American cuisine is renowned worldwide for its extensive range of flavors and culinary advancements. However, like any cuisine, it also has its set of controversial dishes. While some iconic American foods are beloved by many, others are met with mixed reactions, and some may even repulse non-Americans. In this article, we take a look at 18 American foods that have been known to shock, disgust, or simply baffle those from other cultures.
Grits
Grits are made by cooking cornmeal in water or milk until they are thick and creamy. The cornmeal can be either stone ground or quick-cooking. Stone-ground grits have a more coarse texture and a more robust corn flavor, while quick-cooking grits have a smoother texture and a milder flavor.
Sweet Potato and Marshmallow
Sweet potatoes and marshmallows are famous in the United States, especially during Thanksgiving. It is made with mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, butter, and marshmallows. The sweet potato and marshmallow mixture is baked in the oven until the marshmallows are golden brown and bubbly.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (PB&Js) are among the most popular foods in the United States. They are a classic comfort food enjoyed by people of all ages. However, PB&J is only loved by some. Some people find the peanut butter and jelly combination strange or even disgusting. Others may not like the texture of peanut butter or jelly.
American Cheese
American cheese is a processed cheese heated and treated with chemicals to change its texture and flavor. This process can destroy some of the nutrients in the cheese. Some people do not enjoy the plastic-like nature of ultra-processed food.
Hershey’s Chocolate
Some people believe that Hershey’s chocolate tastes like vomit because of butyric acid in the chocolate. Butyric acid is a compound found in rancid butter, parmesan cheese, and vomit. It has a strong, unpleasant odor and a sour, acrid taste.
Root Beer
Root beer has a unique flavor that is different from everyone’s liking. Its roots and herbs include sassafras, wintergreen, and licorice. These ingredients give root beer its distinct flavor, which some people find unpleasant.
Rocky Mountain Oysters
Rocky Mountain oysters are a popular dish in the American West and Canada. They are thought to have originated with the Native Americans. Rocky Mountain oysters are often served at rodeos and other cowboy events. Rocky Mountain oysters are a dish made from bull testicles. The testicles are skinned, coated in flour, pepper, and salt, then fried or grilled. Rocky Mountain oysters are often served as an appetizer but can also serve as a main course.
Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and waffles is a dish that combines two foods that are typically associated with different flavor profiles. Chicken is typically associated with savory flavors, while waffles are associated with sweet flavors. Some people may find the combination of these two flavors strange or unpleasant.
Twinkies
Twinkies have a unique flavor that is not to everyone’s liking. They are made with a golden yellow sponge cake filled with a sweet white cream and then coated in a thin layer of chocolate. Some people find the taste of Twinkies to be too sweet or artificial.
MoonPies
MoonPies have a soft, chewy texture that is different from everyone’s liking. Some people find the texture of MoonPies to be too sticky or dense. Others prefer to avoid the overly sweet taste of these American favorites.
Fluffernutter Sandwiches
Fluffernutter sandwiches are a popular snack in the United States, especially in the Northeast. They are made with marshmallow fluff and peanut butter on two slices of bread, which some people cannot get their heads around.
Peeps
Peeps are a popular snack food in the United States but have also been criticized for their high sugar content and artificial ingredients. Peeps are also known for their unique texture, which some people find too soft or gummy.
Circus Peanuts
Circus peanuts have a unique flavor that is different from everyone’s liking. They are made with corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, and artificial flavor and color. Some people find circus peanuts’ flavor too sweet or artificial, while others find them to be bland or even unpleasant.
Hot Dogs with All The Trimmings
Hot dogs have a unique flavor that is different from everyone’s liking. They are made with various meats, such as beef, pork, and chicken, as well as spices and preservatives. Some people find hot dogs’ flavor too salty, greasy, or artificial.
Jell-O Salad
Jell-O salad has a unique texture that is different from everyone’s liking. The gelatin in Jello gives the salad a jiggly, bouncy texture. Some people find the texture of jello salad to be off-putting.
Miracle Whip
Miracle Whip has a unique flavor that is different from everyone’s liking. Some people find Miracle Whip’s flavor too sweet, artificial, or tangy. It has a thick, creamy texture that is different from everyone’s liking. Some people find the texture of Miracle Whip to be too slimy or too gloppy.
Kraft Dinner
Kraft Dinner, or macaroni and cheese, is a popular comfort food in North America. However, it is also considered to be a lousy food by many people. One serving of Kraft Dinner contains 570 milligrams of sodium, more than one-quarter of the recommended daily intake for adults.
Spam
Spam is a canned meat product made from pork shoulder, ham meat, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite. It is a popular food in many parts of the world, but it is also considered lousy by many people.
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