Quintessentially English and British food items as gifts - advice please

Victoria Sponge · 01-06-2015, 17:56

Hello everyone.

I am going to Texas for a holiday in a couple of months and I would like to take some gifts to my Texan friend's Texan friends who I will be meeting. Almost all have not been to the UK before. I am really looking forward to meeting them (I have spoken to a few of them on the phone and they are so sweet) and I know that I will be hanging out with them and some will even be looking after me, so I would like to take with me some nice food items to them as gifts.

I spoke to one of my friend's friends, I asked him if he likes English tea. He said he's never tried it! So that's given me one idea. But, as someone who hates tea I do not not which tea brands are nice. PG Tipps? Twingings? Tetley? something else?

Also, I am thinking to take a tin or two of shortbread biscuits. Where should I get those from? Marks and Spencer? Harrods?

And…this is where my mind has drawn a blank! I can't think of anything else at all. Please give me some ideas.

postit · 01-06-2015, 18:03

I lived in neighbouring Oklahoma for 5 years. Their idea of tea is very sifferent to ours. Very few take it hot and it's like something the cat produced, so I'd think twice about tea.

One thing that always went down well when I came home for a holiday was Thornton's block toffee (sold with a tiny hammer), because their confectionary is largely bloody awful.

Summer Breeze · 01-06-2015, 18:06

I sent a hamper abroad once that was all about Yorkshire.
Every food item was made in Yorkshire.
It was for an ex pat we know who was Yorkshire born and bred for most of his life.

Can you do something that is a tribute to the area that you come from?

Victoria Sponge · 01-06-2015, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by postit

I lived in neighbouring Oklahoma for 5 years. Their idea of tea is very sifferent to ours. Very few take it hot and it's like something the cat produced, so I'd think twice about tea.

One thing that always went down well when I came home for a holiday was Thornton's block toffee (sold with a tiny hammer), because their confectionary is largely bloody awful.

Yep, so I have heard. I have already been advised to bring some chocolate…maybe some assorted Cadburys and Nestlé bars. And thank you, you have given me the idea to bring some toffees!

Victoria Sponge · 01-06-2015, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Summer Breeze

I sent a hamper abroad once that was all about Yorkshire.
Every food item was made in Yorkshire.
It was for an ex pat we know who was Yorkshire born and bred for most of his life.

Can you do something that is a tribute to the area that you come from?

I can't think of anything edible specifically from London.
Your hamper sounds interesting, what did you put in it?

Smithy1204 · 01-06-2015, 18:20

Personally I'd go for Tetley, but I think any of those you mentioned would be fine - it's probably down to personal preference more than anything, but they're all well known and popular brands!

Shortbread biscuits is a good one. Again, can't offer much help as to where (sorry, this is not a helpful post!), but Walkers shortbread is pretty popular, and you can get that in a lot of places, so maybe worth considering?

As for other suggestions...

Some traditional English scones maybe? You could get a few little pots of jam to go with them and provide a kind of 'cream tea' (although I realise transferring the cream part wouldn't be very practical...)

Marmite?
Might sound silly, but how about baked beans?
Some 'proper' English chocolates? (Thorntons? Or just any of the popular things we have here I guess!) (Edit: Posted too slowly, I see you've already thought of this!)
Jelly Babies?

Rufus Knights · 01-06-2015, 18:24

Scottish tablet.

stud u like · 01-06-2015, 18:28

Coconut Ice,Parma Violets and Rhubarb and Custard.
Packet gravy is always popular
Custard Creams.

Victoria Sponge · 01-06-2015, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smithy1204

Personally I'd go for Tetley, but I think any of those you mentioned would be fine - it's probably down to personal preference more than anything, but they're all well known and popular brands!

Shortbread biscuits is a good one. Again, can't offer much help as to where (sorry, this is not a helpful post!), but Walkers shortbread is pretty popular, and you can get that in a lot of places, so maybe worth considering?

As for other suggestions...

Some traditional English scones maybe? You could get a few little pots of jam to go with them and provide a kind of 'cream tea' (although I realise transferring the cream part wouldn't be very practical...)

