this be streaming at 3am Australian Eastern daylight saving time but i will watch the video sometime today marmite i have tasted it years ago and i remember it has a stronger taste than australias own vegimite all the best

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Hopefully you will be sound asleep when this premieres!

[@misolgit69]

Breaking News McVities have released a new biscuit in a limited production run pre -Christmas full production after it's, wait for it.....a White Chocolate Digestive atb Bill

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

No no no... white chocolate is not REAL chocolate!

[@misolgit69]

@MagentaOtterTravels I did worry it might be a Marmite moment in terms if Chocolate preferences

[@what_im_eatin_uk]

They have been out for a few months now. Sadly they are not very good :-( white chocolate low quality and is lost completely against the digestive flavour

[@griswald7156]

The Milky bars are on the Digestives..

[@lawrenceglaister21]

@@MagentaOtterTravels oh yes it is if it's a Magnum lol

[@gerrymccartney3561]

That 125g jar of Marmite is £2.30 from Amazon UK, but, as you know, I would not pay £2.30 for it, let alone $7.49 (£5.89).

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, it's some pretty pricey fermented yeast to scum! Lol 🤣

[@grahvis]

@@MagentaOtterTravels . My doctor has put me on a low potassium diet and unfortunately Marmite is on the naughty step. Still it's not all bad, so are brussel sprouts.

[@annefricker8474]

Didn’t know you could get Yorkshire mix. It’s just flour egg and milk.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I know... doesn't seem worth it to buy a mix! SO easy to make from scratch ;-)

[@annefricker8474]

No never seen HP gravy in a tin either.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I was surprised!

[@griswald7156]

Where is the welsh stuff….hedgehog crisps etc whisky etc..jellied eels..

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

The only Welsh stuff we saw was the mince pies!

[@griswald7156]

@@MagentaOtterTravels well im Surprised Brains Welsh beer isn’t transported…its all over Wales…and those Flat Welsh cakes are a big hit in Angleterre..you can always get a minky Cake at christmas but a Welsh cake is a pleasant find.

[@rupertorgan7749]

I thought I was getting ripped off with the British products sold in Finnish supermarkets, particularly post-Brexit, but those prices in Texas are just insane and I suspect a big rip-off where Cadbury's chocolate made by Hershey's is concerned. Next time you go down the international aisle, look out for Fazer chocolate from Finland. It's the best chocolate in the world that nobody outside of the Nordic countries has ever heard of.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

You are right! I've never heard of it! Will have to keep an eye out ;-) Thanks for your comment! Dara

[@comicmania2008]

WOW! So expensive! I wish I could send the USA some food, I'm sure I could send it cheaper than those prices.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Unfortunately shipping and transportation are crazy expensive too... But yes it seems insane how pricey this stuff is!

[@AnyoneForToast]

That olive selection was impressive. That cheese selection was more impressive. My wallet has gone to take a long rest in a darkened room...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, I am proud of myself for not buying any of those British cheeses for $23 a pound! I feel very victorious that I was able to get some imported English cheeses a few weeks ago in Aldi before they were sold out!

[@griswald7156]

Chocolate bulletin….in the UK…there is anew kid on the chocolate block…”Tony’s ”Chocolonely”. It looks expensive so ive avoided it for a couple of years now, but it’s a winner !…its Belgian chocolate with a conscience….its tackling slavery in the chocolate industry…if you like Cadbury’s you’ll love this offering..

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep an eye out ;-)

[@griswald7156]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Tony’s Chocolonely record their employees BMI and give them bonusai for staying the same weight..

[@andyrjs]

Taylor's of Harrogate is the parent company of Yorkshire Tea Dara. Also Betty's tea rooms (I know you weren't too impressed with Betty's). If you're asking I'm a Yorkshire Gold man when it comes to my tea. I take it you and Ian just stocked up on marmite😂

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I didn't know that Taylors and Yorkshire Tea and Betty's were all owned by the same company... so interesting! We found Yorkshire Gold in Texas! And no... I didn't buy that OR the Marmite! haha

[@daveduvergier3412]

9 dollars for Brown sauce? I'd pay that, considering how essential it is to accompany a fry-up plus how long a bottle actually lasts

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Have you had the Stokes brown sauce? I only discovered it last summer and it's quite delicious!

[@gj1234567899999]

I’ve been to several krogers and never seen a British section…

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

In what state? I definitely would have overlooked this British section! I searched up marmite to find out what aisle it was on, and then found the British section. But I have literally shopped that store thousands of times and never seen this section before!!

