Main differences between US and UK supermarkets (that I’ve noticed so far):
1) They sell beer, but not wine or spirits. In some states (Massachusetts) they don’t sell any booze at all.
2) There is a huge aisle in the freezer section specialising in ice cream, frozen yoghurt, etc. but the only frozen meat available is leftover turkeys from Thanksgiving.
3) Single cream and double cream are “Cream” and “Heavy Cream” respectively and are sold in handy measures of either half a pint or four pints.
4) Regular battery chicken eggs are bleached white, just like in Israel.
5) The only bacon on offer is streaky bacon. It’s almost impossible to get hold of back bacon and to do so you have to ask for “Canadian Bacon.”
Bizarrely, in the European cheese fridge I found a combination of Stilton and Double Gloucester (it’s done in layers) called “Stilchester”. Even more bizarrely, it’s made in England.
As a Brit you also have to contend with the fact that certain foods reached America through different routes and will not necessarily have the same names. For example, what I call coriander was brought to the Americas by the Spanish and so everyone here calls it cilantro. Still, a keen eye, a good nose and the readiness to ask silly questions will just about see you through.
Apoologies to everyone for lack of email. I’ve written a whole bunch, but I’m having trouble getting my email program to send mail, even though it recieves perfectly. Go figure.
