International students, here are 6 American snacks to send home to your family

It can be a headache thinking of what to buy from US as a souvenir for family and friends back home.

Instead of getting them clothes or cosmetics, why not get them snacks that can only be found in the country? 

When it comes to food choices, no country offers as much abundance as the US. From candies to greasy burgers to simple doughnuts, the possibilities are endless.

Each of these selections has its unique flavours and textures that’ll surprise your family and friends back home in the best way possible. 

We’re all familiar with more popular snacks such as Cheetos, Sour Patches and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But there are plenty of other tasty snacks to bring home that is exclusive only to the region.

Most of these well-loved American snacks are widely available in supermarkets or in smaller-scale grocery stores so you don’t have to go out of your way to get them.

Below we’ve handpicked some snacks to help you decide on what to buy from US that’s worthwhile:

1. Beef jerky 

Modern-day beef jerky started with the Indigenous societies of the Andes mountains in Peru. The Quechua, a South American tribe, called it “ch’arki” – which translates into “to burn meat.”

Today, you’ll find beef jerky in many flavours, from barbeque to peppered and teriyaki.

Find out which beef jerky is the best to buy here. 

Fun fact: Nigeria has their own variation of this called “kilishi” and it’s usually spicy.

2. Pretzels 

Pretzels were originally introduced by southern German and Swiss German immigrants in the 18th century. 

National Today reports that an average American eats about one and a half pounds of pretzels every year. 

Pennsylvania is the American pretzel-making capital, producing 80% of the US-made pretzels.

Already have pretzels back home? Check out different brands and flavours only available in the US here.

3. Candy corn

Candy corn is a staple candy of the fall season and Halloween in North America. 

This small, pyramid-shaped candy is typically divided into three sections with different colours and flavoured with honey, sugar, butter and vanilla.

In recent years, manufacturers have also introduced other flavours such as peppermint and pumpkin spice.

Many say it’s a polarising snack — it’s either you love it or you hate it.

4. Cheetos

This Texas-founded snack is among the top selling snacks in America. Cheetos are crunchy cheese puffs that are made with real cheese and they are also now famous for their extremely hot cheese flavour. 

While the original Cheetos are still produced, there are 21 different types of Cheetos in North America alone. 

You can’t go wrong with Cheetos when thinking of what to buy from US.

5. Jolly Ranchers

Considered one of the best fruity hard candies, Jolly Ranchers have bold flavours, like sour and even spicy cinnamon.

The texture varies too — there are chewy candy and chewy candy with a hard shell on the outside.

The red flavours are so popular that you can get an entire bag exclusively with them. These red flavours are cherry, fruit punch, watermelon, and strawberry.

6. Warheads 

Fans of sour candies will love Warheads. This hard candy is coated in an intense sour powder covering a sweet lemony candy.

It was invented in Taiwan in 1975 and was first imported to the US in 1993. But they have since remained exclusive to America and Canada.

They also have chewy candy, spray candy, and candy canes for the holidays. The candy canes are not as sour, but the sourness remains throughout the experience.

The next time someone asks you what to buy from US, make sure Warheads are on the ist.