Food souvenirs are so important and prime part of every shopping list during my travels. Even when I travel outside India, my friends ask me to bring Indian chai tea and spices (at the very least).
Its totally a thing while meeting friends in other countries or bringing back things for your friends and family back home.
Sniffing out a good souvenir is one of the greatest rewards of traveling as not only you get to explore a new destination, you get to bring a little piece of it back home with you.
That said, struggling to fit all kinds of souvenirs in a carry-on and navigating the spoils through immigration, customs and security is not how a dream holiday trip should end.
If you don’t want to deal with the logistics of shipping things home, this tested guide will tell you the best things to take home from the countries below, that are used, admired and not shoved in a drawer for the next decade.
Related Reading – Best Turkish Souvenirs & Top things to bring home from Tromso.
Best Food Souvenirs to Bring back from your Travels
01. Japan
Aside from how clean and efficient everything is, Japan is also a paradise for souvenir hunters. To make things easier we have sorted out something meaningful that reflects the country’s history and are easy to pack as well.
Matcha powder: If you are a fan of green tea, from ceremonial grade powder to matcha soba and mochi, Japan has you covered.
You will find a wide selection at train stations, department stores and local supermarkets from where you can pick them for your own tea time or as gifts for friends.
Regional KitKats: With over 400 limited-edition flavors, the KitKat selection in Japan is of another level. From strawberry cheesecake, wasabi, yuzu and roasted tea, there are flavors tied to each region.
The travel exclusive varieties are sold only in dedicated places like train stations or specific prefectures, primarily in Okinawa and Kyushu. They make a great souvenir and are easy to pack.
Wagashi: Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets, typically enjoyed with a cup of matcha(green tea) and come in all sizes and shapes.
The main ingredient is anko, a sweet bean paste, mixed with rice cakes, rice flour, Japanese agar, chestnuts and sesame paste. The sweets can be enjoyed at cafés and restaurants where green tea is served and are a wonderful souvenir to carry back home.
02. Italy
If you are trying to figure out what to bring back home from Italy, you are going to be spoilt for choices. So fill your suitcase with something unique on your next trip to Italy:
Olive oil: With over 650 different types of olive trees in Italy, the country’s olive oils are as diverse as the trees themselves.
Though a bit expensive, the extra virgin olive oil(EVOO) is of high quality and you can find bottles in any grocery store to bring home.
Balsamic vinegar : The balsamic vinegar from the Modena region is also expensive, but is an excellent gift to carry mainly because of its traditional value as a marriage dowry item.
Buy a small bottle as the stuff is aged for long and doesn’t have the tangy taste of typical vinegars. This is thick as honey and just as sweet.
Limoncello: This liquor comes from the Amalfi Coast where the the sweet lemons grow and should be purchased directly from a local producer.
For the limoncello aficionado, it is a must to carry a bottle or two of this high-quality liquor back home to remind you of the zesty sunny embodiment of an Italian summer in a bottle.
Truffle paste: If you love truffles, this product is best purchased in Italy only as it is the only producer of the subterranean fungus truffle that tastes like no other.
Alba, is the truffle capital of the world, and the right place to pack a few to sample and gift once back home.
03. France
France is a beautiful country, so it is but natural that there will be a lot of unique souvenirs to bring back home. Surprisingly some of the best ones will be in the grocery stores:
Macrons: This French sweet treat may not have a long shelf-life, but they are a great souvenir to bring home after a visit to France. Buy the ones in tins as they are travel-friendly and will also remind you of the country every time you use them.
This best-selling cookie in France comes in different flavors like pistachio, vanilla and chocolate.
French cheese : France is known for its cheese, so bringing back a few varieties as souvenirs is a nice idea.
Some popular brands which are available in vacuum sealed packs are Comte, Brie and Camembert.
French Wine: France is a top wine producer in the world and bringing back a bottle of two is a great way to immerse in the country’s wine culture.
Champagne is a region of France, best known for this sparkling offering. Consider buying miniatures that are easy to pack and take home.
Dijon mustard : This piquant sauce is a diet staple in France and the best comes from Dijon, the French city of Mustards.
Flavors you can consider are honey mustard as well as basil. For souvenirs, the mustard factory sells tiny 25 gm pots for €1 each in various flavors.
04. Mexico
Looking for Mexican food souveniers? There’s plenty of options for the food loving traveler.
Mexican spirits : Mexico is known for its spirits, especially tequila, a type of mezcal made from blue agave plants from northern Mexico.
Mole sauce: This is one flavor of Mexico you need to experience and bring back with you, as those which don’t come from this country, don’t taste the same.
The mole sauce comes in different varieties and can be purchased from markets or local vendors, especially in Oaxaca city, known for its mole. You can buy souvenir-size bottles at Mexican grocery stores or at the airport to take home.
Vanilla beans: As the largest producer of vanilla in the world, bringing home a bottle of pure vanilla extract is a must on a visit to this country.
The pure vanilla has 35% alcohol and is used for baking. You can purchase a Villa Vanilla Elixir at the airport as a gift or for personal use on your return.
Candied Mexican Sweets: To brighten the heart, the Alegrias is the most popular candy found all over the country.These candies are known for their unique characteristics, are homemade and originated in the pre-Hispanic era.
Cocadas, is another delicious treat to bring as a souvenir. Made from coconut, sugar, milk and the fruit of a typical palm tree.
05. Thailand
If you are planning a trip to Thailand and are overwhelmed with the sheer amount of knick-knacks to pack in your suitcase, this guide will tell you what to carry home from the country.
