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Poland's favorite hard-to-find American snacks?


littledebbie  
21 Feb 2013 /  #1
Hello!

I am participating in an international snack exchange with someone from Poland and was hoping to get some insight into Poland's favorite hard-to-find American snacks! I'd love to send my new pal some delicious food without ruining the surprise by asking them for specific wants.

Any info regarding American brands which are/aren't available in Poland would also be helpful.

Thank you bunches in advance! :)
beckski  12 | 1609  
21 Feb 2013 /  #2
Little Debbie products have gone up in price, after the recent demise of Hostess. Off brands may be cheaper in cost to send to Poland.
OP littledebbie  
21 Feb 2013 /  #3
Oh, littledebbie was just my attempted joke of an American snack username. ;)
grubas  12 | 1382  
21 Feb 2013 /  #4
Poland's favorite hard-to-find American snacks!

This sentence doesn't make any sense.

/aren't available in Poland would also be helpful.

I would bet on some peanut butter stuff.
beckski  12 | 1609  
21 Feb 2013 /  #5
I've entertained the thought of exchanging jars of Taco Hell hot sauce, for delicious Polish chocolates from Lublin. Not sure if many folks here are willing to trade their actual name & address with other PF members...
OP littledebbie  
21 Feb 2013 /  #6
littledebbie: Poland's favorite hard-to-find American snacks!
This sentence doesn't make any sense.

How does this not make sense?
American snacks that are difficult or expensive to purchase, despite being well-liked, in Poland.
grubas  12 | 1382  
21 Feb 2013 /  #7
American snacks that are difficult or expensive to purchase, despite being well-liked, in Poland.

It doesn't make sense because if they were well liked they would be available everywhere.I don't know what's your idea of Poland but the reality there is that it is very hard to find any business niche and any "well liked" product would be immediately offered .Now,some brands/flavors may not be available simply because they are not being offered on the market but then they cannot be well liked because they are unknown .Are you following me?It is simple logic.As for snacks being too expensive,come on...

I think Reese's are not available though I may be wrong. Other than that it is hard for me to think of any mainstream brand not being offered in PL.
jasondmzk  
21 Feb 2013 /  #8
It doesn't make sense because if they were well liked they would be available everywhere.

What?? Are you just typing because you enjoy the sound of the keys clacking on your keyboard? That's ridiculous. She didn't say everyone in Poland liked them, she said they were Poland's favorite well-liked snack. Those that know of them being the obvious qualifier, there. I think Lil' Debbie is too sugary a snack-cake for your average Pole, but yeah, us ex-pats wouldn't mind having one every now and then, especially for nostalgia's sake.
grubas  12 | 1382  
21 Feb 2013 /  #9
I've entertained the thought of exchanging jars of Taco Hell hot sauce, for delicious Polish chocolates from Lublin. Not sure if many folks here are willing to trade their actual name & address with other PF members...

Pretty much every Polish brand is easily available in Chicago.

She didn't say everyone in Poland liked them, she said they were Poland's favorite well-liked snack.

Pretty much same thing as it is/should be obvious that there is no snack "everyone in Poland (or anywhere else for that matter) likes".

She didn't say everyone in Poland liked them, she said they were Poland's favorite well-liked snack.

I don't know what's your definition of favorite but to me it means best selling.
bullfrog  6 | 602  
21 Feb 2013 /  #10
us ex-pats wouldn't mind having one every now and then, especially for nostalgia's sake

That's not who she is talking about

with someone from Poland

I gather you mean Polish national or at least someone who has been raised in Poland?
jasondmzk  
21 Feb 2013 /  #11
That's not who she is talking about

Then who? If they're not already in Poland, then where would you have had one of these sugar-bombs? You think she means Poles that tried one elsewhere?
AmerTchr  4 | 201  
21 Feb 2013 /  #12
I think Lil' Debbie is too sugary a snack-cake for your average Pole, but yeah, us ex-pats wouldn't mind having one every now and then, especially for nostalgia's sake.