Marmite?
Might sound silly, but how about baked beans?
Some 'proper' English chocolates? (Thorntons? Or just any of the popular things we have here I guess!) (Edit: Posted too slowly, I see you've already thought of this!)
Jelly Babies?

Marmite is a good one, noted.

And you've just given me a brilliant idea - to lay on an afternoon tea! I was going to make lots of cupcakes and cakes anyway, but now I am thinking to expand that to sandwiches as well, and invite a few people over. I would really love to do that.

Thorntons is a great idea for chocolate. I'll get a few small boxes.

Victoria Sponge · 01-06-2015, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rufus Knights

Scottish tablet.

Tablet, yes. Will get.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stud u like

Coconut Ice,Parma Violets and Rhubarb and Custard.
Packet gravy is always popular
Custard Creams.

Yep, English sweeties, great idea. Will get a selection.

maggie thecat · 01-06-2015, 18:40

Firstly, yes Americans drink hot tea. In Texas however, you'll be offered it iced by your hosts and it may be pre-sweetened. (It didn't used to be, but it's been ages since I've been to Texas.)

In my podunk corner of Tennessee I can buy Tetleys and PG Tips at the supermarket. They've also been known to carry Yorkshire Gold and Barry's, both of which I used to have to special order. As for Twinnings, a shop I love to visit when I'm in London, they've had a substantial American presence forever. It's their super unusual tisanes and other blends that make my eyes light up in their shop. Whittards might make a change as brand to shop.

If I was looking to make a fun splash I'd go to Harrods and/or Fortnum and Mason and hit up the food hall. I'd get some really nice Afternoon tea. Some mixed biscuits. Some georgous Scots heather honey.

I'd go to a regular supermarket for some mixes for scones or cakes. Actually, whenever I visit a UK supermarket I always spend a ridiculous amount of time in the packaged bakery section salivating over all the little cakes and pies, so that would be a way to go.

And to make it fun I'd get some various bars of chocolate and some crisps more daring than salt and vinegar, because those have been commonplace for ages.

Sorry. This went all rambly. I'm a weird tourist, I like grocery stores. I buy dried soup as a souvenir, because your flavours like oxtail and farmhouse vegetable are different to ours. Anyway, I hope I sparked a few ideas.

stud u like · 01-06-2015, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge

Tablet, yes. Will get.

Yep, English sweeties, great idea. Will get a selection.

Ooooh Dettol is also popular. The number of Americans I know who want it.

Victoria Sponge · 01-06-2015, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by stud u like

Ooooh Dettol is also popular. The number of Americans I know who want it.

Dettol? Really?!
Strangely…now you've got me craving a bottle so that I can just take long hard sniffs of it. It smells delicious.

stud u like · 01-06-2015, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge

Dettol? Really?!
Strangely…now you've got me craving a bottle so that I can just take long hard sniffs of it. It smells delicious.

Of course not for eating but the number of Americans who had lived in the UK said it was better than their cleaning products,

andersonsonson · 01-06-2015, 18:54

Cadburys Dairy Milk

American chocolate is horrid

spectra · 02-06-2015, 08:44

How about taking some proper cheese, you know mature stuff.

Also how about digestive biscuits to go with.

Victoria Sponge · 02-06-2015, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectra

How about taking some proper cheese, you know mature stuff.

Also how about digestive biscuits to go with.

I was thinking of taking cheese, I looked up briefly yesterday if I'd be allowed to but I couldn't find an answer...

molliepops · 02-06-2015, 10:26

Parkin. Yorkshire pudding, black pudding, white pudding, Cumberland sausage, Lincolnshire sausage, game pies, pork pies, Cornish pasties, steak and kidney pudding and pies, bakewell tart, jam roly poly, lardy cake, sussex pudding,spotted dick, Victoria sponge cake, so many cheeses from stilton. wensleydale and red leicester to cheddar, Gloucester and cottage and curd cheeses.

I believe Christmas pudding is English too.

vosne · 02-06-2015, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge

I can't think of anything edible specifically from London.
Your hamper sounds interesting, what did you put in it?

Could take a live eel. And some mash.

You might have to buy it a seat right enough.

maggie thecat · 02-06-2015, 12:41

I've brought cheese home with me. Anything with meat in it including tinned food was confiscated. No British beef products allowed. That was a few years back though, so I'd make a point to check with Customs.

walterwhite · 02-06-2015, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge

Marmite is a good one, noted.

