Help! This food is foreign to me!
When shopping for a diverse range of customers, you’ll likely encounter foods you’ve never heard of before. Not to worry! Here are some quick tips to help you track down unusual items.
Google is your best friend
Even the fiercest foodie can encounter an occasional stumper, especially when no picture is attached. A quick search can provide you with helpful information about the product, such as a quick definition and how it’s generally served. (Paneer anyone?). With just a bit of background, you can decide if the item is refrigerated or shelf stable.
Verify the item’s most common use
Maybe you’ve been tasked with finding an item commonly used in Indian cooking, like ghee? Check the international aisle. Never tried kefir? A quick search on your smartphone informs you it is a fermented yogurt-like drink. It’ll be in the dairy section. Never heard of muesli, but you learn it’s akin to cereal and generally eaten for breakfast? Check the cereal aisle, near the oatmeal. Maybe your first guess for udon noodles was with the pasta, but after learning they’re popular in Japanese cooking, you check the international aisle. Jackpot.
A bit of research helps with great replacements, too
Take our good friend ghee. Since learning ghee is a type of clarified butter that’s shelf-stable, you won’t make the mistake of replacing it with a regular ol’ stick of butter when that particular item is out of stock.
To help on your path to an encyclopedic knowledge of all the groceries, here’s a spotlight on a few items you may encounter . . .
Kombucha
Veteran Shoppers can attest to the popularity of this product, but what exactly is it? Kombucha is fermented tea that’s chock-full of gut-friendly probiotics. Kombucha comes in a wide variety of unique flavors. While it’s certainly a beverage, juice or a sugary bottled tea would not be a suitable replacement if kombucha is out of stock. When having to replace kombucha, it’s best to stay in the general category. A different flavor or brand of kombucha, for example, would likely be an acceptable replacement.
Miso
Commonly used in various Asian cuisines to add a rich savory element, miso comes in powder or paste forms. If you’re looking for powder, you can find it with Japanese goods in the international aisle. But if it’s a paste, it will be refrigerated. Check near the tofu! (Miso is derived from soybeans.)
Seitan
If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you’re probably familiar. Otherwise, this product may be new to you. Seitan is a meat substitute that’s made from wheat. If you have to replace this product, make sure you choose another kind of seitan. Other meat substitutes, such as tempeh or tofu-based meats, have a very different texture. You’ll find seitan in the refrigerated section, near other vegan perishables.
Rebecca Ratliff
Site Lead, Chicago
