The most missed foodstuffs of Brit expats

Aisle never change: Most Spanish supermarkets cater for British tastes… at a premium.

Even the most committed, dyed-in-the-wool, never-going-back expat will admit to themselves, deep down in their heart of hearts, that there are at least some things that they miss about the old country…

It might be something abstract, such as the hard-to-define smell of the countryside or the way that a dusting of winter morning frost lifts the spirits. Or it could be something completely tangible, such as proper cider or the chance to hit the high street sales on a seemingly fortnightly basis.

But most expats – even the happiest of the happiest – are usually eager to admit that there are some foodstuffs that the heart simply longs for, no matter where they are living.

Which is what prompted foreign exchange specialists Moneycorp to commission a survey asking British, Australian and Kiwi expats just that: what are the foods that you miss most while living abroad?

The results may surprise you…

Tea, innit?
Ah yes, tea. Of course. Brits in Spain can get decent tea, at an import premium, but it’s one of life’s essentials – such as air and water – so paying a little extra is never up for debate: you’re British, you need tea. And proper tea, not Lipton’s weak-willed excuse.

English Breakfast tea from Twinings is the most missed brew.

According to the survey, Twinings English Breakfast tea was the most yearned-for brew, although Typhoo and Yorkshire Tea ran in closely in second and third place.

Chocs away
Spanish chocolate is decent, and Spain also does a fine range in German and Swiss stuff – think Lindt and Milka. But the king of sweet tooth satisfaction, Cadbury, has long proved an expat favourite.

The delectable delights of Cadbury chocolate.

Again, you can get some Cadbury products in most regions of the Costa del Sol, at a slight premium, but the choice is often limited. It is not surprising, then, that Cadbury products are among the most missed foodstuffs for British expats.

Who’da dunk it?
The third most missed foodstuffs for British expats is the humble Digestive biscuit from McVitie’s. Surprising? Perhaps. It’s a no-frills choice, certainly, but partnered with a steaming mug of tea it really comes into its own as a sturdy dunker.

The dunkable digestive from McVitie’s.

And as the UK’s best-selling biscuit, perhaps it is not surprising that the Digestive is among the most missed products when Brits are abroad.

And the Spanish?
The survey also asked the growing number of Spanish expats what foodstuffs they miss now that they reside overseas? Unsurprisingly, top of the pile was proper cooking chorizo, followed closely by Ibérico and Serrano ham and a good Manchego cheese.

Spanish expats miss a good cooking chorizo.

As any Brit living in any of Britain’s largest cities will know, you can get these foodstuffs relatively easy in the UK, but the quality – and price – is incomparable to Spain.