Feed Me: Trying Food from Around the World / Carmen Varner // Travel Influencer, Blogging Coach, Social Media Consultant

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Feed Me: Trying Food from Around the World

  • Wednesday, December 16, 2015

I have many passions in life & food ranks high on the list. One of my favorite things about traveling is trying dishes from around the world. I decided to switch gears a little bit & let you in to a different part of my life: delectable foreign cuisine. I went grocery shopping with my boyfriend at an international market & wanted to share with you some of my purchases. Always explore. Try new things. Stay full. 

international foods



international foods

What it is: Yard Long Beans, Long Green Beans or Chinese Long Beans
Imported from: China

I've actually never tried nor seen these long beans before so I chose to give them a go. They looked like an interesting & unique alternative to your run-of-the-mill green beans, although they were more expensive. They pretty much taste identical to regular green beans, but they are considerably more fun.

international foods


What it is: Gingerbread cookies

Imported from: Moldova (between Romania & Ukraine)

I looooove gingerbread cookies & since it's the festive season of gingerbread men, gingerbread lattes, & basically all things ginger, I opted to get these. They aren't as gingery as I'd like; the flavor is delicate but tasty. These cookies are quite hard & would make a great treat to dunk into your coffee or tea. 

international foods


What it is: Doogh
Imported from: USA (but it's a traditional drink from Iran)

Doogh is an Iranian staple. As a child, I remember going to Persian restaurants with my family & my mom would always order doogh; I hated it back then. Doogh is a carbonated, tart, liquidy yogurt drink. Some varieties add mint. This particular one wasn't carbonated so it didn't have that kick I was looking for. My boyfriend still doesn't like doogh, but considering it took me 20 years to finally enjoy the stuff I think there's hope for him.

international foods


What it is: Halva
Imported from: Lebanon

Halva has multiple spellings (haleweh, helva, halwa, chalva, etc.) & multiple points of origin. This particular one is imported from Lebanon. The packaging describes halva as plain sesame candy. It's basically tahini (sesame seeds), sugar, & vanilla. It's incredibly sweet, has a slightly nutty flavor, & a melt in your mouth texture. It's usually served for breakfast or dessert; you can add it on toasted bread or just eat it by the spoonful, which is what I did as a kid. As an Iranian, I grew up on halva.

international foods




My favorite item from this batch of food from around the world would absolutely be the halva. It tastes great & you can't go wrong with the flavor. Even my boyfriend appreciates it. The yard long beans are great as well since they taste like green beans. They are pricier but worth trying at least once.

Have you tried any of these items before? Which of these looks like something you'd like to try? What's foreign food you love to eat? :]

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48 comments

  1. UnknownDecember 16, 2015 at 4:23 AM

    This is such a cute and unique post! I have never even heard of doogh! I need to get a little more adventurous in my eating!
    xoxo Annie
    http://www.somethingswellblog.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 11:50 AM

      There may be international markets near you so give them a looksee. :]

      Delete
  2. UnknownDecember 16, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    Those Moldova Gingerbread cookies are making me starving!

    Mary Kate
    www.mynewchicagolife.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. AishaDecember 16, 2015 at 7:52 AM

    This post is so interesting !!! :) this food is new for me too. Thanks.

    www.aishettina.blogspot.it

    ReplyDelete
  4. May ChoDecember 16, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    Being a person who basically eats Chinese long beans everyday, it comes as quite a surprise that you've never seen or had them before; it's as common as muck here!

    I've never heard of Halva, though, and it sounds absolutely delicious!

    I'm loving this post, Carmen; it's such a unique and different take on foodie posts!

    May | THE MAYDEN | Bloglovin'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 11:53 AM

      I genuinely had never seen them before. I think because they're a specialty item whereas green beans you can find anywhere. I found them in an international market. :]

      Delete
  5. Lindsey ElyseDecember 16, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    You changed your blog theme! (That or I'm going crazy haha)
    Also, I definitely thought those gingerbread cookies were timbits from the flatlay picture. This was a neat idea :)

    Lindsey Elyse | lindseyginge

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 11:54 AM

      I did change my blog theme! You have a good eye. :]

      Delete
  6. LARA ROSEDecember 16, 2015 at 9:45 AM

    Looks great! Nice blog you have!

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownDecember 16, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    One of the best things about the world we live in is the chance to try delicious food from so many different cultures. Wonderful post!

    Love, Liz
    stylewich.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 11:57 AM

      You are so right, Liz. It's definitely a blessing to have the opportunity to try new foods. Do you have a favorite? :]

      Delete
  8. UnknownDecember 16, 2015 at 12:17 PM

    I love halva, too! The YouTube videos of people trying foods are hilarious! This reminded me of that, but without the reaction of tasting something strange.
    Tasha Juli
    Stylesplendorbliss.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 12:01 PM

      I've seen only a handful of those videos but they are pretty funny. Halva is delicious. :]

      Delete
  9. ndudlagirlDecember 16, 2015 at 2:09 PM

    Gingerbread cookies is a must, we also have it in Ukraine, so cool to see you found it, nice post!

