5 Products in France that I Never Found in the USA
Certain things in France are different than what I’m used to.
I’m thinking of products. Have you ever found these things in your grocery store in the US?
- Chocolate chip cookie scented body wash
- American Burger sauce (WTF?)
- Speculoos
- Mint-flavored sparkling water
- Aloe vera toothpaste
Chocolate chip cookie scented body wash
Personally, I don’t want to smell like chocolate chip cookies, but hey. To each their own. I shouldn’t knock it because I haven’t tried it!
The French sell chocolate chips, but not for cookies. They have a pastry called roulé au chocolat; it’s kinda like a cinnamon roll but chocolate chips replace the cinnamon.
American Burger sauce
I’ve never tried this sauce. I’m too scared. Ha! It’s a creamy tomato sauce that’s a bit sweet, mixed with onions and parsley. I think the French put it on their “American” burgers.
Speculoos
I think you can find these Biscoff cookies in the States, but speculoos is extremely popular in France. There are basically two flavors over here: chocolate and speculoos.
Speculoos is originally from Belgium and they make speculoos cookies and speculoos spreads. The flavor tastes like a combination of caramel and gingerbread. You gotta try it if you haven’t, especially with coffee! 😋
Mint-flavored sparkling water
My French friend ordered this when we met at a restaurant for coffee. It was almost noon, so I guess she didn’t want coffee and she ordered Pelligrino with mint syrup instead.
The waiter brought out a glass with this green goo at the bottom and I said, “What is that?!” Turns out mint-flavored bubble water is a thing here.
Aloe vera toothpaste
Ex-squeeze me? No, thank you! I don’t want the taste of aloe vera when I’m brushing my teeth! Mint made me gag when I was pregnant with my kids, but I think I would have died if I had to put aloe vera anywhere near my mouth! Again — to each their own. 😆