As a nation known for its love of tea, crumpets, and a good hearty roast dinner, it’s no surprise that British people often find themselves missing certain home comforts when living abroad.
Whether it’s a lack of proper marmalade for their toast or the absence of a cosy pub on their local high street, certain things can make even the most adventurous expat long for the comforts of home. Nigella Lawson, for example, has said that she carries a tube of English mustard wherever she travels.
If you’re a Brit living abroad, there are undoubtedly things you miss from Blighty, and you’re not alone — a recent study revealed the things Brits abroad miss the most. We’ve put together some of the top home comforts that British expats miss when exploring the world and how you can get them delivered wherever you are. Ready to get stuck in?
UK Home Comfort #1 — Tea
As cliche as it is, Brits love a good cuppa. A cup of tea is almost as ubiquitous in Britain as breathing air. Brits often miss the variety available back home, from plain old builders’ tea to traditional English Breakfast, Earl Grey, green and mint teas.
Though some brands are available outside of Britain (and some local teas are delicious!), they usually don’t quite hit the same spot as a good ol’ cup of PG Tips or Yorkshire Tea!
UK Home Comfort #2 Jaffa Cakes
Jaffa Cakes are a delicious snack made of a sponge cake base, jelly topping, and chocolate coating. These sugary treats come in packs of 12 and can be found everywhere, from cafes to supermarkets.
McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes are a big hit with Brits, and it’s effortless to get through a whole pack in one sitting (with or without company). But while some grocery stores abroad stock them, they can be tricky to get hold of outside the UK.
UK Home Comfort #3 British Chocolate
Who doesn’t love chocolate? But if you’re from Britain, you know there’s nothing like Cadbury’s Dairy Milk or Galaxy bars — both iconic brands that taste just different enough from other chocolates worldwide to make them stand out. Unfortunately for expats, these beloved chocolates can be challenging to track down outside Britain unless you want to pay an arm and a leg for them at specialty stores.
UK Home Comfort #4 Heinz Baked Beans:
Baked beans have long been considered an essential part of the classic British breakfast, but there’s no denying that Heinz is the brand everyone knows and loves. While some countries have their own versions of baked beans, these often lack the tomato-y sweetness that makes Heinz so unique. It’s definitely something British expats miss when they move away. After all, what’s a full English breakfast without beans?
UK Home Comfort #5 Bisto Gravy Granules
Aaaaah Bisto! Bisto gravy granules are another British staple — alongside using them to make gravy, they can add extra flavor to all sorts of dishes — ranging from roasts to mash potatoes. Unfortunately, this beloved product isn’t easily found outside Britain, so many expats have to settle for less flavorful alternatives when cooking their favorite dishes.
How to Get Your UK Home Comforts Wherever You Are
Even if you’re living in the sunniest parts of Australia or the USA, there will always be a part of you that yearns for home. And while nothing can compare to being in your homeland, there are ways to bring a little bit of Britain into your life no matter where you are.
The good news is that you can find some of your favorite UK products in some shops and specialist stores. However, these products can be expensive and hard to find.
One way to get your favorite UK products delivered is to get your friends and family in the UK to send you a care package of all your top products. However, this can be expensive, and while they’re sure to be happy to help out initially, you don’t want to keep burdening them with trips to the post office.
A better option may be to sign up for a UK parcel forwarding service. This service allows you to easily order your favorite UK products from shops like Waitrose and Marks and Spencer and have them delivered to your forwarding provider, who will send the products to you.
