The American food landscape is not as uniform as it may seem. While we all share the same major, national chains, our local tastes remain potent. Every state has its own unique culinary identity. This is often reflected in a specific, locally produced grocery item that is almost unknown to the rest of the country. These items are a source of intense local pride. They are a weird and wonderful sign of the regional diversity that still exists in our food culture.
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1. Muenster Cheese (in Wisconsin)
While you can find Muenster cheese in most parts of the U.S., it is a completely different product in Wisconsin. The standard, plastic-wrapped Muenster in a regular grocery store is a very bland, mild, and rubbery cheese. The “Wisconsin” Muenster that is sold in that state is an artisanal, brined cheese. It often has a much more pungent, “funky” flavor. It is a beloved local specialty that would shock an outsider.
2. Kewpie Mayonnaise (in Hawaii)
Kewpie mayonnaise is a Japanese brand that has a massive, cult-like following in Hawaii. It is the go-to condiment for a huge number of local dishes, from poke bowls to macaroni salad. It is so popular that you can find it in large squeeze bottles in almost every grocery store on the islands. On the mainland, however, it is still a niche, specialty item.
3. Bison Dip (in North Dakota)
In North Dakota, one of the most popular items in the deli section is a regional specialty known as “bison dip.” This is a creamy, savory dip similar to French onion dip. It is made by a local, family-owned company called “Happy Harry’s.” It is a staple at every party and tailgate in the state, but it is almost completely unknown outside of the region.
4. Frozen Custard (in Wisconsin)
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While the rest of the country is focused on ice cream, Wisconsin is the land of frozen custard. This is a richer, denser, and creamier frozen dessert that is made with egg yolks. The freezer aisles of a Wisconsin grocery store are filled with a huge variety of local frozen custard brands. This is a product that is not as common in other parts of the country.
5. Cheerwine (in North Carolina)
Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink that has been made in North Carolina since 1917. In that state, it is an absolute institution. You can find it on tap in every restaurant and in every grocery store. While the brand has tried to expand its distribution, it has never been able to replicate its massive, regional success. For the rest of the country, it is a quirky novelty. For a North Carolinian, it is a taste of home.
6. Goo Goo Clusters (in Tennessee)
The Goo Goo Cluster is a classic American candy bar that was invented in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1912. It is a round, mounded “cluster” of marshmallow, caramel, and peanuts, all covered in milk chocolate. In Tennessee, it is a beloved, nostalgic, and very popular local candy. In other parts of the country, however, it is a much more obscure, regional find.
7. Taylor Pork Roll (in New Jersey)
In New Jersey, “Taylor Pork Roll” is a non-negotiable part of the classic breakfast sandwich. It is a processed, salty pork product that is somewhere between ham and Spam. It is a beloved, local delicacy that is a source of intense state pride. In the rest of the country, however, it is almost completely unknown. This is one of the most famous examples of a food that is wildly popular in only one state.
A Taste of Home
These hyper-local grocery items are a powerful reminder that our food culture is not a monolith. It is a rich and diverse tapestry of local tastes, traditions, and rivalries. These are the foods that give a state its flavor. They are a delicious and very proud symbol of home. The next time you are traveling, make it a point to explore the local grocery store. You might discover a new and weird local favorite.
What is the one hyper-local food item from your state that the rest of the country is missing out on? Let us know in the comments!
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