How to buy groceries in the UK if you're American

Larry has some good advice for Americans who are facing the daunting task of supermarket shopping in the UK. It isn't easy to do simple things like choose sausages, identify strangely named cheeses and understand the differences between 'cookies' and 'biscuits'. So if you're planning to cook in the UK here are some handy hints and tips.

Last year, I came to England to live with Charlotte. After my two weeks in last May, I thought I’d be ready for life in England. Little did I know I still had a lot of adjustment to do.  Life in England was a little more complex  and different than I had imagined.

The thing that really got me was shopping in England. Westfield Stratford was easy enough.  What really threw me for a loop was the first time I went into a grocery store, specifically a Tesco.  While ordered in a similar fashion to an American supermarket, the selection is enough to make any American’s head spin. It took some time getting used to.

The biscuit aisle

In the United Kingdom, a lot of cookie products are referred to as biscuits and can be found in the biscuit aisle, including Kit Kats and Oreos. This one actually threw me for a loop for quite some time. Also, there are crossover products with cake and cookie elements, that can also be found in the biscuit aisle. Like Jaffa Cakes, which are light sponge discs with orange flavoured filling and a dark chocolate outer layer. So, if in doubt, go to the biscuit aisle.

The meat aisle

When I wanted to make Jambalaya for Charlotte, I was going to use Italian sausage for the meat. Well, apparently Italian sausage is a distinctly American thing, as I found no trace of it. In fact, I found nothing resembling it either. 

I was confronted with: Lincolnshire sausages, Brambly Apple sausages, Chipolatas, Cumberland sausages, just to name a few.  I think the only familiar sausage I found was Chorizo. I stared at that cooler full of sausage for some time, utterly confused.

If you want...

- A plain sausage for Jambalaya, or other meat dishes... Go for a plain Walls sausage or a cumberland sausage
- A breakfast sausage... go for Cumberland or Lincolnshire
- Hot dog sausage... go for Chipolatas
- Bacon... regular American bacon is referred to here as 'streaky' bacon

The cheese aisle

In America we have choices like American, Provolone, Cheddar, Muenster, Colby, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, and Swiss cheese. However, in England, I was staring at a very very different set of cheeses. Most cheeses fell under the category of Cheddar, in fact, it was on the sign above the aisle. The flavors, however, were very different. Double Gloucester, Red Leicester, Stilton. 

If you want...

- A mild cheese for sandwiches or cooking... choose Cheddar, Red Leicester, Double Gloucester
- A low fat cheese... go for Edam
- A strong, blue cheese... Go for Stilton
- Soft cheese... The UK also has Philadelphia, so this makes it a little easier!

The milk aisle

If you want...
- Fat free milk... go for skimmed (red top)
- Half fat milk... go for semi-skimmed (green top)
- Full fat milk... go for whole milk (blue top)

The bread aisle

There's no such thing as potato bread in the UK! *sad face*

If you want...
- Healthy, whole grain bread... go for granary bread
- Brown bread... go for wholemeal
- White bread... it's called the same thing

Other tips...

- All purpose flour is called 'plain flour' here
- Clotted cream is like super thick double cream, it's good with fruit
- Scones are like American biscuits but sweeter and sometimes with fruit
- Buttermilk is only available in specialist food stores, so if you are making pancakes and you can't find it at the supermarket, try online

It’s not just the products that are different; the whole shopping mindset seems to follow a different set of rules. When I was in England, I was very seldom asked if I needed help with anything. Most store clerks left me alone, unless I was asking to directly interact with them. They may have shot me a nod, or a smile, but almost never asked if I needed help.

This is a stark contrast to the United States where everyone is almost always asking if you need help, unless you’re in Walmart, that is. Sometimes, this can be seen as pushy, in the United States, but most times it’s expected. In England though, this is almost always considered pushy. To be honest, I don’t accept most clerk’s help if they offer it to me, but if I’m in a new place and I’m not even offered help, it does feel a tad weird. I eventually got over it though.

While some of the things I saw weren’t familiar to me, the little bits that were familiar helped me to get accustomed to it all. I have more advice to share, so keep on reading, and I will post more soon.