International English food terms

China Product


List

US

Canada divan beds

UK wicker chair

Australia furniture resin wicker

Dairy, eggs & meat

whole milk

homogenized or 3% milk

full fat or whole milk

full-cream milk

skim, fat free, or nonfat milk

skimmed milk, skim milk

skimmed milk

skim milk

2% milk

2% milk

semi-skimmed milk

light milk

large egg

large egg

medium egg

large egg

ground meat or minced meat

ground or minced meat

mince or minced meat

mince

Produce/vegetables

green onion or scallion

green onion

spring onion (scallion in some areas)

spring onion

cilantro

cilantro

coriander

coriander

cantelope

cantelope

canteloupe

cantelope or rockmelon

zucchini

zucchini

courgette

zucchini

squash

squash

marrow or squash marrow specifically refers to a large, green elongated squash with white flesh

squash

eggplant

eggplant

aubergine

eggplant

garbanzo or chickpea

chickpea

chickpea

chickpea

navy beans

haricots

haricot beans

haricot beans

chard

chard

silverbeet or chard

silverbeet

bell peppers or green/red/yellow peppers

green peppers or bell peppers

green peppers

capsicum

chili peppers, hot peppers, or by individual name (jalapeno, eg.)

 ???

Chillis

Chillis

Prepared foods

pickle

pickle (gherkin refers specifically to a "dwarf" pickle)

gherkin

gherkin

bouillon or stock cube

stock cube

stock cube

stock cube

French fries or fries, or steak fries (for thicker versions) Also "Fish and Chips"

French fries, fries, or chips, depending on region. Also "Fish and Chips"

chips or French fries

Chips

chips or potato chips

chips or potato chips

crisps

potato chips

apple crisp or apple crumble

apple crisp or apple crumble

apple crumble

apple crumble

ketchup or catsup

ketchup

tomato ketchup or tomato sauce

tomato sauce

Baking and baked goods

bread flour

bread flour

strong flour

bread flour

all-purpose flour

all-purpose flour

plain flour

plain flour

self-rising flour

self-rising flour

self-raising flour

self-raising flour

cornstarch

cornstarch

corn flour

cornflour

golden raisins

sultana raisins

sultanas

sultanas

cane syrup, corn syrup, or karo syrup

corn syrup

golden syrup or light treacle

golden syrup

molasses

molasses

molasses - treacle describes a lighter molasses

molasses

Powdered sugar or confectioner's sugar

icing sugar or confectionery sugar

icing sugar

icing sugar

superfine sugar

 ? sugar

castor sugar

caster sugar

popover

Yorkshire pudding

Yorkshire pudding

Yorkshire pudding

raisin-studded pudding

 ????

spotted dick

no equivalent

Drinks

lemonade

lemonade

traditional, cloudy or still lemonade

lemon squash

soda, pop, soda pop, cola, coke, or soft drink

pop

soft drink, fizzy drink, pop or juice (Scotland)

soft drink

lemon-lime soda/pop, or a brand name (e.g. Sprite)

lemon or lemon-lime drink

lemonade

lemonade

fruit drink concentrate

fruit concentrate

squash or cordial

cordial

apple juice or cider

apple juice or cider

apple juice

sparkling apple juice

hard cider

cider or hard cider

cider

cider

vermouth

martini

vermouth

vermouth (Pron. Ver-MOOTH)

Sweets

dessert

dessert

dessert or pudding (in addition to the use describing pudding)

dessert

Jell-o, Jello, jello or gelatin

Jell-o, Jello, jello or gelatin

jelly

jelly

cookie

cookie (unless referring to tea biscuits, for example)

biscuit

biscuit

biscuit

biscuit

scone

scone

Peak Freen and British Digestive Biscuits Common in the North East

Digestive cookie

Digestive biscuit

Digestive biscuit

Techniques

grilling or broiling

grilling or broiling

grilling

grilling

Digestive biscuits and Graham crackers

These two items are fairly different, but are used similarly (e.g. to make crumb crusts for a cheesecake). Graham crackers are sweeter, and are available in different flavors (e.g. cinnamon, chocolate). Digestive biscuits are richer, and while slightly sweet, are often used eaten with cheese. They are also available coated on one side with milk or dark chocolate. Digestive Biscuits common in the Northeast US, served with tea and given to children. Peak Freen a common brand in the US, however the original producer McVities still produces the biscuit in the UK  !

Chips and French fries (Australia)

In Australia, deep fried potato sticks are called "chips".

Apple Juice, Cider and Hard Cider

In America, fermented apple juice is called "hard cider". "Apple cider" refers to unfiltered (un-fermented) apple juice, typically pasteurized to make it shelf-stable. In New England and parts of Canada, "fresh cider" or sweet cider refers to fresh pressed apple juice; this is unlike any commercial product, and can be found at farm stands and orchards..

American cider (both fresh and hard) is sometimes also made from pears. This is referred to as "pear cider," and is equivalent to perry.

See also

American and British English differences

British Approved Name

Gourmet Library and museum

Culinary Food Terms

Categories: Food and drink terminologyHidden categories: Articles lacking sources from March 2008 | All articles lacking sources