# Groceries you buy often that others don't **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 20, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125 "2025-07-20T20:20:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/1 "2025-07-20T20:20:31Z")
Some of our regular purchases are: mint cilantro coconut milk sticky rice ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/2 "2025-07-20T20:28:36Z")
I am the type that can’t be without cumin spice for my ramen noodles. I’ve bought maybe two or three bottles over the last 18 months. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/3 "2025-07-20T20:35:23Z")
Chinese black vinegar? Ritter Sport chocolate bars? Fresh ginger? I have no idea what other people routinely buy, though. > [@ekedolphin](#): > > I am the type that can’t be without cumin spice for my ramen noodles. Cumin is one of the many spices i always have on hand. I buy it in bulk, and just fill the little convenient bottle from the big jar in the cupboard from time to time. I probably go through more cinnamon sticks than most. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/4 "2025-07-20T20:37:32Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Ritter Sport chocolate bars? Fresh ginger? We like Ritter Sport, and we buy candied ginger. Maybe Yakult? I drink that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/5 "2025-07-20T20:43:31Z")
When I buy foodstuffs\*, only the best will do..Tut-tut and pip.pip, Old Sport! Saltine crackers. The cheapest variety, in the smallest package(no bargain, there). Yep, only the best. \*always wanted to use that word in a sentence. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/6 "2025-07-20T20:52:05Z")
I buy lots of stuff that some people will have that others generally don’t. Like I wouldn’t even consider cilantro odd, but I live in a Mexican neighborhood, and I’m guessing 75% of my neighbors have cilantro on hand. The only one that really comes to mind that I have been buying regularly for the last six+ months and absolutely always have on hand in the fridge is Turkish labneh. That’s probably my most uncommon frequent and regular purchase, at least in this neighborhood. (I’m not counting oddball pantry items I have that I might buy once every two to six months; I mean stuff I buy weekly or every two weeks.) The neighborhood I buy it in, though, I’m guessing most folks have some sort of labneh in their fridge. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/7 "2025-07-20T20:56:49Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Chinese black vinegar? Ritter Sport chocolate bars? Fresh ginger? > > I have no idea what other people routinely buy, though. > > > [@ekedolphin](#): > > > > I am the type that can’t be without cumin spice for my ramen noodles. > > Cumin is one of the many spices i always have on hand. I buy it in bulk, and just fill the little convenient bottle from the big jar in the cupboard from time to time. > > I probably go through more cinnamon sticks than most. If you’ve never tried it, putting a cinnamon stick in a pot of homemade chili is fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/8 "2025-07-20T20:59:09Z")
I like cinnamon in a lot of savory dishes. I was just reading yesterday about the spaghetti that Corfu is famous for, and one of the ingredients is cinnamon. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/9 "2025-07-20T21:03:10Z")
I have no clue what most people nornally buy, but a few things that we routinely have on hand that may be out of the ordinary: \*- Perrier sparkling water. I drink a lot of this. \*- Chocolate chips. Not exactly the most exotic item, but my wife mixes a spoonful into her granola or oatmeal each morning. We don’t, or at least very rarely, use them for baking. \*- Tahini. I like to put a smear on sliced apples or bananas – it adds a nice nutty compliment to the sweetness of the fruit. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/10 "2025-07-20T21:03:19Z")
Or look at Cincinnati chili, which is essentially just cinnamon flavored spaghetti sauce when served over spaghetti. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/11 "2025-07-20T21:19:39Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > Chocolate chips. Not exactly the most exotic item, but my wife mixes a spoonful into her granola or oatmeal each My husband does this, too. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/12 "2025-07-20T21:20:28Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > \*- Tahini. I like to put a smear on sliced apples or bananas – it adds a nice nutty compliment to the sweetness of the fruit. Thanks for this tip! I love tahini and will be glad to find a new thing to put on my apple slices. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/13 "2025-07-20T21:23:19Z")
Anchovies. I keep tins stocked at all times. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/14 "2025-07-20T21:28:31Z")
Pink tea and zuzu crackers Frim fram sauce Fatback and corn liquor ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/15 "2025-07-20T23:45:43Z")
I can’t think of a single example. Limes? I buy a lot of limes, is that weird? I didn’t think so. mmm ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/16 "2025-07-20T23:56:56Z")
Most of the stuff I like that others don’t gets discontinued. Seems like one more thing every year vanishes from the shelves without an alternative offered. Just gone. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/17 "2025-07-20T23:56:57Z")
Not sure about others but I have cinnamon on my porridge every morning. I also go through a reasonable amount of teriyaki source (usually either in a stir fry or as a marinade for (grilled) salmon. At the other end of the scale I only use a tiny amount of salt for seasoning. A few weeks ago I bought my first salt for about 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2025, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/18 "2025-07-21T01:53:26Z")
Judging by what is no longer available for purchase: Celery WITH ITS LEAVES, for soup. Broccoli with stalks, same. Old chickens, same. It kills me, because I know this stuff is being wasted to make pretty produce for people who don’t cook. And I have to buy much more expensive chickens for much less flavorsome soup. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2025, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/19 "2025-07-21T01:55:22Z")
Beets. They are essential for Bloody Marys and borscht! ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2025, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125/20 "2025-07-21T02:03:35Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Old chickens, same. > > It kills me, because I know this stuff is being wasted to make pretty produce for people who don’t cook. And I have to buy much more expensive chickens for much less flavorsome soup. This. An old stewing hen is also what you want for cacciatore. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groceries-you-buy-often-that-others-dont/1021125.md?page=2)