Your Country's Defining Staples

[Quagmire]

Beans, rice, and corn are big staples here in the American southwest. Lots of Mexican food.

 

[Ella S.]

Ice. We put it in every drink here. We even have iced tea and iced coffee.

From what I understand, ice is not as big outside of America. Even in Canada, they don't seem to have embraced the ice-craze.

 

[InChrist]

Bread and rice are staples where I live as well. Coffee is very common, and I love it myself, but tea seems to be a tad more popular.

I certainly enjoy tea. I have a large selection in my kitchen cabinet. It seems though that coffee is served everywhere in the U.S; restaurants, hotels, gas stations, churches, coffee shops, and drive-through coffee shops on almost every street… besides in homes.

 

[JustGeorge]

Or (probably) biscuits and gravy, and red beans and rice.

I spent a lot of time in the south and there's no denying they have the best truck stop food anywhere. I was always amazed how the cooks down south could take such simple ingredients and turn them into something memorable.

When doing regional cooking, I find I like the south in general(including all southern regions) the best.

 

[exchemist]

What are some foods or drinks that are staples in your country but may be seen as optional or unnecessary by foreigners?

Tea is almost a universal staple in my country. It doesn't matter whether your background is rich, poor, urban, or rural. Tea is one of few products that you could see with equal frequency in extravagant coffee shops or restaurants and the most accessible street stands. There are many other drinks for which most people may not share a taste, but not tea. Never tea!

Tea (Indian or Ceylon) is also a defining staple for the British, in our case softened with a little milk. The Irish are also tea drinkers.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Tea (Indian or Ceylon) is also a defining staple for the British, in our case softened with a little milk. The Irish are also tea drinkers.

Many love milk tea here as well.

What brand of tea do you use? Ahmad Tea and Twinings are my family's go-to choices.

 

[The Hammer]

What are some foods or drinks that are staples in your country but may be seen as optional or unnecessary by foreigners?

Cold super sweet tea.

 

[The Hammer]

Pine needles also are edible and can be used to make a tea, however no one eats them or drinks the tea

We have wild dandelions which are edible but which are considered a bitter tasting weed.

I eat and use both of these for various food purposes

 

[exchemist]

Many love milk tea here as well.

What brand of tea do you use? Ahmad Tea and Twinings are my family's go-to choices.

I make a blend of Assam and Darjeeling FOP (the big leaves, rather than BOP) which I get from Drury's, a London tea merchant. I often put a small pinch of Lapsang Souchong in as well, for a touch of smoky flavour.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Melbourne runs on coffee. It's pretty extreme really.

Melbourne Coffee Culture - Era of We Coffee Forum

Most of us are familiar with the long tradition of Italian espresso bars and Parisian bistros. But how much do you know about the coffee shops and coffee cultur

www.eraofwe.com

 

[Shadow Wolf]

It's definitely not seen as optional or unnecessary by foreigners per your own op

Tea is not optional and is very necessary, you silly kuuuuuuuh-nigit!

 

[Shadow Wolf]

California staples revolve around fresh, farmers markets, and fruits and vegetables. And, of course, California style pizza.
The Indiana is beef, pork (it's a top pork eater), fried, bland and looks like it does on the box.

 

[syo]

What are some foods or drinks that are staples in your country but may be seen as optional or unnecessary by foreigners?

Patsas.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I went through my file of titles and deeds, and as it turns out, I don't have my own country. I wanted to buy Portugal, but I couldn't afford it. I thought I'd own Tibet for sure, but as it turns out, I misunderstood the protest signs. I'll probably have to move forward with my plans to start my own.

As for my primary staple, I've adopted rice as mine, because it's versatile and seasons well. I'm also a cheese-oholic.

Do jelly beans count?

 

[ChristineM]

Today is Fête Nationale (Bastille day) here in France where probably the only food available in restaurants (at least in the South West) is Cassolette.

It's a national dish of beans, sausage, poultryi and pork usually oven cooked in a rich tomato sauce.

 

[John53]

Meat pies, sausage rolls, fish and chips, vegemite, tim tams.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Marmite
Baked beans
HP Sauce (especially on baked beans)
Welsh rarebit (cheese on toast)

 

[VoidCat]

In NC, USA we have grits, biscuits and gravy, sweet tea, banana pudding, fried okra paddies, bbq(eastern and westren NC get into a fight over it) and a nice side of heart disease and high cholesterol.

 

[VoidCat]

Here's a video you might find amusing

 

[Rival]

Escargot (snails)

Cuisses de grenouilles (frogs legs)

I jest of course but on occasion i like to set @Revoltingest going.

Sure they are available but not really a staple

The area i live it tends to be duck as the firm favourite. Magret (duck breast), confit (leg), foie gras (liver pate), gésiers (gizzards)

Over the country a multitude of various types of wine are drunk.

Coissant, baguette, oysters, cheese, charcuterie (cold meats), jambon (ham), saucisson sec (smoked sausage), crepes (thin sweet pancakes), wild mushrooms.

And more

Duck is the best meat. Wish it were more available here.