Thai origami brand tea: Thai tea has extraordinary flavors and is great souvenir that captures the heart of the Thai food tradition.
The brand’s iced-tea mix is globally popular and is priced around $3 for a box of tea bags. Available in supermarkets and tea shops.
Dried fruit and nuts: From sun-dried mangoes to tamarind snacks, Thai’s tropical bounty is most addictive when dried.
A premium pack of dried fruit costs between $4-$8 and can be bought at the Tor Kor Market near Chatuchak.
Thai snacks and sweets: Thai snacks make an awesome gift to give to your loved ones, as they all come with unique flavors. Pick those that are packaged well like seaweed chips, dried squid, durian etc.
Thai spices and curry paste : Stock up Tom Yum seasoning, dried chilli powder and green curry paste if you want to take back the flavors of Thailand with you.
Small curry paste packets are available in Big C Supermarket and Gourmet Market in Siam Paragon.
06. India
Rich in culture, India is an amazing destination when it comes to souvenir hunting.
Spices: From high-quality cumin seeds to cardamom and pepper, India is a mecca for spice lovers.
While spices are sold all over India, the oldest spice market is in Kochi, South India.
Tea: India is the second-largest tea producer after China and some of the most popular varieties come from Darjeeling and Assam.
Tea bags with flavors from different parts of the country are available at airports and supermarkets and are wonderful gifts to take back with you.
Sweets: India is a paradise for sweet lovers and bringing back a pack of long-lasting son-papdi or kaju-katli(cashew roll) make a perfect souvenir.
Pickles: Consuming pickles with food is rooted deep in Indian cuisine culture and there are literally scores of choices from vegetable, fruit, meat and seafood pickles available in the market.
For the best gift, pick up a vacuum-packed of your favourite choice from any grocery store or from the airport. The taste will linger on for a few weeks for sure.
07. Turkey
Enjoying a foothold, both in Europe and Asia,it can be hard to choose the Turkish souvenirs to bring back home. Even I bought back lots of Baklava for all my friends back home.
Turkish Tea: Turkey has the highest per-capita consumption of tea in the world and bringing home tea with a tea set should bring in mind happy memories of your Turkish trip.
Lokum: This sweet Turkish delight cannot be found elsewhere with the traditional flavor being rose, mint or lemon.All make great souvenirs to carry a taste of Turkey with you.
Baklava: Baklava is without doubt the best dessert in the world. This phyllo pastry is available vacuum wrapped in traditional bakeries and is a great gift to share with friends and colleagues.
08. Spain
If there is a European country which captures the heart of visitors from all over the world, it is Spain.
There are a lot of treasures to pick up on the way as well to evoke memories of your visit.
Turron: This is a traditional Spanish confectionery sold in candy shops across the country, and is particularly sought after in the Christmas holiday season. Turron packs well and is long-lasting making it an ideal present.
Spanish Olive Oil: Because of the diverse climate, Spanish Olive Oil is of high quality and come in beautiful packages and make for an ideal gift.
Sherry: Sherry is a fortified whine wine from Cadiz and a great after-dinner drink enjoyed all over Andalucia.
Manchego Cheese: There is a massive variety of cheese in Spain, but the Manchego Cheese made from sheep’s milk is a must to bring back.
09. Greece
No trip to Greece is complete without bringing back some souvenirs from its romantic islands and towns.
Greek Honey: Buy a pack of honey from Crete and your friends back home will thank you for it.
Ouzo: A bottle of Ouzo makes an excellent souvenir for liquor enthusiasts.This popular local aperitif can be enjoyed on the rocks or in cocktails.
Greek Delight: Known as Loukoumi, this treat made from sugar, starch and various flavors like rose, lemon etc makes for a delicious and traditional souvenir.
10. South Korea
From artefacts to K-pop merchandise, South Korea is a haven for shoppers, with every street offering a unique souvenir.
Gochujang Sauce: This is a fiery red chilli-paste which is paired with a lot of local dishes and is one of the best souvenir to carry home as it comes in compact travel-friendly tubs.
Instant Ramen: Known in Korea as Ramyeon, this staple food of the Koreans can be picked up from vending machines, conveniently packed in a cup and is a best souvenir from South Korea.
Gim: This is an edible seaweed and a popular snack of the locals, rich in minerals and vitamins.
Korean Snack Foods: Available at all convenience stores, Korean snacks are a great gift for food-loving friends. Moreover, they are small and easy to pack and generally very affordable.
11. Morocco
Consider purchasing these souvenirs from Morocco.
Argan Oil: Found only in Morocco and great for cooking and skin care. Should be thick and golden yellow in color.
Tea/Tea Pots: Tea is the lifeline of Morocco so buy some and a fun tea pot as a fun souvenir
Spices: Spices are fresh and good quality in Morocco. Some of the must-haves for souvenirs are saffron, Ras al hanout, turmeric and cumin
12. Peru
There are few destinations in the world that are as souvenir-crazy as Peru is and you will find yourself wanting to bring the whole country with you as most of the items here are those you can a actually use.
Coca Candies: Because of the high altitude, you will drink coca, chew coca and suck on coca candies, so bring home some(they contain cocaine) if permitted.
Coffee Beans: Quality Peruvian coffee is a great souvenir to take back home, especially the one extracted from the poop of the coati, a small mammal.
Pisco: This is the national drink of Peru and sold in shops everywhere. Don’t pass up your chance to buy a bottle or two from duty-free to remind you of your trip.
So these 12 countries offer so many popular flavors to bring back as gifts for your friends and family. Which are your favorites?
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
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