When you find yourself in a new place, we recommend taking the time to hit the grocery store. For one thing, it is going to save you more money if you prepare your own food. However, it also offers an insight into the local culture. After all, there is nothing quite as telling as the food that people prepare on a daily basis. In Europe, you can glean more knowledge when you check out the grocery stores. Be prepared because you are going to find some surprising things on their shelves…
Do Not Be Surprised To Find These Strange Things At European Grocery Stores
A Variety Of Bread Choices
In the United States, you are going to find a variety of bread in the baked goods section. This has nothing on Germany, however. If you ever feel overwhelmed by the variety of options at home, wait ‘til you go to a German grocery store. This European country has more than 3,000 types of bread to satisfy the needs and wants of the residents. We have no doubt that you will find something for you regardless of how picky you are. You can spend a long time there as you try to pick one to bring home with you.
A Variety Of Bread Choices
Eggs You Do Not Need To Refrigerate
Do you feel like making scrambled eggs while you are on a Euro trip? If this is the case, you should know that the eggs are not the same in this part of the world. In France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, eggs are left unrefrigerated. You should not be worried if you see these products on the shelves. In the United States, people wash eggs to lower the risk of salmonella, but the chickens are vaccinated to stay healthy in Europe. In reality, washing them gets rid of the cuticle. Without the protective layer, eggs need to be in low temperatures to keep them in good condition. The more you know!
Eggs You Do Not Need To Refrigerate
A Jungle Of Ham
When you think of food from Spain, cured ham is one of the first things to come to mind. We are not at all surprised to hear that it is common enough to find Jamon in the grocery store. Some people have said that passing by the meat section feels like walking through a jungle of ham. If you like cured ham, you probably add it to paella or tapas. Anyone who likes the processed meat probably already has Spain on their bucket list. The good news is that you can get whatever you want at Spanish grocery stores.
A Jungle Of Ham
More And More Chocolate
Even though there is a lot of candies that you can choose from in the United States, it has nothing on Europe in terms of chocolate. Just so you know, the average American grocery store will only have 2.87 meters of space for chocolate. This pales in comparison to the United Kingdom, where they have 15.6 meters of aisle space for this treat alone! Does that sound like heaven to you? If this is the case, the United Kingdom should be your next holiday destination.
More And More Chocolate
An Aisle For “American” Food
The United States is known for its curious candy options. This is the reason you are going to find an “American” food aisle in grocery stores all over Europe. We are sure that the items in this space are not staples in the diet of the locals. When they crave American treats, they can get their Marshmallow Fluff, Reese’s Peanut Butter, and Pop-Tarts from this section. Make sure to hit them up whenever you feel homesick on your trip. Trust us, you should be able to get a taste of home in this part of the store.
An Aisle For “American” Food
Baby Food With Horse Meat
It goes without saying that every country has a cuisine of its own. There are certain things that you will find strange unless you grew up with exposure to a variety of food. In places like France, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, it is not at all strange to eat horse meat. This might sound strange to Americans who have never eaten it before, but just you wait until you hear all about horse meat baby food.
Baby Food With Horse Meat
Vouchers In Exchange For Recycling
In our own way, we can help save the environment by recycling. There are not many places that impose strict measures about this, however. We are glad to hear that Germany is part of the green revolution. In this part of the globe, the process is made easy because there are designated stations to drop off plastic and glass bottles close to the grocery stores. People are also rewarded for recycling since the machine hands them a voucher that shoppers can use at checkout.
Vouchers In Exchange For Recycling
American Sized Products
We have already mentioned how European grocery stores have an aisle for American products. On top of that, there are also items that they call “American-sized.” It is not a secret that Americans like big portions. This is the reason a big jar of mayo in Finland says that it is “American Size.” But if you are a loyal customer of Costco, you might notice that this is smaller than the average jar at the big box store.
American Sized Products
Packs Of Beer In Four
When you host a barbecue, a lot of guests are going to bring beer. You can expect people to bring six-packs when you are in the United States. It is a little different in the United Kingdom since they are not as common. The stores typically offer a four-pack instead. If you plan to hold a gathering when you are across the pond, do not be surprised when you have two fewer cans of beer than what you are used to.
Packs Of Beer In Four
All The Cheese You Might Want
Even though Americans love cheese, the United States has nothing on Germany or France in terms of cheese production. In these two European countries, the cheese selection tends to be much bigger than what you will find in a typical American store. As a matter of fact, Germany is the biggest producer of the dairy product within the European Union. The country produces 2.2 million tons of cheese each year! This explains why you will find a lot of rows of cheese of all kinds in the supermarkets.
All The Cheese You Might Want
Milk Outside Of The Fridge
By now, you already know that Europeans do not typically store their eggs in the refrigerator. This one is going to sound weird, but French milk is typically stored outside the fridge as well. Let us explain why this is the case. The French pasteurize dairy products at very high temperatures. This is the reason the milk can be stored at regular room temperature for weeks as long as the product has not been opened.
Milk Outside Of The Fridge
Everything Comes In Tubes
What is it about squeeze tubes that make them so much fun to use? Sure, it is normal enough to see salad dressing or tomato paste in them. But there are other things that come in these tubes in Sweden. Among others, mayo, cheese, and caviar come in them. It looks like Swedish folks like to squeeze out their food from a tube. The most popular of these would be flavored cheese. Can you believe that the flavors range from lobster to crab and everything in between?
