The Worst Foods and Drinks in America

[gumby]

I know when it comes to drinks - I really don't dig American beers (with the exception of most micro-brews). Blech.

If you can find it, try ABITA AMBER.

Trust me.

Abita is available at a least a dozen locations within 10 miles of where I live. I'm always up for a new brew.

[Collector]

Starbucks is not very good. Give me a nice dark roast, the darker the better, that has just been roasted. Yum! As for drip makers, there is a wide variation in how good they are. The standard Mr. Coffee makes fairly insipid, bland coffee. Some can rival that of a coffee press for quality. Percolators can make strong coffee, but will destroy the more delicate flavors from the esters of freshly roasted coffee. This may not matter too much with packaged or old coffee that has already lost these subtleties.

[DeadPoolX]

And... you've had non-commercial North American coffee how many times?

Non-commercial, unfortunately, never.

I was thinking both about what is served here in Europe under the name of "American Coffee" and about what I tasted in a Starbucks in Paris. And also about what I often seen on TV. For example, I usually see coffee prepared in something like this:

I don't know what's sold as "American Coffee" but it's probably as inaccurate as "French fries" or "English muffins" or "Canadian bacon."

The coffee maker you see there is a cheap model and often used in offices because it's quick and easy to use. Considering no business is under any obligation to serve coffee to its employees, it's no wonder they cheap out.

What people have at home can differ considerably. Some people will have the type of coffee pots offices have and other people will get higher-end machines. The same is true with coffee -- some people will get cheap crap and others will spend more.

Overall, it's not the machine, but the coffee itself.

Oh and if you were in Paris, what were you doing drinking coffee from Starbucks? I'll hazard a guess and say you were on-the-go and wanted some coffee quick. If that's true, then you've just experienced the reason Starbucks exists and how most Americans view it as well.

What you see on TV is rarely accurate. Unless it's an information-based show (like what you'd find on Animal Planet, the Discovery Channel or the History Channel), you need to realize that what you're seeing is often distorted, simplified or just plain wrong.

TV shows are not real life and they're not intended to be, either. Sitcoms and dramas don't portray real life accurately because real life is often boring. So don't look at TV and think: "This is an American show, therefore whatever occurs on it must accurately portray the American lifestyle."

[Tawmis]

I know when it comes to drinks - I really don't dig American beers (with the exception of most micro-brews). Blech.

If you can find it, try ABITA AMBER.
Trust me.

Abita is available at a least a dozen locations within 10 miles of where I live. I'm always up for a new brew.

I'd begin with ABITA AMBER, which I find to be their best. Then go with the others after that (Purple Haze, Andy Gator, etc)...

[AndreaDraco]

Oh and if you were in Paris, what were you doing drinking coffee from Starbucks? I'll hazard a guess and say you were on-the-go and wanted some coffee quick. If that's true, then you've just experienced the reason Starbucks exists and how most Americans view it as well.

Actually, me and my friend were surprised by rain and Starbucks was the only bar in sight

TV shows are not real life and they're not intended to be, either. Sitcoms and dramas don't portray real life accurately because real life is often boring. So don't look at TV and think: "This is an American show, therefore whatever occurs on it must accurately portray the American lifestyle."

I know that this is generally the case, but I thought that something simple as coffee was probably accurately depicted

[DeadPoolX]

Oh and if you were in Paris, what were you doing drinking coffee from Starbucks? I'll hazard a guess and say you were on-the-go and wanted some coffee quick. If that's true, then you've just experienced the reason Starbucks exists and how most Americans view it as well.

Actually, me and my friend were surprised by rain and Starbucks was the only bar in sight

Wait... you were in Paris and the only coffee house around was Starbucks? Where the hell were you?

TV shows are not real life and they're not intended to be, either. Sitcoms and dramas don't portray real life accurately because real life is often boring. So don't look at TV and think: "This is an American show, therefore whatever occurs on it must accurately portray the American lifestyle."

I know that this is generally the case, but I thought that something simple as coffee was probably accurately depicted

To be honest, not much thought is put into coffee. TV shows use whatever is the cheapest and most readily available (and this goes way beyond coffee or even food and drink).

Unfortunately, television and movies suck at presenting a realistic image of... well, just about anything.

[AndreaDraco]

Wait... you were in Paris and the only coffee house around was Starbucks? Where the hell were you?

Let me rephrase that.

