Maple Syrup-licious

When we first moved into our house in February one of the first things we did was to go to the grocery store and stock up on all the essentials. However, one mistake that we made was in assuming that if an item we needed was at the store then, it would be available every time we went.

We have since learned that's not the case. It's rare to go to the local grocery store and be able to find everything I want (at least in the brand I've come to semi-recognize).

One of the biggest problems has been finding Maple Syrup. Or more specifically, finding it at a price that I want to pay. In February we found out that while the local grocery stores were good for most essentials they don't have as wide a selection as we would like. So we tried Tesco's Hypermart (think Super Wal-Mart-lite). Hey, terrific, they have a lot of stuff we need...like Maple Syrup. So we bought one bottle and went on our way.

Fast forward to an empty syrup bottle. Looks like it's time to make a run to Tesco's (it's not exactly close to us). Now where was that syrup...down this aisle, right?...why can't I find it?...why doesn't ANYONE that works here speak English?

This was our first taste of the "Today it's available, Tomorrow you're SOL" stocking policy at most Hungarian Grocery Stores. And the syrup thing was a big problem. VJ & Anna may prefer eggs, but Katie & I are all about Waffles and French Toast. What do we do?

Having it shipped over in a care package makes me a little nervous. The Welch's Grape Jelly is bad enough but can you imagine what would happen if Aunt Jemima busted her head on the way over? Big Mess.

Culinaris to the rescue? Let's try the fancy expat grocery store. Hurray, they have it! HOW MUCH IS IT? $18.00 a bottle? Unless the syrup came from the Magical Maple Trees of Narnia or something, pass the ketchup for my scrambled eggs. (We actually did breakdown and buy one bottle, but let me tell you much Katie is NOT allowed to pour her own syrup at breakfast time).

Every time we go to Tesco's we check the syrup aisle to see if it's been restocked. No such luck... until TODAY when we hit the Syrup Lottery!

There was nine bottles on the shelf. Now there are nine bottles in our pantry. Looks like's time to break out the Waffle Maker.