American food has no competition when it comes to the world of eccentric sweets.

Although we can proudly praise the globally-recognized features of this star-spangled land where dreams come true, there is one aspect of the States that foreigners and some domestic citizens aren't so satisfied with---a typical American meal consisting of milkshakes, burgers and fries. For some, American food is predictable, boring and ridiculously fattening (not that us Americans care). It is safe to say that comida Americana is not the finest nor most elite delicacy out there. It is time for us Americans to venture out and take a bite out of each and every continent on this beautiful planet. Give these delicious desserts a try!



Tanghulu (China):

Tanghulu is perhaps the most stereotypical Tiananmen Square street food, and the frosting on Chinese children's childhood. These candied hawthorn skewers prove to be a classic and timeless treat in China because of its sweet and sour taste. Its perennial existence during every year's cold and windy autumn season plays a sweet role in every generation since we can remember. The sugary layer on top and the sour notes of the hawthorn are the dynamic duo of the century and beyond, period.

These paper-thin golden pancakes can easily be mistaken for crepes, and are also garnished with similar confections such as jam or whipped cream. In fact, you can hardly tell the difference between the two. Here's the unspoken rule: anything that isn't highly popularized yet is considered indie, and indie is good. In short, we can all appreciate pannkakor simply for its fancy Swedish name. Perhaps we could even consider placing a few Swedish fish on top to emphasize its origin.



Scandinavia:

Pannkakor (Swedish pancakes)

These paper-thin golden pancakes can easily be mistaken for crepes, and are also garnished with similar confections such as jam or whipped cream. In fact, you can hardly tell the difference between the two. Here's the unspoken rule: anything that isn't highly popularized yet is considered indie, and indie is good. In short, we can all appreciate pannkakor simply for its fancy Swedish name. Perhaps we could even consider placing a few Swedish fish on top to emphasize its origin.

England:

Coconut Ice

One word: macaroons. These British coconutty treats are delightful particularly because of their bubblegum-pink color. They are also from England which deems them, naturally, as companions to English breakfast tea on prim afternoons. However, the desserts themselves aren't anything special but they do fool the eye; their coconut ice pink color creates a euphoric atmosphere that makes anyone believe what they're eating is scrumptious even if it tastes like a plain jane. I'll leave it it at that. 



Zimbabwe:

Passion Fruit Bavarian Cream

This dessert is not only aesthetically-pleasing, but it is also gastronomically satisfying; the orange jelly and the passion fruit juice bring a zesty boom to your day. This doesn't mean it is solely sherbert-y, sometimes balance is key. Thus, the whipped cream layered amongst the jelly neutralizes the sour and sometimes individually caustic taste.