Starbucks were the only bar in sight... where they wouldn't have cleaned our wallet for a single cup of coffee. I distinctly remember one night, or morning actually (it was about 5:00 a.m.), when we wanted some coffee to help us stay awake and we only found a small café in the Voltaire arrondissment. 7.50 euros for two cups of coffee! I was speechless

[Maiandra]

So much better than the doughy ones you get out at the cheap diner places.

Or worse, tough, heavy pancakes.

I don't think I've encountered that as much. I guess that's what happens if they get dried out. I barely ever eat pancakes aren't homemade. I'm less in favour of using purely white flour than many people, so maybe that's why anything that uses that exclusively tastes doughy to me.

I know when it comes to drinks - I really don't dig American beers (with the exception of most micro-brews). Blech.

I think most countries have one or two beers that they're known for outside their country, but that most people from that country don't think are representative of their beer.

I can't stand Molson Canadian, but give me a Big Rock Traditional or Granville Island Winter Ale and I'm very happy. There are so many micro-breweries in both Canada and the US now that I don't think they really are the exception any more.

I hate Starbucks coffee, it tastes burnt.

Me too! I actually find that most coffee you get out taste a bit like that. They make it way too strong, then it sits around for a while. Yuck.

The best coffee I had out is at this place I stay when I'm on business trips. They have a real restaurant for breakfast and the coffee is amazing. Strong and flavourful, but not bitter or burnt tasting. *blissful smile*

Starbucks were the only bar in sight... where they wouldn't have cleaned our wallet for a single cup of coffee. I distinctly remember one night, or morning actually (it was about 5:00 a.m.), when we wanted some coffee to help us stay awake and we only found a small café in the Voltaire arrondissment. 7.50 euros for two cups of coffee! I was speechless

Wow. I thought coffee shops here were expensive, but they're not that bad.

As for "American Coffee" in Europe, my understanding is that they take espresso and mix it with hot water, then call it "Americano" or American Coffee. That isn't really representative of North American coffee, since the beans for regular (to me) coffee and espresso are processed differently. I've tried using espresso beans to make regular coffee and it tastes terrible.

I find that it's a combination of the method and the beans that make good coffee. As DPX said, if you get the pre-ground commercial brands, then it doesn't taste very good. As Collector said, a good drip coffee maker can make a good pot of coffee. I personally use a "French Press" because I don't like using plastic appliances when I'm dealing with hot water.

However, it's also about what you're used to. Regular coffee for you is obviously different than regular coffee for me. Coffee from countries further East is different than both. Even though I've tried Arabic coffee with cardamon and liked it, I certainly wouldn't want it every day. Likewise with espresso. It's just "not my cup of coffee".

As for Quebec, I haven't been there since 1987, when I was quite young, so I can't really say. The impression I got at the time is that they are more "European" than the rest of Canada. However, I notice that people from France are quick to say that people from Quebec are "not French".

The problem with North America is that we live in a convenience culture. In a lot of ways this is reflected in our commercial food. These are the kinds of things that foreigners hear about and they assume that's all there is. While I think the food industry in Canada and the US could stand a lot of improvement, we do actually have good food as well. Not everyone eats it, either because they don't know any different or because they can't be bothered, but it's there. I certainly don't eat most of the highly-processed junk available.

I blame the 50's and the atomic bomb for North American convenience food. People were so excited about science and the "world of tomorrow". Add that to bomb paranoia and little knowledge about nutrition and they created long-life foods. Or at least that's my theory.

"No one knows for sure, but I intend to find out! Reboot!"

[Rath Darkblade]

Somehow I don't see having a sandwich (especially with deli meat and mustard) any less odd than steak for breakfast.

I don't have time in the morning to sit-and-eat, I must dash off to work. So, The bread is rye, the meat is lean - and (which is much more important), the deli makes their own meat every day, so I know it's as fresh as it can be. Plus, I use a thin spread of the Maille Dijonnaise - a very nice blend. Try it.

As for whether a sandwich for breakfast is more odd than steak - I don't fry my sandwich, nor do I pour gravy on it. There's nothing wrong with steak, but it's dinner food, not breakfast food.

the poutine link doesn't work.

I wish I could say I ate a nice and balanced breakfast each morning. Normally its just a few slices of bread (decent bread though not the white icky stuff =P) with some slices of meat on them. Although far too often those slices of bread will have nutella on them instead. Leave me alone, chocolate on bread in the morning is normal here

I used to have that for breakfast when I was younger.