Ah, Zebra's and the Banana Swiss-style roll cakes.....I'm slipping into a diabetic coma just thinking about 'em.
grubas  12 | 1382  
21 Feb 2013 /  #13
Then who?[/quote
[quote=littledebbie]I am participating in an international snack exchange with someone from Poland

jasondmzk  
21 Feb 2013 /  #14
The exchange is with someone from Poland, yes. Is this for their own respective snackification?
vincent smyd  
21 Feb 2013 /  #15
Anyone thought about origanal Bazooka bubblegum?
OP littledebbie  
21 Feb 2013 /  #16
Pretty much same thing as it is/should be obvious that there is no snack "everyone in Poland (or anywhere else for that matter) likes".

Well, obviously. I think you are reading too much into what I am trying to say. And I definitely don't have a bad idea of may things being "too expensive" in Poland, if you get the impression that I'm being an arrogant American.

I love Tim Tams and Aero bars, but those are not readily available in the USA. I could buy Tim Tams from Australia and have them shipped, but I wouldn't consider that easy or cheap or a "normal" snack. This is what I was going for with this... snacks that Polish people (in general, NOT everyone ever) might really love, but are difficult to procure. Any info from expats regarding things they miss, etc. I think Reese's are a good bet, judging by a couple responses.

But yeah, for a little more detail, I'm not sure if my exchangee is a Polish national, but she is a current citizen. She hasn't been to the USA, at any rate.

Thanks to those that have responded so far!
carlsocm  
21 Feb 2013 /  #17
Hi there, littledebbie and everyone else.

I've never posted here, but this post intrigued me because I'd like to join a snack exchange and I have some ideas. I'm sure if I mention anything too commonly found in Poland forum members will let us know.

Reese's pieces (or cups) are a good idea. From what I've seen in this forum and others, Polish people like their tea so maybe someone here could suggest a tea from the U.S. that your exchange pal would like or you can just send a few samples. How about a couple packets of Kool-Aid, Tang, or Country Time Lemonade also?

For candies, Bazooka bubble gum is also a good idea, as well as Big Red, my personal favorite when ever I want gum. A sampling of a few Jelly Bellies and their weird flavors might be a good idea. I would also include a peanut butter Twix or Chocolove XOXO chocolate bars. It kind of depends on what you think she'll like and where you are. I would not include anything made by Hershey, but of course a couple Little Debbie snacks would be a good idea just because they're sorta traditional even if not everyone's thing.

Poland has pretzels I'm sure, but a bag of Utz pumpernickel flavored pretzel sticks comes to mind, just because Utz is a favorite U.S. brand of pretzels and chips. Have you thought of Slim Jims? I know their quality would probably pale in comparison to Polish deli meats, but they seem to be a staple at all U.S. gas stations and truck stops. How about sending her some Goldfish crackers? I haven't met anyone who doesn't like the habit-forming cheesy little Goldfish!

I've heard people who traveled through Central and East European countries talk about peanut butter withdrawal (gotta send JIF!) and not being able to find salt & vinegar flavored tater chips (Route 11 brand chips are made in my area and have many different flavors your pal might really like), so these are ideas. I would also include sweet tater chips. If you're from my region, you could send boiled peanuts or apple butter, too. How about granola or cereal bars? I see people snacking on those fruit & grain bars or Pop-Tarts a lot.

Good luck! It sounds like fun!
OP littledebbie  
21 Feb 2013 /  #18
Hi Carlsocm,

That was very informative. You actually named a few products that I've already purchased, so I'm glad I'm on the right track! I especially like the Jelly Belly idea, those are always fun.

I am participating in the exchange through the website redditgifts.com. Unfortunately, the matching for this particular snack exchange is over, but they have other themed exchanges throughout the year. You should check it out! I've also heard great things about the direct exchanges through reddit.com/r/snackexchange that happen regularly, but I haven't participated there yet, so I can't personally vouch for it.

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