20 American food and drinks that confuse the rest of the world

That weirdly orange "cheese" in a can is almost more American than apple pie, which isn’t even that American, to be honest. You probably had it at some point as a kid at a birthday party or novelty snack.

In Europe, espresso is king. In Turkey and neighboring countries, coffee is boiled in a cezve. In Southeast Asia, it’s often sweetened with egg or condensed milk. In America, we…add water? Yup, your standard Starbucks drink doesn’t taste good to people around the world. But if you insist, specify you want an “American coffee” when traveling. 

Drive-thrus do exist outside the US, but they’re nowhere near as common. From fast food to coffee stands and liquor stores, banks, and pharmacies, there’s nothing as American as staying in your car for most of the day!

You know that meme of British people losing their minds over Americans microwaving water for tea? Well, that’s because electric kettles and/or stove-top teapots are the norm in most of the world. Not us, though!

I always find it odd that popcorn (especially the microwaveable kind) isn’t as common abroad. Usually, you’ll find it sold at carnivals or Christmas markets as a special treat but not as a standard in the snack aisle.

You might find variations in other countries, but a nice thick pan of sweet cornbread is a classic American dish. It would confuse most at tables abroad.

Europeans love Nutella, but for some reason, peanut butter isn’t as common outside the US. Thus, PB&J, peanut butter and apples, or peanut butter cookies are quite rare on the international circuit.

Ah, yes, cornbread and a hot dog — truly a combination only Americans would come up with. Again, it is a delicacy that is difficult to find outside the US.

Never mind that marshmallows aren’t standard. Neither are graham crackers. So, really, the only ingredient you’re guaranteed to find is chocolate. And if you suggest s’mores to your international friends, they’ll laugh at the very American request.

There’s this funny video from years ago where South African comedian Trevor Noah details a bunch of things that confused him when he initially arrived in America. Top of the list? Buffalo wings. He thought it was a part of the buffalo he wasn’t aware of. That’s because buffalo sauce is a uniquely American flavor.

If peanut butter confuses our international counterparts, then, of course, they won’t understand our love of putting it on bread with jam (or jelly). Whenever I mention this to a friend from another country, they laugh at how typically American it is.

In general, decent Mexican food is difficult to find outside the United States. However, our very US creation of Tex-Mex is almost nonexistent abroad.

Sure, lobster exists in many parts of the world. However, putting it on bread rolls is not so common. It seems making things into a sandwich that aren't necessarily meant to be a sandwich is an American tradition.

Whenever American holiday traditions come up, I am undoubtedly always asked about this dish. My international friends ask, “Do people really eat that?” And I always reply, “Yes! And it’s delicious!”

So apple pie is notably missing from this list because, fun fact, it’s actually English in origin. But pumpkin pie is something you will be hard-pressed to find outside the US.

Starbucks might be international, but it still hasn’t quite normalized American love for the pumpkin spice flavor. So, you will find this in Starbucks in countries like France, Japan, and Brazil, but you won’t find it in other cafes or candle shops abroad.

Oh, you thought Orange and General Tsao’s Chicken were Chinese inventions? Well, not exactly. Like Tex-Mex, these are a result of American influence on Chinese flavors. And thus, don’t expect to find them on menus outside the country.

Europeans might have raclette and fondu, but Americans monopolize cheesy pasta. There’s nothing like a nice warm bowl of comfort mac and cheese — no matter the season!

Your favorite birthday cake from your childhood is quite difficult to procure in other countries. I have occasionally had success finding it in “American” sections of grocery stores. (Yes, those exist.)

America’s favorite condiment is often ignored in favor of mayo or even ketchup in many countries.