Here in B.C. both Vancouver and Victoria have quite a few good fish and chips shops. Quite a few also having mushy peas on the menu. In Victoria there has always been a British connection and there are a few stores that cater to ex-pats that sell British sweets and canned goods. We used to have Marks and Spencers but they pulled out of Canada a few years ago and I still miss the biscuits and frozen foods. Kate

Hi Kate

Yes I've heard Victoria has a strong British connection. It seems Canada has licenses to produce quite a few British connected drinks and foods. Luckily I can get lots of UK imported foods from places like Goodwoods.com who work out of Texas selling UK foods. Virginia has a scarcity of any UK foods but my local Krogers does import UK beers like Boddingtons.
My wife developed a passion for Perry when she visited England. It's a light cider made from the Perry pear. Unfortunately it can't be found anywhere in the USA. Have you seen it in Canada?

Paul

Okay, tonight I was in the Irish section of the international aisle of the grocery store, and I saw two kinds of peas - one was called marrowfat peas, and the other was called processed peas. They both sound gross, but the picture on the front of the labels looked like regular peas. Are either of those mushy peas?

Hi Gina

Both those peas taste great!!! But neither is Mushy Peas. The label actually says Mushy Peas. However, if you buy Marrowfat Peas and heat them for awhile they start to go mushy. Not exactly Mushy Peas but close.
My wife doesn't like Marrowfat or Mushy peas so it may just be a cultural thing. You have to grow up eating them to like them. Is the brand Batchelors'? They're the genuine UK brand.
You're so lucky to have an Irish section in your supermarket. What store is it? I have to get my Marrowfat Peas via the internet and pay quite alot for a tin of peas!

Paul

Paul,

I think you're right about having to grow up eating certain things. I grew up eating hominy and I love it but my wife had never had it until we got married and she hates it. I guess not everybody can have refine eating habits. Hehe.

Garry

Yes, Paul, the brand name was Batchelors. I shop at the A&P. There is a large aisle dedicated to international foods, like Greek, Hispanic, Jewish, Chinese, Irish, Polish, Arabic, etc. I wasn't looking specifically at prices, but as my eyes glossed over the shelf, I remember $2.59 as the price of something, so maybe it was for those. So, you think it's worth me trying them? Maybe I'll start with the processed peas, first. Do you eat them like regular peas, and just serve it with chicken or something? They had a lot of other irish food, too. I'll make note of it and let you know if there was anything else that was interesting.

Garry, Rich grew up eating hominy because his father lived in different areas of the south. He loves it. When I first tried it, I didn't, but I've acquired a taste enough where I can deal with it. But you're right - it's all about what you're used to. It's funny, because I recently sent Janette in Scotland some little treats like Hershey bars and M&M's and she and her kids thought they were repulsive :) Well, of course she would, because she has that awesome Belgian chocolate not far away. I'm still waiting for Guy to send me some good Canadian beer...

Hi Gina

Yes you can eat the Processed peas with any meat. Marrowfat taste better than Processed in my opinion. Once again you can eat this with anything. Just heat the peas.
Hershey's is AWFUL!!! The worst chocolate in the Western world. I've tasted English, Swiss, Belgian, German, French and without doubt Hershey's is the worst. In my humble opinion Cadbury's is among the best.
But I don't have any problems with other US chocolates. Nestle, Mars etc are fine. And I love Tootsie Rolls. I sent some to my sister in England (plus the Tootsie Pop) and she loves them as well. We used to read DC comics as kids in England and they always advertised Tootsie Rolls but never sold them in the UK. So when I had a chance to taste them for the first time I was pleasantly surprised.

Paul

Paul, that's funny! I can't believe Tootsie rolls aren't world wide. If you like those, try tootsie pops. The're sure to pull your fillings right out. I love Hershey's, by the way! Mmmmmm. It's all good :) And that Cadbury fruit and nut bar - I haven't had that in years! And Cadbury dairy milk bars are pretty good, too. But I'm not big on those Cadbury creme eggs they sell at easter. The chocolate is good, but the filling is - too sweet. I can't believe I said that. Usually nothing is too sweet for me. Hey, have you tried yodels and funny bones yet? Mmmm. Now THEY'RE good. But twinkies and suzie-Q's are gross! How about frosted flakes and cocoa puffs? Another American staple :)
I will have to say that the absolute BEST chocolate I've ever had in my entire life was a Belgian chocolate brand called Leoneidas. The dark chocolate was to die for, and the milk chocolate was out of this world. I have never tasted anything like that EVER! I checked for it on the internet a long time ago, but I don't remember finding it. I should search again.

By the way, the processed peas were $1.59, and the marrowfat peas were $1.99. They sell them in cans and in boxes. They had other things, like black currant juice, and sherry flavored trifle, and something called drinking chocolate, and a whole bunch of other stuff I can't remember.

Hi Gina

You must try the drinking chocolate if it's Cadbury's. In the UK trifles are popular at Christmas as is sherry.
Although recently sherry has gained a reputation as a 'little old lady' drink. Harvey's Bristol Cream is the best sherry and it's sold in America.
Belgian chocolates have the reputation of being the world's best, but I know the Swiss would disagree with that.
Yes Gina, it's a shock to find our favourite foods, drinks or candies aren't always sold worldwide. I've had to adapt to that. In the same way I can imagine lots of American residents in the UK getting Tootsie Roll or Hershey withdrawal symptoms.

Paul

Hi Gina

Frosted Flakes are called 'Frosties' in the UK. They still have Tony the Tiger advertising them. They're Greeeeeaaaat!!
UK has all the Kellog's brands and Quaker Oats etc. But the very best oatmeal is 'Scott's Porage Oats'. My wife loves it. Maybe the illustration of a Scotsman in a kilt on the box has something to do with it!!

Paul

No I haven't seen Perry bear Paul but I will check next time I'm at the liquor store. Kate

Hi Kate and Garry

Yes I've tried Hominy Grits. Definitely an acquired taste! And thanks Kate for looking for Perry. It's sold in a wine type bottle and would most likely be sold in a supermarket with the wines and champagnes rather than a liquor store. It's only a light refreshing alcoholic drink. Around 5% proof.

Paul,

I wasn't talking about the grits although I love them too. I'm talking about the kernals white or yellow I love them both.

I'm the type of person that's not afraid to try new food except oppossum. I'm not eating that no matter how good anybody tells me it is. I'll try snake or any other kind of meat but keep the oppossum away from me.

Garry

Hi Garry

Here in Virginia you'll find lots of possum. Mostly squashed in the road. They kill creatures for fun around here it seems. You'll find dead possum, squirrels, muskrat, cats, deer and skunks. You get used to it after awhile. Never get used to the skunk smell though!

Paul