Online Poll Reveals British Expats’ Most-loved Foodie Treats

Moving overseas for a new life in a strange land can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but the downside could be missing familiar foods, drinks and culinary treats.

A recent poll undertaken by an online store selling typically British favourites to expats all over the world has resulted in a comprehensive list of foods no self-respecting Brit can do without. At the top of the list is British-style tea, along with chocolate and, believe it or not, Marmite. Other essentials include Heinz salad cream, crumpets and IrnBru, British mustard, real bacon and even Twiglets. Malt vinegar, scones, creamy British custard and breakfast favourite marmalade all featured in the most-missed top 20 items sold by the online shop to the 1,000 survey respondents.

Another interesting take on living overseas was revealed, in that almost 66 per cent of those polled said British food was the thing most missed apart from family and friends, perhaps explaining why British expats plead with visiting friends and relatives to slip a few jars of Marmite in their luggage along with their sun cream and mosquito repellent. The only other option for desperate British expats is frequent trips back to the home country.

It’s not just everyday foodstuffs being craved by expatriate Brits, with one poll respondent placing pressed cod roe at the top of his list, and cans of Tennent’s lager also likely to be smuggled in, unless the expat recipient is unfortunate enough to be based in a Gulf State. One desperate pet owner said she was more than happy to stick with local foods, but her cat is having a hard time adjusting without her favourite Whiskas Crunch.

Replies to other survey questions revealed half of expat respondents were missing traditional British pubs, with a further 50 per cent longing for classic British humour and others craving a sight of the British countryside’s rolling hills. Some 20 per cent left the UK for a better lifestyle, 30 per cent moved to a new job and 30 per cent craved better, sunnier, warmer weather.