And you've just given me a brilliant idea - to lay on an afternoon tea! I was going to make lots of cupcakes and cakes anyway, but now I am thinking to expand that to sandwiches as well, and invite a few people over. I would really love to do that.

Thorntons is a great idea for chocolate. I'll get a few small boxes.

Whatever you take make sure you can import it first. Marmite should be ok but I believe it is banned in Canada!

Patti-Ann · 02-06-2015, 15:28

Liquorice Allsorts

Jam, marmalade or lemon curd

wildpumpkin · 02-06-2015, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge

[/b]

Yep, so I have heard. I have already been advised to bring some chocolate…maybe some assorted Cadburys and Nestlé bars. And thank you, you have given me the idea to bring some toffees!

Cadburys and Nestlé bars..........They becoming more and more tasting like yank chocolate.

Toffee for definite This toffee and fudge is sensational

http://www.thetoffeeshop.co.uk/

and these chocolates were featured on Contryfile last week

http://www.caraghchocolates.co.uk/

towers · 02-06-2015, 16:05

Another vote for shortbread and digestive biscuits..

Cadbury's chocolate ( though beware, many Americans apparently find British milk chocolate too sweet, so nothing too sickly )

interestingly, Jaffa Cakes always go down well in Youtube videos where Americans try British confectionary (not the cheap ones though)

wampa1 · 02-06-2015, 16:31

Quintessentially English and British food items.... have you thought about a greasy chicken tikka and a kebab?

01-06-2015, 17:56	#1
Victoria Sponge Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Garage, GoT, Brasil & steak Posts: 10,505	Quintessentially English and British food items as gifts - advice please Hello everyone. I am going to Texas for a holiday in a couple of months and I would like to take some gifts to my Texan friend's Texan friends who I will be meeting. Almost all have not been to the UK before. I am really looking forward to meeting them (I have spoken to a few of them on the phone and they are so sweet) and I know that I will be hanging out with them and some will even be looking after me, so I would like to take with me some nice food items to them as gifts. I spoke to one of my friend's friends, I asked him if he likes English tea. He said he's never tried it! So that's given me one idea. But, as someone who hates tea I do not not which tea brands are nice. PG Tipps? Twingings? Tetley? something else? Also, I am thinking to take a tin or two of shortbread biscuits. Where should I get those from? Marks and Spencer? Harrods? And…this is where my mind has drawn a blank! I can't think of anything else at all. Please give me some ideas.

01-06-2015, 18:03	#2
postit Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 10,680	I lived in neighbouring Oklahoma for 5 years. Their idea of tea is very sifferent to ours. Very few take it hot and it's like something the cat produced, so I'd think twice about tea. One thing that always went down well when I came home for a holiday was Thornton's block toffee (sold with a tiny hammer), because their confectionary is largely bloody awful.

01-06-2015, 18:06	#3
Summer Breeze Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,042	I sent a hamper abroad once that was all about Yorkshire. Every food item was made in Yorkshire. It was for an ex pat we know who was Yorkshire born and bred for most of his life. Can you do something that is a tribute to the area that you come from?

01-06-2015, 18:16	#4
Victoria Sponge Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Garage, GoT, Brasil & steak Posts: 10,505	Quote: Originally Posted by postit I lived in neighbouring Oklahoma for 5 years. Their idea of tea is very sifferent to ours. Very few take it hot and it's like something the cat produced, so I'd think twice about tea. One thing that always went down well when I came home for a holiday was Thornton's block toffee (sold with a tiny hammer), because their confectionary is largely bloody awful. Yep, so I have heard. I have already been advised to bring some chocolate…maybe some assorted Cadburys and Nestlé bars. And thank you, you have given me the idea to bring some toffees!

01-06-2015, 18:17	#5
Victoria Sponge Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Garage, GoT, Brasil & steak Posts: 10,505	Quote: Originally Posted by Summer Breeze I sent a hamper abroad once that was all about Yorkshire. Every food item was made in Yorkshire. It was for an ex pat we know who was Yorkshire born and bred for most of his life. Can you do something that is a tribute to the area that you come from? I can't think of anything edible specifically from London. Your hamper sounds interesting, what did you put in it?

