I've actually noticed this a lot about American food, that they seem to associate anything fruit flavoured with sugar and generally mistake colour (food coloring) with flavour too. I once had a banana tart that tasted nothing like a banana or a tart at a store I can't recall the name of in Ohio.

I remember the first time I tried a Krispe Kreme (apologies if I misspell) donut, I nearly choked at the sheer amount of sugar. I could not take a second bite if my life depended on it. When a KK opened here in malaysia back in 2009 (I think) I was among the few people not at all excited because jesus a sugar waterfall? Just looking at it gives me cavities.

Another thing I always noticed about US foods is portions. I mean, I'm not the healthiest eater, I could live on chocolate and ice cream but those huge plates and what looks like mountains of french fries even give me - a fairly unhealthy eater - the willies.

Which is not to say all American food is bad. I love some of the things I've tried there but the general tone of food there seems to be super sized and more full of colour than flavour.

And as you pointed out, the excess of sugar.

ETA I didn't read the post under cut so sorry if any of this sounds repetitive/stupid.