Everything Comes In Tubes
Delicious Ready Meals
We can’t thank the high heavens enough for ready meals. They are simply perfect on those days when you do not have the time or energy to cook. Most people get them out of convenience instead of flavor. In the United Kingdom, these ready meals are more than an easy way to get some food in your stomach. You will be surprised to find various gourmet microwave meal offerings across the pond! Many are not just delicious but also healthy. On top of that, they cater to a number of diets like low-fat and vegan.
Delicious Ready Meals
Different Cheese Strengths
It is not exactly a secret that Europeans love cheese. This is proven by the amount that they produce on a yearly basis as well. In the United Kingdom, they have a different way to show their love for the dairy product. You are going to find cheese categorized by strength in grocery stores in this part of the globe. To be specific, one is assigned to very mild cheeses. On the other hand, six goes to very strong ones.
Different Cheese Strengths
Pizza Burger Hot Dog
By now, you already know that European grocery stores carve out a specific space for American things. Some of these items do not come from the United States. There are things that are more like a combo of popular American food. For one thing, we have the Pizzaburger Hot Dog. It was clearly inspired by things associated with the United States, but we are sure that Americans have never heard of it before.
Pizza Burger Hot Dog
A Locker For Your Belongings
When you visit a Spanish grocery store, you might find yourself wondering what the lockers by the entrance are for. That is where people are expected to store big bags before they go shopping. This is believed to lower the odds of shoplifting. It might sound strange to you, but it is a good idea to simply follow the rule and do the same thing that the locals do. If you do not leave your things in the lockers, the cashier or security guard might want to inspect you before you leave. It is best to avoid any hassle.
A Locker For Your Belongings
Scented Ironing Water
Scented detergent is often used to make fresh laundry smell nice. There are a lot of fabric softeners that come in a scent or another as well. But are you familiar with something called scented ironing water? You will find stores in the United Kingdom that sell this product, which can be used to make your clothes smell good. Of course, this is pretty much futile if you have already used scented detergent or softener.
Scented Ironing Water
Not Your Typical Sugar Daddy
Get ready to get confused looks if you tell an American that you have a sugar daddy with you. After all, this term is used to refer to an older wealthy man who uses money to acquire a younger partner. In France, people use this term very differently. It does not even refer to a person but to a brand of sugar instead! You might want to take a photo if you ever come across this product on your next trip to France.
Not Your Typical Sugar Daddy
Paradise For Vegans
In the United States, the vegan movement has been gaining traction. It should not be hard to find vegan mock meat in the supermarket. Despite this, you will be amazed by all the vegan options that you will see in Germany. Their grocery stores often have an entire section dedicated purely to plant-based food! You will find anything typically meat-based in vegan form. It will be a breeze to find plant-based cheese, sausage, chicken, steak, and more. This country should be on your bucket list if you are vegan!
Paradise For Vegans
American Bread
Most people associate the baguette with the French. However, you are wrong if you expect all of them to pick this kind of bread over all the others. The truth is that the European country has been influenced by the way other countries produce bread, including the United States. In their grocery stores, you will find white loaves labeled “American.” If you want to make a sandwich during your France trip, it will not be hard to look for the fluffy bread that you know and love back home.
American Bread
Plastic Bags Are Not Free
Aside from giving customers recycling vouchers, there are other things that European nations do to fight climate change. In their grocery stores, it is common to charge customers when they want plastic bags. While these bags do not cost very much, this move has encouraged folks to carry reusable bags when they shop. This is a little step that has made more people more conscious of their carbon footprint.
Plastic Bags Are Not Free
Bigger Bottles Of Beer
Do you remember when we told you about how British grocery stores sell beer by fours instead of six? This is not the case in Germany, a country known for the alcoholic drink. It is proud of the standard bottle, which is around a cup more than the typical American bottle. The beer bottles found in the United States are often called “baby-sized” over here! This is the place to be if you are a big fan of beer.
Bigger Bottles Of Beer
Unusual Flavors Of Haribo
All over the world, Haribo gummy bears are loved across the globe. The most popular bag is most likely the one that offers the treats in green, orange, red, yellow, and white. Haribo is made in Germany, so it makes sense that they have more flavors to offer. However, you will probably be blown away when you see an entire aisle for the product at a German supermarket. It feels like there are endless flavors on offer. Any candy lover will spend a long time looking at the options before picking the right ones.
Unusual Flavors Of Haribo
Hot Dogs That Come In Jars
The stereotype about Americans is that they eat hot dogs constantly. In France, hot dogs with the “American-style” label typically come in jars. This probably sounds strange to you as most dogs in the United States are not packed like that. When you are craving a taste of home during your trip, there is no need to be confused by the hot dogs in some liquid in a jar. If this does not appeal to you, at least take this opportunity to explore the local cuisine. This is part of the travel experience, after all.
Hot Dogs That Come In Jars
Gloves To Get Fruits And Veggies
In the United States, it is normal to pick up your fresh produce at the store. You only need to get what you want, put them in a plastic bag, and pay for the products. This is not the way to go in Italy, where it is common to wear gloves. You are going to find disposable ones close to the produce aisle. Avoid looking like a tourist by slipping them on before you touch the fruits and vegetables on offer. Trust us, you would rather not risk angering locals when you are in Italy. When in Rome, do as the Romans do!
Gloves To Get Fruits And Veggies
As Much Muesli As You Want
Most Americans will go for granola over muesli. Despite this, we can’t deny that the latter is also a great breakfast and topping option. In Germany, muesli is so much more than either of those things. As a matter of fact, you should find a couple of shelves dedicated to only muesli in German grocery stores. There are a lot of varieties that include chocolate, fruit, and yogurt. We are barely scratching the surface here! The options feel endless. It is always a good idea to try new things when you are abroad, so try one of the flavors that you do not find at home.
As Much Muesli As You Want