[@gj1234567899999]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I’ve been to a lot of krogers in Illinois, Ohio and haven’t seen these products. Well, it’s been a few years since I live in Missouri now and krogers are not common here. So maybe this is a recent thing? 🤔

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@gj1234567899999 I think Kroger's in other parts of the country do not have a British section. The Walmarts here in Texas do not. Only imported Mexican foods and Asian foods.

[@potdog1000]

if marmite was free it'd still be too expensive for me lol, loving the comparison, whenever i go abroad i also go "native" lol

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Haha, that sounds like a good plan! I'm pretty much the same way.

[@littledinoboy]

I wonder how many of these are made in the UK for the US market because I have never seen some of these brads ... love Marmite by the way dont hate me for it :0)

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I hate Marmite, but I do NOT hate people who love it ;-) I'm much more open minded than that! haha

[@WITYTRAVELS]

Publix in FL has very similar items in their tiny International section. IAN! Go with Jesus's pick!!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Jesus knows best.

[@wencireone]

So, I'm either gonna love this video or hate it

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

You will LOVE IT! haha

[@what_im_eatin_uk]

I was also going to suggest Jungle Jim's didn't know it was only in Ohio

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I have seen that store in a Lost in the Pond video. Looks like an amazing place! But I don't think I've ever seen one in person.

[@StephenandAndie]

I totally read Jesus (from Christmas) 😂 Ive been away from SoCal too long!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Right?! I guess it's good to think about Jesus at Christmas, but it is a lesson in context 🤣

[@andrewfitzgerald2327]

I imagine the stores do pay wholesale making the profits even higher. Never heard of or seen the gravy in a can in Yorkshire. Any self respecting Yorkshire person would make it themselves. Although l did see frozen mashed potatoes in one place.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I was shocked to see onion gravy in a soda pop can!!

[@jacketrussell]

McKays - pronounced 'Mc - Eyes' 😊

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Ooooh cheers for that! 🩷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@wencireone]

Black gold to some, Black death to others

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

LOL perfect comparison ;-)

[@williamlarge69]

Yous can keep the marmite lmao

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

You can bet I didn't buy any and any of these shops! haha

[@williamlarge69]

@@MagentaOtterTravels prices kruger where shocking for a bad selection and i take you didnt inculde the sales tax lol

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@williamlarge69 yes, it was not a great selection. Probably the only thing that would have had sales tax added would be the chocolate bars.

[@lizbignell7813]

T those prices l bet you wait until you come back here to buy those products. It is odd to see things like the onion gravy that I have never seen here.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, that onion gravy was crazy! Never seen anything like it!

[@jasonjordan1936]

5 dollars for beans my god

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I know right?!

[@paulguise698]

Hiya Dara, You have to be a millionaire to buy things from the British section from a American supermarket, I nearly collapsed how much things cost, if your American you have to watch out for scams saying there British when there not, please be wary of that, I think when Dara comes back to Cheltenham she probably cant believe how cheap things are compared to things in America, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

True! That's why I just wait to buy British groceries when I'm in England ;-) I hope you had a nice Christmas, Choppy!

[@paulguise698]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Hiya Dara, I did have a nice Christmas, me and my family went to Leanne's (my sisters) house and had a nice Christmas day meal

[@philipmason9537]

I’m glad that Marmite is so expensive in the US, hopefully putting off people from buying this embarrassingly foul concoction. Dark chocolate Digestives taste better than the milk chocolate ones I think.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Haha, good point! I thought the Canadian Cadbury bar that was dark chocolate black forest cake flavour sounded interesting!

[@philipmason9537]

@@MagentaOtterTravels 👍

[@annefricker8474]

We don’t say mic vities. We say Mac vities.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I say a lot of things the American way... and some things (like McVities) I don't notice the difference as much as Brits do

[@nickwalters5380]

wtf. Rip off all round.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Moral of the story... don't buy British stuff in the states ;-)

[@unitedkingdomoffiveeyes9765]

If you haven't already, York, Beverly, Harrogate, Cheshire are loverly places to visit. Beverley has a big cathedral called the minster worth checking out.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I have been to York, but not since having my KZbin channel... so I'm excited to return this summer! I do need to explore Cheshire... I know I love the cheese already ;-) I would love to see Beverly, as we do love nice cathedrals! Here is our visit to Harrogate, with some of the best drone footage Ian has filmed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2PEmZyCoaZ9hsk Though I think I like the drone work in this video of Durham CATHEDRAL (speaking of cathedrals we love) just as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6Xdapp6n5eSoMU Happy New Year! Thanks for your comment. Dara