Discover Canada's food culture and taste unique must-haves!
As a chef in a five-star hotel, I know the charm of good food. Today, I'm going to introduce you to some of the must-buy specialty food products in Canada. Not only do these products have unique tastes and qualities, but they also allow you to enjoy the food while feeling the Canadian culture and lifestyle. Let's explore these mouth-watering delicacies!
1.Kraft peanut butter
If you're a peanut butter lover, then Kraft Light Peanut Butter is definitely the way to go. This peanut butter has a creamy smooth texture and just the right amount of sweetness that is irresistible. In the UK, it's hard to find an alternative to Kraft peanut butter. Every time I go back to Canada, I buy at least a kilogram of Kraft peanut butter to satisfy my cravings.
2.Coffee creamer
Liquid coffee creamer doesn't exist in the UK, much to the surprise of Canadians. In Canada, most people drink milk in their coffee, and even cream is not usually served in cafes. Even though I usually opt for cappuccino, flat white, or Americano when drinking coffee outside, having coffee with creamer at home is always a super comfortable (and delicious) experience. My favorite brand is Silk, which offers classic flavors like vanilla as well as limited edition flavors like maple syrup and dairy-free products in almond milk flavors. Every time I go shopping in Canada, I always bring a box with me.
3.Salad dressing
The salad culture in the UK is different from that of Canada. While the British certainly eat salads, the level of North Americans' obsession with salads is evident, as evidenced by the fast food options and condiment shelves of major grocery chains. Except for some super-expensive dressings or low-grade flavors (like French dressing), you can only choose salad cream. As someone who eats salads regularly, I buy some low-calorie kraft or PC blue menu dressings (e.g. Caesar dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, Greek dressing) from Canada for emergencies.
4.Granola bars
Canada is the birthplace of the Granola energy bar brand, flavor, and variety. Whether you're looking for a relatively healthy or chocolate-wrapped product (basically a camouflaged dessert), Canada has you covered. You can find some granola bars in the UK, but the variety is quite limited. So I like to buy some of my favorite flavors from Canada as a convenient on-the-go snack.
5.Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone supplement used to promote sleep and is taken when I experience insomnia or adjust to a new time zone during travel. In the UK, this product is not available unless you have a prescription. So, I buy a bottle in Canada every once in a while to help myself get through it.
6.Kraft instant noodles
Kraft instant noodles are definitely a must-have in Canadian childhood, and it becomes a sinful pleasure all the way into adulthood. The tantalizing color, the taste of the fake cheese and the minutes it takes to make it make for the perfect hangover food (drink in moderation). My colleague Janeice Rodriguez first tried this product when she moved to Canada from Dubai in 2022 and felt it was a "welcome comfort food" and tasted "unexpectedly good". For a while, it became a must-have gift for visiting relatives and friends from CanadaI'd happily make it for my British friends to taste and see how they react (especially when topped with ketchup).
7.Deodorant stick
Brits prefer spray or roll-on (wet) deodorants. While I've tried both methods over the years, neither has worked for me, and they've never been as effective as this product. Every time I go to Canada, I always have some, and who doesn't like to smell watermelon or strawberries when they're sweating?
These are some of the must-stock food products in Canada. Not only do they have unique tastes and qualities, but they also allow me to better experience the Canadian culture and way of life. I hope you will try these delicacies and feel the unique charm of them!If you have any other must-buy product recommendations in Canada, please share them with us in the comment section!