An American man who relocated to Britain has publicly shared three specific British food items he had never encountered before his move, but which he now declares he "can't live without." The expatriate, who uses the social media handle yankeedoodleintheuk on TikTok, posted a video detailing his newfound culinary passions, stating he is "celebrating British culture, one mishap at a time" and is currently "living his best life."
From Unknown to Essential: A Food Journey
In his video, titled "Three things I didn't even know existed before I moved here," the American expat explains that these discoveries were unexpected yet have profoundly impacted his daily life. He emphasizes that while these items might be commonplace to Britons, they were entirely novel to him prior to his relocation.
1. Chocolate Trifle: A Sweet Revelation
The first item on his list is chocolate trifle, which he stumbled upon in the clearance section of his local shop. "I did a little sneaky peekie, a little recce, towards the clearance section, and I found a chocolate trifle," he recounted. Before moving to the UK, he had no concept of what a trifle was, but now he proudly claims, "I know everything about trifles. I'm a trifle expert." This layered dessert, typically consisting of sponge cake, fruit, custard, and cream, has become a beloved treat for him.
2. Apple Crumble: A Life-Changing Dessert
His second essential find is apple crumble, which he first tasted during a visit in 2014. Describing the experience, he said, "I had my first apple crumble, had that first bite with lashings of custard, I was just - my hair blew back, my hair blew back. I was just 'oh, this is my favourite pudding'." Since that initial taste, he has made it a habit to order apple crumble at every pub he visits, or alternatively, sticky toffee pudding, which he affectionately calls "STP baby."
3. Hot Cross Buns: An Easter Staple
The third item is hot cross buns, which he associated only with a childhood song before moving to Britain. Now, he appreciates them as a toasted treat with butter, especially during the Easter season. "It's something that you put in the toaster, right, and you take it out, you add some butter to it - oh, belissimo, gorgeous," he explained, adding that it has become one of his favorite parts of Easter celebrations.
Community Reactions and Recommendations
Followers on social media quickly engaged with his video, offering their own pudding suggestions in the comments. One person recommended rhubarb crumble, noting that rhubarb is an acquired taste but delicious with hot custard. Another suggested enhancing chocolate trifle with cherries or cherry pie filling to mimic a black forest cake, to which the expat responded, "This is absolute madness and pure genius. I will never forget such a beautiful tip." A third commenter expressed surprise that hot cross buns are not universal, stating, "I'd always assumed they were universal Easter fayre... who knew they're a British thing!"
This story highlights how cultural immersion can lead to unexpected and delightful discoveries, transforming unfamiliar foods into cherished daily essentials. The American expat's journey underscores the rich culinary heritage of Britain, from traditional desserts like trifle and crumble to seasonal baked goods like hot cross buns, all of which have won over a new admirer from across the Atlantic.
