This guide offers Quebec consumers practical alternatives to commonly used American products amidst a growing desire to boycott them. It highlights local options for items like fish sauce, broths, Sriracha, paper towels, ginger ale, and ice cream syrup. Each section recommends Quebec-made brands while advising against popular American counterparts, encouraging mindful shopping that supports local businesses and resources.
How to Make Informed Choices While Boycotting American Products
Many consumers are seeking ways to boycott American products, but the task can be trickier than it appears. Notably, many American brands have manufacturing plants in Canada and source local labor and materials. To aid Quebec shoppers in making mindful choices, here are some local alternatives to consider instead of predominantly American brands.
Delicious Alternatives to Common American Brands
Fish Sauce
Choose this: Fish Sauce KLKT. This delightful fish sauce connects the culinary traditions of Vietnam with Quebec, crafted locally using often overlooked fish from the St. Lawrence River, ensuring better utilization of our marine resources.
Avoid this: Thai Fish Sauce, which is owned by the American company McCormick.
Did you know that fish sauce serves as a great substitute for Worcestershire sauce? Its rich umami flavor, combined with saltiness and a hint of spice, makes it a versatile addition to various dishes, from stews to scrambled eggs.
Broths
Pre-packaged broths can be lifesavers when preparing soups or stews. Opting for quality options is simpler than you think!
Choose this: Broth Concentrate – Cassandra. This exceptional Quebec product can be diluted with water or wine to create a flavorful broth for soups or fondue, brought to you by Cassandra Loignon, a well-known figure in the culinary world.
Or try this: Fondue and Cooking Broth – Canton, a ready-to-use broth from a Quebec company with over forty years of experience.
Another great option: Chinese Fondue Broth Concentrate – Kosy, a convenient concentrate for fondue or stews, also made locally.
Avoid these: Campbell’s Beef and Red Wine Broth and Kettle & Fire Classic Beef Bone Broth, both of which are American products.
Sriracha Sauce
This popular Thai condiment has become a staple for adding heat to various dishes. Luckily, several Quebecois options are available!
Choose this: Sriracha – Firebarns. This local rendition features barrel-aged jalapenos enhanced with garlic, gaining popularity thanks to its presence on the show *Dans l’œil du dragon*.
Or try this: Gochracha – La Pimenterie, which combines the spicy Korean gochujang with a perfect balance of sweetness and umami, all crafted in Quebec.
Another option: Gochracha – Cuisine Wilfred, offering globally inspired flavors while staying true to local production.
Avoid this: Huy Fong Foods Hot Chili Sriracha Sauce, which is manufactured in the United States and carries a warning regarding potential hazardous ingredients.
Paper Towels
Accidents can happen at any moment, and having the right paper towels on hand is essential. Make sure your next purchase aligns with your values.
Choose this: Cascades, a company with a rich history dating back 60 years in Kingsey Falls, Quebec.
Or try this: Sponge Towels, which, despite its English name, is a brand under Kruger, a Montreal-based company.
Another eco-friendly choice: Bonterra, also affiliated with Kruger, focuses on environmentally conscious packaging.
Avoid this: Bounty, produced by American company Procter & Gamble.
Ginger Ale
Ginger ale is a beloved soft drink known for its unique flavor, making it an excellent choice for cocktails or enjoyed on its own. Opt for local varieties whenever possible.
Choose this: Ginger Ale – Bull’s Head, crafted in Richmond, Eastern Townships, with a recipe over 100 years old, emphasizing the zesty flavor of ginger mixed with natural ingredients.
Avoid this: Ginger Ale – Schweppes or Canada Dry; both are linked to American ownership.
Ice Cream Syrup
As warmer weather approaches, the desire for sundaes and other frozen treats increases. Elevate your ice cream experience with local syrups.
Choose this: Chocolate Sauce – Délifruits, a Quebec company that offers a variety of sauces, including strawberry, raspberry, and caramel, perfect for the ultimate sundae.
Or try this: Chocolate Sauce – Dora, a company with a history dating back to 1945, proudly creating local products.
Avoid this: Chocolate Syrup – Smucker’s, an American brand.