I wouldn't be surprised that foods are made to different formulas in different countries. For instance, in Taiwan, the McDonald's and KFC taste totally different than here.

There is definitely also the vacation factor, though. Maybe sometimes things just taste better because you're enjoying yourself and expect them to taste better.

On a side note, all of my vacations involve me eating my way through wherever I am So fun!

Yes, I think that different versions of foods and drinks are marketed to other countries. Same thing with other products, like cars. A Honda Civic in the UK isn't the same as the Civic here.

It's always really disappointing to find a product at home that you had somewhere else and it doesn't even vaguely resemble the flavor or texture.

I haven't traveled recently, so I will have to think about that one next time I'm on vacation. However, I do know one thing for sure: Wine never tastes as good as it does when you're drinking it at the vineyard.

where is that picture, Party? I want to eat there.

I loved the chocolate caramel digestive cookies in England and found them at the World's Market here, but they crumble really easily and sometimes are stale.

I just got back from Germany, where Lowenbrau actually tasted good! Did it have to do with the Beergarten setting, a different formulation or just that there is no stigma attached to Lownebrau in Munich?

Yes, absolutely. My husband loves to drink Coca-Cola in other countries because it tastes sweeter, less chemical. We always like to try familiar things in other countries just to see how they are different.

If your father had the beer on tap in Ireland and bottled in America, that could account for some of the difference, right? Plus there are different formulas for foods in different countries, I think they retool their recipies to appeal to the palate of that country. Or they cheapen it because they think no one will notice the difference - like Cadbury chocolate bars sold in the US are totally different than the ones sold in the UK. The ones in the US are made by Hershey and are of a distinctly poorer quality, the UK ones are so creamy and chocolately in comparison.

Chibarosa, Coke made in Mexico is made with sugar, which does make it sweeter than the US corn syrup-sweetened kind. Maybe it's the same in other countries too?

I think it's probably a mix of both factors and tastebubtart...that little one is adorable.

i think that there have been foods that i've eaten while on vacation that taste different but i think that it's partially to do with the produce since we all know that sometimes there are things in the soil that affect the taste of food - but at least there are ways that you can try to bring your vacation back - continuing with the style of food that you had while you were away. i've never found a packaged food to taste that different though.

We were joking with the Irish guy who works at our fav Irish pub about how everyone was drinking Budweiser when we went to Europe. Budweiser? Really?? He said that Budweiser in Europe was VERY different and actually good. I won't be trying it and finding out though as Bud is Bud.

I'm with Chibarosa, in Europe and Asia- CocaCola is always sweeter! It tastes even better with a slice of lemon!