01-06-2015, 18:20	#6
Smithy1204 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3,869	Personally I'd go for Tetley, but I think any of those you mentioned would be fine - it's probably down to personal preference more than anything, but they're all well known and popular brands! Shortbread biscuits is a good one. Again, can't offer much help as to where (sorry, this is not a helpful post!), but Walkers shortbread is pretty popular, and you can get that in a lot of places, so maybe worth considering? As for other suggestions... Some traditional English scones maybe? You could get a few little pots of jam to go with them and provide a kind of 'cream tea' (although I realise transferring the cream part wouldn't be very practical...) Marmite? Might sound silly, but how about baked beans? Some 'proper' English chocolates? (Thorntons? Or just any of the popular things we have here I guess!) (Edit: Posted too slowly, I see you've already thought of this!) Jelly Babies?

01-06-2015, 18:24	#7
Rufus Knights Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 2,995	Scottish tablet.

01-06-2015, 18:28	#8
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	Coconut Ice,Parma Violets and Rhubarb and Custard. Packet gravy is always popular Custard Creams.

01-06-2015, 18:32	#9
Victoria Sponge Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Garage, GoT, Brasil & steak Posts: 10,505	Quote: Originally Posted by Smithy1204 Personally I'd go for Tetley, but I think any of those you mentioned would be fine - it's probably down to personal preference more than anything, but they're all well known and popular brands! Shortbread biscuits is a good one. Again, can't offer much help as to where (sorry, this is not a helpful post!), but Walkers shortbread is pretty popular, and you can get that in a lot of places, so maybe worth considering? As for other suggestions... Some traditional English scones maybe? You could get a few little pots of jam to go with them and provide a kind of 'cream tea' (although I realise transferring the cream part wouldn't be very practical...) Marmite? Might sound silly, but how about baked beans? Some 'proper' English chocolates? (Thorntons? Or just any of the popular things we have here I guess!) (Edit: Posted too slowly, I see you've already thought of this!) Jelly Babies? Marmite is a good one, noted. And you've just given me a brilliant idea - to lay on an afternoon tea! I was going to make lots of cupcakes and cakes anyway, but now I am thinking to expand that to sandwiches as well, and invite a few people over. I would really love to do that. Thorntons is a great idea for chocolate. I'll get a few small boxes.

01-06-2015, 18:34	#10
Victoria Sponge Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Garage, GoT, Brasil & steak Posts: 10,505	Quote: Originally Posted by Rufus Knights Scottish tablet. Tablet, yes. Will get. Quote: Originally Posted by stud u like Coconut Ice,Parma Violets and Rhubarb and Custard. Packet gravy is always popular Custard Creams. Yep, English sweeties, great idea. Will get a selection.

01-06-2015, 18:40	#11
maggie thecat Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 962	Firstly, yes Americans drink hot tea. In Texas however, you'll be offered it iced by your hosts and it may be pre-sweetened. (It didn't used to be, but it's been ages since I've been to Texas.) In my podunk corner of Tennessee I can buy Tetleys and PG Tips at the supermarket. They've also been known to carry Yorkshire Gold and Barry's, both of which I used to have to special order. As for Twinnings, a shop I love to visit when I'm in London, they've had a substantial American presence forever. It's their super unusual tisanes and other blends that make my eyes light up in their shop. Whittards might make a change as brand to shop. If I was looking to make a fun splash I'd go to Harrods and/or Fortnum and Mason and hit up the food hall. I'd get some really nice Afternoon tea. Some mixed biscuits. Some georgous Scots heather honey. I'd go to a regular supermarket for some mixes for scones or cakes. Actually, whenever I visit a UK supermarket I always spend a ridiculous amount of time in the packaged bakery section salivating over all the little cakes and pies, so that would be a way to go. And to make it fun I'd get some various bars of chocolate and some crisps more daring than salt and vinegar, because those have been commonplace for ages. Sorry. This went all rambly. I'm a weird tourist, I like grocery stores. I buy dried soup as a souvenir, because your flavours like oxtail and farmhouse vegetable are different to ours. Anyway, I hope I sparked a few ideas.

