18 Foods With Unexpected Origins

    Think you know where your food comes from? Probably not. Here's 18 foods with unexpected origins, as discovered by flavour experts Glorious Foods.

    Alessandra
    by Alessandra

    Community Contributor

    1. Butterscotch

    photos-public-domain.com / Via photos-public-domain.com

    Butterscotch originated in God's own county of Yorkshire, England.

    2. Canadian Bacon

    hcschau.com / Via hcschau.com

    Obvious, right? Nope. Canadian bacon was first eaten in the UK.

    3. Cheesecake

    bakersparadigm.com / Via bakersparadigm.com

    Think this classic originated in New York? It was the Ancient Greeks that first created cheesecake!

    4. Chilli Con Carne

    spar.co.uk / Via spar.co.uk

    Despite its Mexican flavour, chilli con carne was invented in the US of A.

    5. Danish Pastries

    Flickr: lantmannen_unibake / Via Flickr: lantmannen_unibake

    The first Danish pastries were eaten in Austria - its Danish name, wienerbrød, translates to 'Viennese Bread'.

    6. English Muffin

    ruhlman.com / Via ruhlman.com

    Contrary to its name, sources say that the English muffin was first used as a vessel for butter in both Germany and the USA.

    7. Fajitas

    mumsnet.com / Via mumsnet.com

    Texas can take credit for creating the fantastic fajita.

    8. Fish and Chips

    colmansfishandchips.com / Via colmansfishandchips.com

    Think the humble fish supper is a British classic? Think again - fish and chips has origins in Belgium, France, Portugal and Spain!

    9. Fortune Cookie

    hungryhouse.co.uk / Via hungryhouse.co.uk

    Despite receiving a fortune cookie after a meal at most Chinese restaurants, the fortune cookie originates from Japan and the USA.

    10. French Fries

    collegecandy.com / Via collegecandy.com

    Whether you call them chips, fries or pommes frites, there's no disputing where these came from; French fries were first eaten - with mayonnaise - in Belgium.

    11. Haggis

    turnbullclan.com / Via turnbullclan.com

    Despite being Scotland's most famous dish, haggis was first eaten in England.

    12. Hot Chocolate

    thepinkpeonyoflejardin.blogspot.co.uk / Via thepinkpeonyoflejardin.blogspot.co.uk

    Despite it being hotter than hot south of the border, it's the Mexicans that we can thank for creating delicious hot chocolate.

    13. Kiwi Fruit

    spar.co.uk / Via spar.co.uk

    Although they share a name with the bird from New Zealand, kiwi fruit originates from China (they're also known as Chinese gooseberries).

    14. Noodle Chop Suey

    pikachakula.com / Via pikachakula.com

    You might find it in most Chinese restaurants, but noodle chop suey was first created in the USA.

    15. Pasta

    ifood.tv / Via ifood.tv

    Pasta must be Italian, right? Wrong - pasta was first created in China!

    16. Scotch Egg

    londoncoffeenetwork.com / Via londoncoffeenetwork.com

    They might be a British picnic classic, but the scotch egg has evolved from an Indian dish - nargis kebab.

    17. Vindaloo

    chilefoundry.com / Via chilefoundry.com

    Although it's a staple on most Indian restaurant menus, the vindaloo originated in Portugal.

    18. Worcestershire Sauce

    wenderly.com / Via wenderly.com

    Despite its deceptive name, Worcestershire sauce actually originated in Bengal!

    Want to test your exotic foodie knowledge? Visit the Glorious! Foods Gastrography Quiz!