Americans & Canadians might live on either side of a border, but that doesn’t mean they shop the same way. There are quite a few differences in the things that people from either side buy. Canadians tend to stock some things automatically at home, yet Americans either don’t get them in bulk or don’t buy them at all.
A few of these Canadian staples do exist in America, but they don’t buy them in the same way down south. Here are ten grocery items that Canadians buy in bulk that Americans barely touch. Which one do you like to buy the most often?
Maple syrup in jugs or big tins
Canada produces the majority of the world’s maple syrup, so it should be no surprise that Canadians consume far more of it than Americans do. You can see such a difference in the packaging.
It’s normal to buy large jugs & tins of the stuff in Canada, but in the United States, people tend to buy it in smaller bottles or not at all. They don’t feel the same love for the sweet stuff.
Maple cream cookies
With maple syrup comes all the maple-related treats, like maple cream cookies, a regular grocery store item over here. So many stores will sell big boxes because they’re relatively easy to share or bring to work. You can even hold onto them for visitors.
Yet such a treat is rarely sold in the United States, and that’s why Americans don’t buy them in bulk. They’ll only get them once in a blue moon.
Fresh cheese curds for poutine
You can’t have poutine without cheese curds. It’s a favorite over here that people eat across Canada, and that’s why grocery stores stock fresh curds in large bags. These are more practical for home cooking.
That’s not to say that cheese curds don’t exist in America. But they’re certainly less common across the country, and it’s usually specific regions that eat it, rather than it being an everyday grocery item.
Butter tarts by the tray
One of the most popular Canadian desserts is butter tarts, and you can find them in bakeries & grocery stores all over the country. Most grocery stores sell them in multi-pack trays since they’re so widely eaten.
Any American who does eat butter tarts tends to see them as a Canadian specialty. It’s quite difficult to get them as a bulk bakery product south of the border since they’re more of a novelty treat there.
Peameal bacon
People living in Toronto will know all about peameal bacon, which is essentially a Canadian cured pork product, rolled in cornmeal. It’s rather different from what Americans call “Canadian bacon.”
In fact, you can buy fresh peameal bacon in large cuts at butcher counters up & down the country. But you’ll struggle to find any at all in the United States.
Clam-and-tomato juice blend
Don’t be surprised to find a big bottle of clam-and-tomato juice in a Canadian’s fridge, as it’s the standard base for a Caesar cocktail. People over here buy it in bulk so they can prepare the drinks for brunches or casual weekends.
The mixture tends to keep quite well. Some parts of the United States do stock it, yet it’s not as much of a common grocery store pick-up as it is over here.
Dried summer savory
Summer savory is quite a normal seasoning to use in parts of Atlantic Canada, rather than for special dishes. People use it in stuffing & beans all year long. It’s one of the main reasons people buy it in larger bags, as it’s a practical herb instead of a novelty product.
But it’s far less common in regular recipes in America. People who do buy it over there very rarely get in the large quantities that people in Canada do.
Large-format rolled oats
Rolled oats are a traditional breakfast dish in many Canadian households. But they’re also popular outside of morning times. People use rolled oats for baking & lunches, as well as for quick meals, and that’s why getting them in such a large bag makes a lot of sense.
Sure, oats are popular in the United States, although their oats are different from ours, and they usually go for single-serve options instead.
Gravy granules or powder
You’ll find Canadians using gravy during weeknight dinners & simple meals alike, which is why grocery stores sell it in large tubs. It’s meant to last. People will scoop as much as they need, then keep the rest handy for whenever they need it next.
Gravy in the United States is very different from the kind that we use. They usually only eat brown gravy for certain meals, meaning that they buy the stuff far less frequently than we do.
Coffee whitener powder
Yes, Americans do love their coffee, and so do we Canadians. The difference is that our neighbors south of the border prefer liquid creamers while we tend to buy powdered coffee whitener.
You don’t need to put it in the fridge and it lasts a long time. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that Canadians will buy the stuff in large tubs or refill bags, while Americans will only buy powdered whitener occasionally, if at all.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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