With the fall temperatures just around the corner, I started thinking about all the great holiday food that I’d enjoy in the U.S. in the coming months. From desserts to special side dishes, the options are already making me hungry. But then I snapped back to reality because the sad but true fact is that a lot of my favorites aren’t available in France. Here’s a look at the foods I miss most from home.
Go see the foods I miss from America!
Foods I miss from America
Some of these foods are seasonal and some aren’t. The one thing they all have in common is that they’re not widely available in France. There is a store in Paris that specializes in American holiday fare, but since I don’t live in Paris, it’s not convenient (or cheap). There’s a website called My Little America, which has a decent selection, but most of the food is processed — although I do buy canned pumpkin from them. They have a lot of American snacks not available in France.
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So what’s an American living in France to do?
Two choices: 1) Deal with it (which isn’t impossible because there are lots of yummy goodies to be had in France and 2) Get kind friends and family to ship you a few things every now and then. But that gets expensive.
Here are a few of the foods I miss from America:
There are a bunch of American products not available in France.
- Canned pumpkin – Perfect for smoothies, soup, muffins, breads and pie, Libby’s or Whole Foods’ canned pumpkin is pretty much a year-round staple for me. In the fall, I use it even more, being the pumpkin junkie I am. At home in NJ, this stuff is often on sale for around a dollar a can if you stock up when the price is right but to ship it to France? Get ready to go broke. You can buy pumpkins/squash to cook yourself, but it’s just not the same.
Things the French find weird about Americans >>
- Ghirardelli Brownie Mix – There are mixes here but nothing that compares to Ghirardelli. Homemade is best but this stuff is a very close 2nd.
- Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts coffee – Sure, France has coffee but Dunkin Donuts is so familiar — and delicious. Adding in Starbucks because it just feels like home. Unless you’re in a big city, there are no Starbucks around.
- Kashi Snacks – A day without good snacks is not a good day. Kashi cereal bars and granola bars are awesome and I so wish they were available in France.
- Mexican food – Refried beans don’t exist here and I desperately wish they did. While there is a little bit of Mexican food in France, it’s not authentic and the Old El Paso taco kits don’t cut it.
- Seasonings like Old Bay – Good thing it’s cheap to ship. Love Old Bay on fish.
- Non-dairy coffee creamer – I would use this all the time back home, but there’s no market for it here. Forget coconut milk or almond milk creamer.
- Frozen yogurt – Red Mango is popping up all over in the U.S. and I love the stuff to death. In France, a few knockoffs exist in Paris but they don’t compare.
- Bacon – Every now and again, I’d look forward to some Oscar Meyer in the morning. They have all kinds of hams here, but it’s not the same as good ol’ bacon. Some nitrate-free varieties would be nice too.
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Hi Diane! I am an American living in France with my French boy as well… this list has so many of the same things on it as mine does! I especially miss the Mexican food (I’m a native Texan), but have learned to bring back Rotel and chili powder each time I go back and forth, haha!
Hi Haley, I could have written a list of 50 things I think. And it’s not so much about having those foods because I love them and have to eat them every day (Bagels, Reese’s, etc.), but just that they equal home and are comfortable. That option is always there when you’re in the US. But here it can feel so foreign sometimes if you don’t have a nice, comforting can of pumpkin. Do you know what I mean? Thank you for stopping by!
Hi! I just moved to France a month ago – and I have to add peanut butter!!!
Ah, that’s a good one. I can find Skippy in my local grocery store but it has HFCS and there’s only one variety!
Hi Diane!
I just discovered your blog from Mathilde’s one (in Boston). I am french and I spent 3 years in Boston as expat too and now I am back….
I love your blog 🙂
Even though I am french, and I did not spent that many years in the US, I missed during few months canned Libby’s pumpkin and some other stuff… And I have a solution: http://www.myamericanmarket.com
You will pay a bit more but I swear it can help an urgent craving 🙂
I will be delighted to welcome you on my blog one day!
I will follow you!
Grace
Hi Grace, thanks for commenting and being a fan! I know about myamericanmarket.com and cometeshop.com as well. Both have some good things! Thanks for reminding me! Checking out your blog now. Thanks again!
🙂 Thanks to them I can go sit in my couch with a fluffernutter when I feel nostalgic…
hi Diane!
we r an American family in France too… can I help with a few of these?
to recreate canned Pumpkin, you have to do it yourself (and can if you want): “potimarron” is the closest; cook in water or pressure cooler then drain overnight… makes excellent pie, not watery.
for retried beans, put soaked “lingots” beans to cook in water with one or two Tsp duck fat and a bunch of fresh cilantro. puree once cooked through…
peanut butter (made from just peanuts) is available at organic Stores, at Grand Frais and Carrefour under the Dakatine name and at Leclerc under “Africapeanut ” name…
I can ‘t find :liquid Smoke, chipotles… any idea?
Thank you Fred! I think once I have a real kitchen to work in I will give the beans and pumpkin a go. I know it can be done but it takes a little bit of time and space. Worth it though. Thanks again!
Yes, I agree on the liquid smoke! The biggest problem for us is the gluten free selection. We really really really miss Udi’s. We have tried what France has to offer but did not feel good with any of the packaged brands. Being in Paris means we can get to some of the fresh options but we’re not completely convinced on some of those either.