British Chocolate Is The Favourite – At Home And Away

What’s your favourite chocolate bar? Galaxy? Lindt? Green & Black? In 2018, a UK survey created a chocolate popularity contest which named Cadbury Dairy Milk as the national winner.

The survey by savings website vouchercodes.co.uk positioned Cadbury Dairy Milk as the UK’S favourite chocolate bar. The top ten results were:

1. Cadbury Dairy Milk
2. Snickers
3. Bounty
4. Flake
5. Twirl
6. Mars Bar
7. Twix
8. Kit Kat Chunky
9. Kit Kat
10. Crunchie

But the survey revealed many other statistics about Britain’s chocolate obsession.

Chocolate Preferences Divide Audiences

The UK’s Channel 5 used the survey results to create a tv series about British tastes, starting with chocolate bars. (Later on, they tackled crisps – but that’s another story!)

While the show didn’t get a lot of favourable reviews, the results caused plenty of online discussion and – in some cases – indignation.

Many people joined the online debate to dispute the ranking of their personal favourites. Others suggested that Dairy Milk doesn’t taste as good as it used to…

Meanwhile, down under, according to Cadbury’s website, their Dairy Milk chocolate is ‘the most popular moulded chocolate bar in Australia’. UK and Irish expats tend to disagree.

Aussie Chocolate Fails The Expat Taste Test

For decades, expats have been convinced the chocolate made in Oz includes an ingredient that stops it melting in high temperatures but alters the taste.

A simple online search reveals a lot of discussion by chocolate-loving expats and some from chocolate experts, but not much from Cadbury.

The British and Irish expats continue to claim their Aussie chocolate – especially Cadbury Dairy Milk – tastes different.

In 2012, Cadbury did file a patent for chocolate that can go for 3 hours in 104°F/40°C before melting. At the time, Kraft Food’s head of corporate affairs (yes, Kraft Food own Cadbury) was widely quoted as saying the chocolate would not taste as good.

Is It Simply A Sweet Memory?

Experts suggest a range of reasons why chocolate might taste different from how you remember or expect. These include variations in the taste of milk from country to country, changes to ingredient quantities or different cooking methods used to produce the chocolate.

And of course, your childhood memories could also play a part.

Luckily, at Best of British, we specialise in childhood memories. Our original British and Irish chocolate bars are imported direct from the UK and Ireland.

So, who really cares what the survey says? You already know what you love. Whether your chocolate heart belongs to Dairy Milk or a Lion Bar, Topic or Bournville, we can help you get your fix.

Both our online store and our shop in Joondalup, Western Australia, are jam-packed with chocolate bars and other treats from home. Pop in and take a look around.

When Is A Chip Not A Chip?

Maybe the real question is when is a chip not a chip? Because your answer to this highly contentious question is a pretty big clue about where you grew up.

Never wondered about the names of these delicious deep-fried slices of potato? Then, chances are, you’re not much of a traveller.

But, every British, Irish, Australian or American abroad has usually, at some point, received a surprise when they’ve ordered chips. Or a shock. Because, depending on where you are, a chip is not always a chip! Confused yet?

A Twitter Chip Debate

In 2016, one Tweet about these deep-fried delights drew Twitter users around the world into the great chip debate. The tweet referred to the above image and stated:

‘The first one is Chips
The second one is Fries
The third one is Crisps’Uproar along with more than 29,000 retweets followed. People around the globe argued or joked about their take on the correct names to use.

We can’t check for an update because the Twitter account that started it all has been removed. But it’s safe to say it proved a divisive subject.

How To Order The Right Chips

We’d like to help you avoid confusion and the frustration of ordering the wrong chips the next time you’re abroad.

So, we’ve put together a handy table to track the most commonly used names for sliced, fried potatoes in Britain and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and America and Canada.

Description	Britain and Ireland:	Australia and New Zealand	America and Canada
Thick, chunky pieces of potato – deep-fried and served hot, often with fish/chicken/steak (salt and vinegar optional)	Chips	Hot chips	Fries
Thin pieces of potato – deep-fried and served hot, often with burgers (think McDonalds).	Fries	Fries	French Fries
Thin, round slices of deep-fried potato sold in sealed bags and served cold.	Crisps	Chips	Chips

What About Other Popular British And Irish Snacks?

And yes, we know we’ve left some questions unanswered. Where do steak, shoestring or skin-on fries fit into the mix? Are corn chips crisps? What about Skips, Quavers, and Monster Munch?

Well, at Best of British, we don’t think a crisp could ever be mistaken for a chip. We should know – we stock loads of different crisps but absolutely no potatoes!

As for the rest… try tweeting about it and you’re sure to get some answers!

Craving Home Comforts? You’re Not Alone!

Why do British and Irish foods trigger such a sense of nostalgia for so many expats who’ve chosen to live abroad?

After all, when you move to a new country, especially one like Australia, you’re usually ready to embrace new experiences. And there’s definitely plenty to love about the Aussie lifestyle – starting with sunshine and sandy beaches. Not to mention BBQs you can reliably schedule in advance!

But, even in the land of kangaroos, koalas and dolphins, occasionally, bouts of homesickness can strike. And you feel the need to reminisce about your life and loved ones in Britain or Ireland.

Not the rainy days, pebble beaches or traffic jams, of course. We’re talking about the fun stuff. A trip to your local pub. A fly-free walk through the rolling countryside. And all the food, drinks and sweets you’ve enjoyed for years.

Sweet Memories Of Home

Tucking into a proper treat like Hula Hoops, Jaffa Cakes or a cup of Barry’s Tea is like taking a quick trip home.

There’s something special about rediscovering the tastes and smells from a place you once lived. It’s like taking a meander down memory lane.

So, what’s an expat in Australia to do? Well, keep calm and read on. Here are three suggestions when you crave your favourite treat or, even, the comforting smell of your trusted laundry powder.

Call Home For A Care Package

You can always ask your family or friends living back home to send a care package. They’ll probably enjoy putting together a selection of treats or grocery products.

But There Are A Few Challenges…

• The cost of sending your package from Britain or Ireland might exceed the cost of the contents.
• If there are chocolates inside (and why wouldn’t there be) – will they survive the trip without melting?
• Finally, there may be problems or extra charges to pay when the parcel goes through customs.

We’re not ones to toot our own horn but, if you like this option, you can order a care package from us.

We’ve already dealt with all of the above hassles for you. So, it’s easy and fun without the frazzle! (Wait… did someone say Frazzles?)

Check Out A Supermarket

Some Aussie supermarkets stock an extremely small range of UK products. They generally order a small number of items in bulk.

Before you buy, check the packaging carefully to ensure you’re getting the authentic product sourced from your home country. And remember, they may not regularly offer the products you love.

Luckily, if you prefer shopping from a family business with a consistently wide selection of products, there are other local options.

Visit Best Of British – Online Or In Our Perth Store

Whether you live in Oz or abroad, you can shop from the huge selection of UK and Irish products in our online store. We’re open 24/7 and we deliver Australia-wide – that makes us a great option for special occasion gifts.

And, if you’re lucky enough to live in Perth – you can pop into our spacious Joondalup store to get your treats-from-home fix.

So, if you’re an expat living in Australia – there’s no need to miss out on the British or Irish foods and products you love. Home’s a little closer than you thought, so relax, reminisce and start enjoying the best of both worlds!