Products Ukrainians Abroad Miss the Most: Survey Results Among Refugees

The longing for home is a common feeling among Ukrainian refugees living abroad, especially when it comes to missing familiar foods from their homeland. A recent survey conducted by RBC-Ukraine revealed the top products that Ukrainian refugees miss the most while living in different countries across Europe.

In Poland, Ukrainians long for traditional dumplings and pickles, as well as white bread in loaf form, which is not commonly found in local stores. Lard and Ukrainian Easter cake are also difficult to come by, prompting many to resort to baking their own.

In Germany, Ukrainians struggle to find familiar products like buckwheat and sour cream, with the taste of local food being notably different from what they are used to. The absence of marshmallows and Ukrainian bread adds to the challenge of adjusting to the new culinary landscape.

Portugal presents its own set of challenges, with a lack of dairy products like kefir, cottage cheese, and sour cream. The absence of buckwheat, wheat, and barley cereals, as well as familiar ingredients like flour and baking soda, make it difficult for Ukrainians to recreate their favorite dishes.

Spain also poses difficulties for Ukrainian refugees, with a scarcity of cottage cheese, ryazhenka, and glazed cheeses. The absence of buckwheat and other staple ingredients like barley and semolina further complicates meal preparation, while the lack of familiar sweets and condiments adds to the sense of longing for home.

In the Netherlands, Ukrainian cereals like buckwheat, wheat, and millet are hard to find, and even when available, they may not meet expectations in terms of taste. The absence of traditional Ukrainian sweets like marmalade slices and toffee adds to the challenge of adapting to a new culinary environment.

These stories of longing and adaptation highlight the importance of food in connecting individuals to their cultural roots, even when they are far from home. The survey results shed light on the resilience and resourcefulness of Ukrainian refugees as they navigate the challenges of living in a new country while holding on to the tastes and flavors of their homeland.