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I think you're probably right... I haven't done any research into this, but it seems cereal - like breakfast cereals that you serve with milk and fruit - were introduced by the Quaker and Mormon communities that settled in America.
Interesting. I just read a bit on the origins of processed cereals. America, late 1800's, vegetarianism or bowel problems, and convenience...the Americam way!
Interesting. The stereotype of Europeans is that they know a lot about America, but the notion that 'fast food' = typical American food defeats that notion.
Sure those are American, but beef, ham, potatoes, pasta, seafood, and veg are real American food. Hamburgers and hot dogs are treats except for the most vulgar tastes (to which I myself am victim ;-).
Ham and potatoes are German, pasta Italian.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Momotaro
Cereal is primarily an American thing. Most other countries shy away from a processed breakfast and really processed foods as a whole.
Muesli and breakfast grains are European.
The processed stuff is from the US.
That is why I used the word most. U.S. closely reflects its ways from England. Yes there are large differences but many similarities from the rule 200+ yrs ago.
Also when Americans talk cereal it is usually the variety that is served cold, usually crunchy and with milk. Oatmeal and Porridge while cereal is usually not referred to as such.
I’m sure they are, but they are used in lots of different cuisines through the world, I don’t really associate them directly to the USA.
BTW I have being taking an interest in Soutern US foods of late, and have cooked up a ham hock lentil soup and a Jambalaya in the last couple of weeks - Both delicious, but you don’t have to go to the ethnic section of the supermarket to get any of the ingredients, its just a different combination of ingrediants i use all the time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chielgirl
Ham and potatoes are German, pasta Italian.
Muesli and breakfast grains are European.
The processed stuff is from the US.
All this just serves my point that the reason you don't see an 'American Food Aisle' is because American food simply reflects the foods of the origins of the population which is primarily European.
I mean, people bring up Hot Dogs and Hamburgers. German food, really. I think Norwegians eat more Hot Dogs (polser) than Americans and minced meat formed into a patty, the hamburger, existed long before any Europeans set foot in the New World.
One of the 'real' American foods that is not common elsewhere is peanut butter.
I see Pringles over here (UK), sometimes hotdogs in brine in a jar, and there's a line of stuff at Lidl called "American style" (McKenney?) but having tried some of their products (e.g. Thousand Island and Ceasar salad dressing) - not impressed. I have heard rumours of people finding Kraft Dinner (macaroni and cheese) - also I regularly see "French's mustard" (which I think is American)(?) - which is one thing I DO buy!
That is why I used the word most. U.S. closely reflects its ways from England. Yes there are large differences but many similarities from the rule 200+ yrs ago.
Also when Americans talk cereal it is usually the variety that is served cold, usually crunchy and with milk. Oatmeal and Porridge while cereal is usually not referred to as such.
Americans have a big agricultural industry and cereals produced by companies such as Kelloggs became leading international brands along with brands such as Shredded Wheat and Quaker, however other countries such as Australia also produced major global cereal companies such as Weetabix (who also now own other brands such as Alpen) and companies such as Scott's Porage Oats are also amongst the brand leaders in parts of Europe.
In Britain we have had cereals such as Kellogs Cornflakes, Shredded Wheat, Rice Krispies, Cocoa Pops and numerous others for a very long time long , and there have been factories here producing such products in places like Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire since the 1920's, whilst US Companies such as Heinz and companies such as Procter and Gamble also have massive plants in Britain stemming from the same period.
One of the 'real' American foods that is not common elsewhere is peanut butter.
And that is an interesting history, too... though the peanut is said to be originally from South America, it made it's way to Africa via early South American explorers and trade with Spain, before it became a steady crop in America. I think it was the African slaves or the Spanish explorers that brought the peanut to America. And it was the Italians who were the first ones to roast and salt the peanuts... yum.
Though, I think it was some American dude who "invented" peanut butter... he was looking for an easily digestible high protein food for poor people.
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