Many things are often taken for granted, particularly concerning food.
Meals
and
groceries
can arrive at our doorsteps with just a press of a button.
Social media
It has become more convenient for us to uncover fresh and thrilling recipes. Plus, we can locate almost any ingredient we might desire—whether at regular grocery stores or through the internet.
However, that hasn’t always been true. Prior to advancements in agricultural technology and the implementation of international free trade agreements, which altered how we consume food, our choices were significantly more limited. Since I am technically, I don’t have personal knowledge of those times differently.
Gen Z
), but my parents have shared stories with me about the disappointing canned and frozen veggies from their younger days, which aren’t anywhere near as favored nowadays.
Nevertheless, a popular Reddit thread shed light on just how distinct our food systems once were. It originated from the subreddit.
r/AskOldPeople
A user asked, “Which foods weren’t around 30-40 years ago but are commonplace today and might astonish younger generations?” The responses turned out to be quite interesting, indeed.
shocking
.
I’ve gathered some of the most intriguing instances of foods that were initially rare but have become ubiquitous—and in certain situations, they might have supplanted formerly popular choices. Do you have more to add? Feel free to share them in the comments section.
Tofu
You can find
tofu
On display in almost every grocery store today, with various brands and degrees of firmness available for selection. However, this wasn’t always so commonplace just a few decades back. As a Reddit user commented, “About three decades ago, you would have needed to visit specialized shops to get such products.” They further noted, “Supermarkets might carry at most one vegetarian alternative as an uncommon choice for ‘mock meat’ if you were fortunate enough.”
In earlier times, health-focused natural food stores and supermarkets within East Asian neighborhoods were typically where one could find tofu before its popularity grew amongst other demographics.
Salad Greens
Throughout much of the 20th century, lettuce choices were predominantly restricted to iceberg. Other varieties of greens existed but weren’t typically consumed. As recounted by a user who operated a salad bar in the ’80s, “We utilized kale merely as decoration between serving dishes at the buffet, and it was common practice to reuse this kale over several days.” The same individual expressed surprise upon discovering years afterward that some actually consume kale.
Individuals living near a home garden might have experienced greater contact with various kinds of green vegetables. However, numerous Americans adhered to a narrow understanding of what a salad could entail. One user commented, “As a child, the only type of salad available to me consisted solely of iceberg lettuce drowning in ranch dressing.” This experience led them to develop an aversion towards salads until they matured and encountered options like spinach.
balsamic vinaigrette
.”
Out of Season and Tropical Fruits
Regardless of the season, you can find nearly every type of fruit or vegetable you might want at the supermarket. However, previous generations had limited choices as they only had access to produce that was in season and locally sourced.
Many users recalled getting oranges in their Christmas stockings since fresh citrus was a special delight beyond the warmer coastlines. This scarcity also applied to produce from tropical regions within and outside the U.S., such as avocados, mangoes, and pineapples, which were not commonly seen across various parts of America. However, the one fruit that came up repeatedly among Reddit users was the kiwi.
One commenter reminisced about the arrival of kiwis, noting how everyone wondered what those fuzzy green fruits were. Back in 1977, another user recalled, folks were hesitant to take a bite. Now, Redditors appreciate having an array of fruit options unavailable during their youth, yet they also express disappointment as these now widely available fruits seem to lack the rich flavors they once had when they were strictly local and seasonal treats.
Bottled Water
Participants in the Reddit discussion contended that individuals consume
much more water now
Back then, several decades ago, consuming water wasn’t as prevalent unless you were close to a sink, a hose, or a water fountain. “I recall when the idea of drinking eight glasses of water daily began circulating, and nobody could seem to pull it off,” shared one user. “During my childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood, this concept felt impossible. Now, where do people find all this extra water and time to consume it?”
Actually, the idea of bottled water was seen as an absurd expense. One user mentioned, “It wasn’t until I went off to college in 1998 that I even had a bottle of water.” They also recalled thinking at the time how foolish and affluent it appeared.
Hummus
Hummus
It has become a common dip nowadays, but it was hardly found in American supermarkets until the late 1990s. One user confessed, “I can’t recall encountering hummus before 1990.” An additional Redditor concurred, adding, “The first time I tried hummus was back in 1992.”
A person’s initial encounter with hummus happened during a 1996 episode of “Friends.” Soon after, around the early 2000s, hummus gained widespread appeal and transformed into a commonly manufactured item available at supermarkets across the nation.
Naturally Colored Pistachios
You might now connect pistachios with the bright green color at their core.
Dubai chocolate
However, many years back, these nuts didn’t have the color variations we see nowadays. As a Redditor recounted, “Throughout my entire childhood, they used to be colored in a vivid red. Consequently, after eating them, both your hands and lips would also become noticeably reddened.”
Until 1979, pistachios in the U.S. were
largely sourced from Iran
However, since these pistachios were gathered using traditional methods without promptly removing the shells after harvesting, unsightly blemishes would form which were then concealed with red dye. When the Iranian Revolution stopped pistachio shipments to the U.S., domestic growers took over the market and started processing the nuts in a manner that eliminated the need for artificial coloration.
Specialty Coffee
With flavored
cold foams
With choices like single-origin beans, handcrafted pour-overs, and nitrogen-infused cold brew, there are numerous methods to savor your coffee today. This variety was not available a few decades back when coffee selections primarily consisted of regular or decaffeinated versions. As one user from Reddit commented, “Back then we only had plain coffee, and individuals would add their own cream and sugar.” They added, “Can you believe it?”
In the mid-1990s, I was employed at Dunkin’, and it turned into quite a significant event when they introduced Hazelnut and Vanilla flavored coffees.
creamer
However, real coffee was introduced as well,” someone else chimed in. “Later came an EVEN LARGER EXPANSION when space had to be made for the Coffee Coolatta dispensers!
Seedless Fruit
Currently, seedless versions of fruits dominate supermarket shelves, with growers continuously employing advanced farming techniques to create novel seed-free fruit varieties. However, as noted by Redditors, this trend is quite recent.
“One person mentioned that navel oranges were among the first seedless varieties and considered quite novel at the time,” someone commented. Other participants highlighted grapes as an additional instance of this trend. While seedless fruits may be more convenient for consumption, numerous individuals participating in the discussion contended that these changes didn’t necessarily result in overall improvement. “It’s unfortunate how hard it is now to come across seeded watermelons; I believe they taste far superior,” expressed another commenter. “Despite successfully removing the seeds from some produce, it appears we’ve also lost significant flavor along the way.”
