Honestly, I didn't expect too many differences in the food supply between Ireland and the U.S. I knew they'd have fabulous dairy and lamb here, which they do. But I didn't figure on not being able to find a few key staples. These are regulars in the McFadden Ranch diet, so having to search for them was troublesome. We have been able to locate most of these at specialty food stores, or under different names.
1) Black Beans --> These are not popular here. The preferred beans are Baked beans, a cornerstone of the Irish breakfast. Some of my Irish colleagues had not actually heard of black beans.
2) Popcorn (not microwave popcorn, the stuff you actually pop in a popper) --> we finally found some, and it was labelled "American Style" Popcorn --> Mom, just FYI, we didn't actually have to go to a feed lot to find it!
3) Real Maple Syrup --> haven't looked hard enough yet, I guess.
4) Cottage Cheese --> a seasonal offering here, sometimes found next to the specialty cheese, sometimes it's just not in stock
5) Natural Peanut Butter --> we haven't been able to find any without palm oil
6) Baking Soda --> called Bread Soda here and it comes in a bag. Yes, if it doesn't say Arm & Hammer, I really have to hunt!
Maybe we just haven't mastered food shopping here yet!!!
That said, there are some other wonderful foods here.. my favorites: homemade Irish brown bread, Cashel Blue cheese, and Colman's mustard.
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