Delicious or disgusting? It depends on who you ask. From sweet marshmallow casseroles to deep-fried fair food, the U.S. offers a smorgasbord of unique flavors the rest of the world doesn’t understand. Here are the foods that are as American as apple pie:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple in American childhoods. However, the combination of sweet and savory is not universally appreciated. For some, the idea of mixing fruit jelly with peanut butter is an incomprehensible taste collision.
Grits
Grits, a ground-corn porridge, divide opinions even within the United States. Outside its southern homeland, its texture and blandness baffle many. Often served with butter, cheese, or shrimp, its versatility does little to win over skeptics.
Root Beer
Root beer is an American classic. However, its medicinal taste turns off many international palates. Some compare its flavor to that of dental mouthwash, making it an acquired taste at best.
Corn Dogs
Corn dogs consist of hot dogs coated in a thick layer of cornmeal batter and deep-fried. This fusion of sweet and meaty flavors, combined with its greasy texture, puzzles many from other countries. The concept of eating meat on a stick covered in a cake-like batter is a novelty that not everyone appreciates.
Twinkies
Twinkies have achieved cult status in America. Yet, their chemical aftertaste and spongy texture do not translate well globally. The shelf-stable snack is often cited as an example of American excess in food preservation.
Biscuits and Gravy
Biscuits and gravy, a southern U.S. comfort food, features soft dough biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy. Its heavy, starchy nature is often seen as too dense and indulgent by those with lighter breakfast preferences.
Pumpkin Pie
The idea of a sweet vegetable pie is a foreign concept to many, who can’t fathom pumpkin as a dessert base. Its spices and texture also contribute to its divisive reputation.
Cheese in a Can
Spray cheese, or cheese in a can, epitomizes American innovation in food convenience. However, its artificial flavor and the idea of cheese that doesn’t need refrigeration unsettle many.
S’mores
S’mores, a campfire treat of roasted marshmallows and chocolate between graham crackers, are adored in the U.S. but mystify others. The messy, sticky concoction is seen as overly sweet and cumbersome to eat.
Chili Con Carne
Chili con carne is a Tex-Mex favorite. While spicy food is enjoyed worldwide, the specific blend of flavors and textures in chili doesn’t always translate. It’s often deemed too heavy and complex for those unfamiliar with Tex-Mex cuisine.
Deep-Dish Pizza
Italians often criticize deep-dish pizza for straying too far from pizza’s original simplicity. Its casserole-like depth and thick, globby cheese can be overwhelming and off-putting to some.
Fried Butter
Fried butter, a state fair spectacle, baffles virtually everyone outside the U.S. (and even some who were born here). The concept of deep-frying butter is seen as the epitome of unhealthy American excess.
Jell-O Salad
Jell-O salad, a concoction of flavored gelatin mixed with fruits, vegetables, and sometimes even meat, is a puzzling dish. This mix of sweet and savory, solid and semi-solid, confounds many international tastes. It’s a dish that encapsulates the American love for experimentation.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows is a Thanksgiving favorite that leaves many non-Americans scratching their heads. The combination of a sweet vegetable with even sweeter toppings is perplexing.
Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings, spicy and buttery chicken wings, have a fervent following in the U.S. While spicy chicken is universally popular, the intense vinegar-based heat and messy eating experience are not for everyone. The combination of eating wings with blue cheese dressing is seen as strange to others.
Bacon-Wrapped Anything
The American trend of wrapping bacon around everything from dates and steaks to asparagus and jalapenos is seen as an overindulgence. While bacon is beloved worldwide, its use as a wrap is often viewed as unnecessary excess.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is an American obsession that many find too sticky and overpowering. Its use in desserts, candies, and even savory dishes is bewildering to some. The texture and flavor of peanut butter don’t always find favor with international palates.
Meatloaf
Meatloaf, a blend of ground meat and other ingredients baked into a loaf shape, divides opinion. Its comfort food status in America doesn’t always translate abroad, where it’s often seen as bland and unappetizing. The concept of mixing meats and baking them together is unfamiliar to many.
Clam Chowder
Clam chowder, particularly the creamy New England variety, is a beloved American soup. Its thick consistency and clam content can be off-putting to those not accustomed to seafood soups. The soup’s rich flavor and texture are distinctive but not universally appealing.
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes, a sandwich of ground beef and sauce, is a quintessential American comfort food. Its messy nature and sweet-savory sauce are peculiar to many outside the U.S. The simplicity of the dish is both its charm and its puzzlement.
Circus Peanuts
Circus peanuts, orange marshmallow candies shaped like peanuts, are a bizarre American novelty. Their artificial banana flavor and rubbery texture are not considered appetizing to many.
Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew, a highly caffeinated and sugary soda, has a passionate fan base in the U.S. Its electric green color and intense sweetness are startling to those used to more natural flavors in beverages. The drink is often associated with American youth culture and extremes.
Cornbread
Cornbread, a staple of Southern U.S. cuisine, receives mixed reactions globally. Its sweet, crumbly texture is unfamiliar and sometimes unappealing to those expecting savory, yeast-leavened bread.