[AndreaDraco]

Thanks Maia, your post is very informative.

And yes, "Caffé Americano" is done exactly like you say

[gumby]

I find that it's a combination of the method and the beans that make good coffee. As DPX said, if you get the pre-ground commercial brands, then it doesn't taste very good. As Collector said, a good drip coffee maker can make a good pot of coffee. I personally use a "French Press" because I don't like using plastic appliances when I'm dealing with hot water.

Yeah, love to grind my own as well. I always thought it tasted better. Until recently, I used a French Press exclusively for brewing coffee at work - until I read that not filtering coffee can raise your cholesterol (something about the oils in the coffee). So still grinding, but drip brewing only for me.

[DeadPoolX]

Somehow I don't see having a sandwich (especially with deli meat and mustard) any less odd than steak for breakfast.

I don't have time in the morning to sit-and-eat, I must dash off to work. So, The bread is rye, the meat is lean - and (which is much more important), the deli makes their own meat every day, so I know it's as fresh as it can be. Plus, I use a thin spread of the Maille Dijonnaise - a very nice blend. Try it.

As for whether a sandwich for breakfast is more odd than steak - I don't fry my sandwich, nor do I pour gravy on it. There's nothing wrong with steak, but it's dinner food, not breakfast food.

I think you misunderstand me, Rath. None of this has ANYTHING to do with you being "on the go" or the sandwich being fried.

I've always known a breakfast sandwich to be some combination of the following: eggs, cheese, bacon, ham or sausage. You won't see deli meat or mustard anywhere.

I think eating a steak or a lunch/dinner sandwich for breakfast equally gross. If that works for you, then great. I'd probably gag if I had that first thing in the morning.

[Rath Darkblade]

I think you misunderstand me, Rath. None of this has ANYTHING to do with you being "on the go" or the sandwich being fried.

I've always known a breakfast sandwich to be some combination of the following: eggs, cheese, bacon, ham or sausage. You won't see deli meat or mustard anywhere.

I think eating a steak or a lunch/dinner sandwich for breakfast equally gross. If that works for you, then great. I'd probably gag if I had that first thing in the morning.

Fair enough. I don't know what "deli meat" means to you, but delis here (at least, most good ones) will sell you sausage, ham and bacon in addition to pastrami variants and other meats. Weekends for me mean omelettes and fried sausage - simple comfort-food. I've also had cheese sandwiches for breakfast - if you like cheese in your breakfast sandwich, try adding a tiny bit of spicy ketchup and toasting/grilling the result - a mini-pizza. Or add some ham or a few slices of tomato, pickle/gherkin, whatever floats your boat.

Now I'm wondering... what is a lunch/dinner sandwich?

[gumby]

I know when it comes to drinks - I really don't dig American beers (with the exception of most micro-brews). Blech.

If you can find it, try ABITA AMBER.
Trust me.

Abita is available at a least a dozen locations within 10 miles of where I live. I'm always up for a new brew.

I'd begin with ABITA AMBER, which I find to be their best. Then go with the others after that (Purple Haze, Andy Gator, etc)...

So, I picked up a 6-pack of Abita IPA today (it was that or the Purple Haze, and I don't really dig fruit beers). If I were to describe it with one word, it would be 'smooth' - for an IPA I didn't think it was possible. Usually IPAs seem to 'bite-back' - maybe give a touch of heartburn (not that I mind IPAs, I love them, one of my favorites). Not this beer, I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Maiandra]

I find that it's a combination of the method and the beans that make good coffee. As DPX said, if you get the pre-ground commercial brands, then it doesn't taste very good. As Collector said, a good drip coffee maker can make a good pot of coffee. I personally use a "French Press" because I don't like using plastic appliances when I'm dealing with hot water.

Yeah, love to grind my own as well. I always thought it tasted better. Until recently, I used a French Press exclusively for brewing coffee at work - until I read that not filtering coffee can raise your cholesterol (something about the oils in the coffee). So still grinding, but drip brewing only for me.

It really does taste better! I guess if cholesterol is an issue for you then that would be something to watch for, depending on how much coffee you drink and your other cooking/eating habits.

It's not really an issue for me and I don't drink much coffee. Plus, I use only monounsaturated oil for cooking and baking, so I don't think I'm exposed to much else that will notably raise my bad cholesterol.