10 Perfect Food Souvenirs
The only bottle of wine that ever lasted for longer than a few weeks in my house was a bottle I brought back with me from a friend's wedding in South Africa — its contents, and of course the memories that went with it, just seemed too special to drink on any Wednesday night alongside takeout. But when I did finally open it, all of the fantastic flavors and feelings from my trip came rushing back. I almost felt like the bottle of wine satiated my need to go back and do the trip all over again. That's what food souvenirs do so much better than, say, key chains and T-shirts — they bring back all the sights, sounds, and flavors from time spent in another land. Who wouldn't want to relive that week spent strolling the hills of Tuscany or playing on the sandy beaches of Costa Rica?
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But some foodstuffs travel better than others, and not just because some are restricted by the T.S.A. Items like Italian cheese, Spanish saffron, and local chocolates from France or Belize make perfect souvenirs that reward the buyer with the taste and smell of a place long after they're back home. The best rule of thumb when choosing a souvenir, aside from making sure it's not prohibited in your country of residence, is finding something that's really tied to a place. One of my personal favorites is a small jar of Il Profumo del Chianti from Dario Cecchini's eccentric butcher shop in Chianti, Italy. He combined the best Sicilian sea salt he could find with what he calls "the essence of Tuscany" so that its smell and taste will sweep anyone instantly back to Italy.
In that same vein, coffee grounds from Costa Rica have such a strong scent and sense of place that they'll awaken memories of a tropical getaway every morning. Even better, find something that reminds you of all the exotic and adventurous things you tried while abroad and that your friends and family might want to try so they can get a taste of your holiday, too. No one likes your vacation pictures as much as you do, but open up a jar of that kaya you brought home from Singapore or the dulce de leche straight from Mexico and you'll all be reminiscing in no time.