Local Flavor

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is peruse local grocery stores or markets and see what kinds of foods are available. Instead of taking you on a tour of a local Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay, or Woolworths, I’ll share some tasty South African gems from our pantry. 

Although our household doesn’t consume a huge amount of chutney, it is a very popular condiment here. And this brand, Mrs. H.S. Balls, is preferred by most. With a name like that, how could it not be everyone’s favorite?

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While we’re on the subject of chutney, chutney flavored chips are both popular and delicious! While my favorite brand is actually Simba, Lays will work in a pinch. 

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And I can never again bring up chips without singing the praises of my beloved Nik Naks. Mmmmm. Nik Naks are essentially Cheetos, and like Cheetos, they are essentially delicious. Plus, the packaging is outrageously fantastic. I dare you to see that spray of yellow and pink in the grocery isle and not bring a bag home. 

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Be it known that I love California. California Lem Whizz on the other hand? Not so much. I was expecting a perfect copy of Sprite at half the cost. What I got was something more akin to Mountain Dew made with toilet water. Eew.

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Oatmeal is a nice functional food but not a terribly exciting one. So I give props to the Jungle Oats people for coming up with some snazzy packaging. That’s a real tin box!

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Last but not least, I introduce you to Black Cat peanut butter. PB is one of those products that is not available everywhere you go. In some countries, transplanted Americans have to write home and beg for care packages of peanut butter. Not so here in South Africa.  I greatly appreciate the fact that PB is available here so that my care packages can instead be filled only with jars and jars and jars of salsa. 

Bon appetit.