As more and more people today become more aware of the foods they eat and are leaning towards healthy eating without sacrificing quality and flavor, many traditional big box grocery stores now fall flat in offering exciting ingredients most food enthusiasts and home cooks are searching for.
Thus, it is no longer surprising that ethnic food grocery chains have thrived and expanded to various locations in many parts of the country. You can also find many independently owned markets dotting the landscape of the city offering authentic flavors and ingredients from the land they are representing.
Residents of metropolitan cities like Los Angeles don’t have a shortage of these ethnic grocers as various cultures are represented in a very dense population. But even the suburbs also have a diverse cultural landscape, allowing shoppers to visit and browse different ethnic groceries to get their hands on authentic ingredients from different nooks and corners of the globe.
Don’t worry if you are not well-versed with the language or you have never visited an ethnic grocery before.It is an experience that is all about discovering new things and enjoyingeverything at the same time.
Visit with an Open Mind
Ethnic groceries will most possibly carry ingredients that you don’t see in typical American groceries. So, relax, and enjoy seeing new cool things or even weird ones!
Never Assume That They are Not English Speakers
This one is a somewhat annoying cliche! Yes, it could have been true years ago when typical ethnic markets were just small storefronts. It might also continue to be true in the very small “hole-in-the-wall” stores in neighborhoods with dense populations.
Today, however, many great ethnic groceries are savvy and big businesses that want both the Americanized and Americans to visit and spend their cash in their markets rather than those big box names. Owners and staff members of these ethnic groceries mostly speak English.
Layouts Similar to Local Groceries
The layout of bigger ethnic groceries is almost the same as that in your typical local groceries. Fresh produce can be found in the outer isles, while the inner isles feature all the prepackaged goods and ingredients. If not, you can always browse through the entire shop. You will be surprised how time will fly because the experience is just so much fun.
Talk to Other Shoppers
Don’t feel intimidated to ask questions or talk to your fellow shoppers in the aisles. Chances are the person next to you knows the difference between Jasmine and Basmati rice.
Try New Things
Does that block of cheese look too enticing? Are the fruits looking like they are telling you to take them home? The main reason for visiting an ethnic grocery is to see new things there. Don’t hesitate to take home items that you haven’t tried before or may be unsure how to cook. Check online to look for a recipe and give it a try. You might surprise you and discover that cooking traditional ethnic recipes isn’t as difficult as it seems.
If you are too busy to go out and shop for your groceries, use Bakkal – Ethnic Grocery Delivery Mobile App for the most convenient shopping experience!