01-06-2015, 18:41	#12
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	Quote: Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge Tablet, yes. Will get. Yep, English sweeties, great idea. Will get a selection. Ooooh Dettol is also popular. The number of Americans I know who want it.

01-06-2015, 18:52	#13
Victoria Sponge Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Garage, GoT, Brasil & steak Posts: 10,505	Quote: Originally Posted by stud u like Ooooh Dettol is also popular. The number of Americans I know who want it. Dettol? Really?! Strangely…now you've got me craving a bottle so that I can just take long hard sniffs of it. It smells delicious.

01-06-2015, 18:53	#14
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	Quote: Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge Dettol? Really?! Strangely…now you've got me craving a bottle so that I can just take long hard sniffs of it. It smells delicious. Of course not for eating but the number of Americans who had lived in the UK said it was better than their cleaning products,

01-06-2015, 18:54	#15
andersonsonson Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6,215	Cadburys Dairy Milk American chocolate is horrid

02-06-2015, 08:44	#16
spectra Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 434	How about taking some proper cheese, you know mature stuff. Also how about digestive biscuits to go with.

02-06-2015, 10:22	#17
Victoria Sponge Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Garage, GoT, Brasil & steak Posts: 10,505	Quote: Originally Posted by spectra How about taking some proper cheese, you know mature stuff. Also how about digestive biscuits to go with. I was thinking of taking cheese, I looked up briefly yesterday if I'd be allowed to but I couldn't find an answer...

02-06-2015, 10:26	#18
molliepops Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: woking Posts: 21,678	Parkin. Yorkshire pudding, black pudding, white pudding, Cumberland sausage, Lincolnshire sausage, game pies, pork pies, Cornish pasties, steak and kidney pudding and pies, bakewell tart, jam roly poly, lardy cake, sussex pudding,spotted dick, Victoria sponge cake, so many cheeses from stilton. wensleydale and red leicester to cheddar, Gloucester and cottage and curd cheeses. I believe Christmas pudding is English too.

02-06-2015, 11:19	#19
vosne Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: madamoiselle never Posts: 11,453	Quote: Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge I can't think of anything edible specifically from London. Your hamper sounds interesting, what did you put in it? Could take a live eel. And some mash. You might have to buy it a seat right enough.

02-06-2015, 12:41	#20
maggie thecat Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 962	I've brought cheese home with me. Anything with meat in it including tinned food was confiscated. No British beef products allowed. That was a few years back though, so I'd make a point to check with Customs.

02-06-2015, 13:21	#21
walterwhite Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 21,729	Quote: Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge Marmite is a good one, noted. And you've just given me a brilliant idea - to lay on an afternoon tea! I was going to make lots of cupcakes and cakes anyway, but now I am thinking to expand that to sandwiches as well, and invite a few people over. I would really love to do that. Thorntons is a great idea for chocolate. I'll get a few small boxes. Whatever you take make sure you can import it first. Marmite should be ok but I believe it is banned in Canada!

DS Forums

Quintessentially English and British food items as gifts - advice please

02-06-2015, 15:28	#22
Patti-Ann Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 16,407	Liquorice Allsorts Jam, marmalade or lemon curd

02-06-2015, 15:34	#23
wildpumpkin Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,382	Quote: Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge [/b] Yep, so I have heard. I have already been advised to bring some chocolate…maybe some assorted Cadburys and Nestlé bars. And thank you, you have given me the idea to bring some toffees! Cadburys and Nestlé bars..........They becoming more and more tasting like yank chocolate. Toffee for definite This toffee and fudge is sensational http://www.thetoffeeshop.co.uk/ and these chocolates were featured on Contryfile last week http://www.caraghchocolates.co.uk/

02-06-2015, 16:05	#24
towers Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Midlands, UK Posts: 10,948	Another vote for shortbread and digestive biscuits.. Cadbury's chocolate ( though beware, many Americans apparently find British milk chocolate too sweet, so nothing too sickly ) interestingly, Jaffa Cakes always go down well in Youtube videos where Americans try British confectionary (not the cheap ones though)

02-06-2015, 16:31	#25
wampa1 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 2,957	Quintessentially English and British food items.... have you thought about a greasy chicken tikka and a kebab?