Learning about different cultures is a significant reason why people choose to travel, and food is a huge part of that. But it’s not just about visiting cafés, restaurants and street food stalls. Another way to learn about local eating habits is by visiting the supermarket to see what everyday items people buy, and what they’ve got that you can’t get back home. 79% of Indian travellers always or often visit local supermarkets abroad, according to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends Report.
So what local foods should you be looking out for on your next trip? Here are four of the best.
1. Brunost, Norway
Brunost, AKA brown cheese, is unlike any cheese you’ve ever eaten. It’s made by boiling milk, cream and whey until the water evaporates and the milk sugars turn into caramel. The result is a dense, fudge-like block with a sweet, tangy and slightly savoury flavour profile.
The texture is smooth and firm, yet it melts on the tongue. To enjoy it like a local, use a cheese slicer to cut a thin ribbon of brunost and place it on a piece of crispbread or a waffle. It also pairs well with a strong cup of coffee.
2. Kewpie mayonnaise, Japan
Head straight to the condiment section and you’ll spot a soft, squeezable plastic bottle topped with a red cap. This is Kewpie mayonnaise. Unlike Western mayonnaise, which typically uses whole eggs and white vinegar, Kewpie is made using only egg yolks and rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar. This gives it a richer, creamier texture, a slightly sweeter taste with an umami kick, and its signature golden hue.
Use Kewpie as a dip for crisps or vegetable sticks for an easy snack, or as part of a Japanese egg sandwich (tamago sando) – it’s the secret ingredient that makes them so delicious.
3. Tim Tams, Australia
Walk down the biscuit aisle of a Woolworths or Coles in Australia and you’ll be met with a wall of chocolate. Among them? The beloved biscuit, Tim Tams. A Tim Tam consists of two layers of malted biscuit separated by a light chocolate cream filling, all textured and coated in a thin layer of chocolate. It’s satisfying, but not sickly.
While you could just eat one in a few bites, you can also attempt the Tim Tam Slam for the true Aussie experience:
- Bite off two opposite corners of the biscuit.
- Dunk one open end into a hot drink.
- Use the biscuit as a straw to suck the hot liquid through the other open end.
- As soon as you feel the liquid hit your tongue, put the melting biscuit into your mouth before it disintegrates.
4. Ajvar, The Balkans
A trip to a supermarket in Croatia, Serbia or North Macedonia will reveal jars of a vibrant red spread known as Ajvar. Ajvar is a roasted red pepper relish, often combined with aubergine, garlic and chilli. The vegetables are roasted until smoky, peeled, minced, and then slow-cooked with oil for hours. It ranges from sweet (blagi) to spicy (ljuti).
Ajvar is very versatile. It elevates every dish, transforming crusty white bread into a meal and grilled meat into a feast. You can also stir a spoonful into scrambled eggs or use it as a base for pasta sauces.
Next time you’re abroad, resist the urge to stick to familiar brands. Walk into a local supermarket, grab a basket, and hunt for one of these items. You’ll taste the authentic flavours that fuel the locals every day.
