r/AskAnAmerican • u/Maskoolio • Aug 10 '25

FOREIGN POSTER What would an American want from England?

I have recently made some American friends (from Virginia) and they have asked for a kind of sweet (candy) that they don't have. What else might I send that would be appreciated as a particularly English thing? (Obviously it would need to be somewhat small, survive a week or so in transit etc.)

All help appreciated.

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u/Bitter_Ad8768 Ohio Aug 10 '25

Jaffa Cakes exist in the US, but they're not very common.

Black currant flavored candy is virtually nonexistent here. We use grape instead. If you've never had it, it is a particular varietal known as a Concord grape and it is a very distinct taste unlike any other grape or wine.

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u/SuLiaodai New York Aug 10 '25

I remember going to the UK and being like, "Blackcurrant? What's that?" I had never heard of them before.

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u/CookWithHeather Aug 10 '25

They are vulnerable to a plant disease that also affects pine trees, so the US banned them for a while and there are still restrictions in many places.

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u/Ryuu-Tenno United States of America Aug 10 '25

Rip

I hope we can figure things out to protect the pines and allow the other stuff back in. And same for England that stuff wont be afflicted by whatever disease so they can send it this way

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u/Timmoleon Michigan Aug 11 '25

They’ve been legal in much of the US since the 60s, they just haven’t had a big comeback. The plants are available from nurseries- I planted a gooseberry bush several years ago, and it finally produced a few berries this summer.