    Check out my latest article on www.ndudlagirl.blogspot.com
    talking about wearing black on black!
    xx, Nataliya

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 12:01 PM

      I love to try Ukrainian made gingerbread cookies! :]

      Delete
  10. UnknownDecember 16, 2015 at 2:17 PM

    This is such a great post!
    http://www.silkypearl.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. stephanieDecember 16, 2015 at 3:38 PM

    Such a cute post! I have been curious about those green beans after seeing them in a couple of stores. Good to know they taste similar. And those cookies!! Now I want ginger bread!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 12:03 PM

      Yes the long green beans are worth an investment because they're just super fun to cook. :]

      Delete
  12. Miel and MintDecember 16, 2015 at 4:07 PM

    LOVE this post & all the foods, girlie! I grew up on halva as well! It is soooooo good! I used to eat loads of it with milk :D I think I have also tried gingerbread cookies (Ukraine is close to Moldova, like you mentioned) :)
    Yumm, I am hungry, and it's not good because it's past midnight :)
    xox Nadia
    http://mielandmint.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 12:03 PM

      Yay for halva. Do you mean you put it in a bowl & eat it with milk? Or you would just eat spoonfuls of it while drinking milk? :]

      Delete
  13. SybilDecember 16, 2015 at 6:15 PM

    this is so interesting!! :D

    Have a great day!
    Animated Confessions

    ReplyDelete
  14. Heather NoireDecember 16, 2015 at 7:41 PM

    it is always a new adventure to try new things especially when you never heard of them before :) loved your post and photos :) http://www.bauchlefashion.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 12:05 PM

      Here's hoping you try some cool, funky foods. :]

      Delete
  15. UnknownDecember 16, 2015 at 10:05 PM

    wow these look so cool and interesting. I would try all of them, my bf and I like to try new foods as well, and we always find something we both like, it's a fun experience!

    -Lily from With Love Lily Rose

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 12:06 PM

      It's definitely a fun experience to try new foods. :]

      Delete
  16. KayDecember 17, 2015 at 3:26 AM

    I adore these kinds of posts!! Halva is one of my favourite snacks ever, very popular in Eastern Europe. :) We get tons of varieties and flavours - my favourite one is rum and raisin halva! x

    Kay
    http://shoesandglitter.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownDecember 17, 2015 at 3:37 AM

    I love trying new food but I am limited due to being a vegetarian.

    Jenn | Jennifer Jayne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 12:07 PM

      I'm vegetarian as well & these are all vegetarian friendly. :]

      Delete
  18. LuxuryColumnistDecember 17, 2015 at 8:32 AM

    The only one that I have tried from your list is halva, which I really liked. Thanks for sharing, really interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Color Me KikiDecember 17, 2015 at 10:44 AM

    I love this post, what a fun idea! I've never tried any of these foods, but the halva looks delicious! Thaks for sharing!
    xo Kiki
    http://colormekiki.com/

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownDecember 17, 2015 at 3:46 PM

    The pictures are great! I love your blog:)

    irenethayer.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Fashioned by PlucheDecember 18, 2015 at 1:26 AM

    I have never tried -or heard, for that matter- of these food/drink. Goes to show that you think 'you've seen it all and you've tried it all', but that there are so many more types and kinds out there!

    Love,
    Dominique

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 12:08 PM

      You are right Dominique! There's always something out there that we haven't tried yet. :]

      Delete
  22. UnknownDecember 18, 2015 at 3:18 AM

    What an amazing concept & holiday gift!! I adore this idea! xo
    http://publiclivessecretrecipes.com/2015/12/where-to-eat-dmk-burger-bar.html

    ReplyDelete
  23. CarbarDecember 18, 2015 at 3:34 PM

    The Canadian in me immediately saw Timbits in those pictures of the Moldova gingerbread cookies, haha! I love ginger/gingerbread flavoured things so one day I hope to try them.

    xo Carbar | Hello Carbar

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen VarnerDecember 20, 2015 at 12:08 PM

      It's hard to access Timbits here but I have tried them before! :]

      Delete
  24. stylesprinterDecember 22, 2015 at 8:31 PM

    Have you tried any Russian food?

    http://stylesprinter.com/

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousDecember 27, 2015 at 11:36 AM

    Lebanese food is so yummy...and I'm a huge fan of halva (halaweh), it's actually good for you as it's rich with sesame oils and Tahini... lovely blog btw!
    http://yaansoon.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  26. KellyDecember 27, 2015 at 5:45 PM

    What a cool idea, I love trying unique foods!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading & writing. :] // ▲

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