Magnets are overrated. Mugs? My cupboard doesn’t fully close anymore because, even stacked on top of each other, they don’t all fit. After years of traveling the world as a food-loving journalist, I’ve learned that the best souvenirs aren’t tchotchkes or trinkets; they’re something you can taste. I believe that ingesting the flavors, colors, histories and traditions of a place is the closest one can get to visiting it themselves.
So, if you’re looking for food gifts from around the world that won’t gather dust, these are my favorite edible finds. You don’t need a passport, only your taste buds.
Are you ready to explore more? Let us inspire you!
Icelandic Lava Salt
Iceland is extreme. The waterfalls, the glaciers, the weather, even the salt. Lava salt gets its moody black color from activated charcoal and has a clean, bright crunch that makes whatever you put it on feel a little Nordic. This one is easy to pack and take through TSA.
Why It’s Unique: It’s literally harvested from some of the cleanest seawater in the world and tinted with volcanic minerals.
Who to Give It To: Foodies who love topping everything with a finishing touch.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Sprinkle it on chocolate chip cookies. Trust me.
Guatemalan Coffee
Guatemala ruined me for average coffee. The high-altitude beans from places like Antigua create a cup that tastes smooth and naturally a little sweet. Coffee is one of the easiest and most affordable food gifts available anywhere in the world, but Guatemala does it best.
Why It’s Unique: The volcanic soil, elevation and growing conditions create some of the world’s most balanced, flavorful coffee.
Who to Give It To: Anyone who grinds their beans by hand or has opinions about pour-over technique.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Choose whole beans and let them grind it fresh, it makes a big difference.
Gordon Castle Gin
This gin is basically the Scottish Highlands in a bottle. Every herb, flower and botanical used in the distillation is handpicked from Gordon Castle’s eight-acre walled garden, one of the oldest in the world. Once a near-forgotten tangle of overgrowth, the garden has been lovingly restored by Zara and Angus Gordon-Lennox, who turned it into a gin-gifting oasis. And, it recently became available for order in the U.S., so you don’t even need to cross the pond to gift it.
Why It’s Unique: Every botanical comes from inside Gordon Castle’s historic estate garden, like sipping on history.
Who to Give It To: If they drink, they’ll like this.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Mix it with tonic and a sprig of rosemary. Simple, but it tastes like Scotland.
Emilio Moro Wine
I first tasted Emilio Moro on the cobblestone streets of a medieval town in Spain, and I will forever remember that moment. This is hands down the best wine I have ever had, and I now fully understand why the Ribera del Duero region has a cult following. It’s dry, full and velvety. Bring home a few extras for yourself.
Why It’s Unique: Ribera del Duero’s dramatic temperature swings help Tempranillo develop intense fruit flavors and natural freshness.
Who to Give It To: Your friend who always volunteers to bring wine and actually knows what they’re talking about.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Pair it with a simple charcuterie board and let the wine do the heavy lifting.
Savannah Bee Company Honey
Savannah Bee Company Honey is basically the fine wine of honeys. They specialize in pure, mono-floral honey from around the world, from Spain’s lavender fields to the tupelo swamps of the American South. Each varietal has its own distinct flavor with zero additives or adulteration, all determined entirely by the type of flower the bees visited.
Why It’s Unique: Single-floral honeys taste wildly different depending on where the bees forage.
Who to Give It To: Anyone who appreciates the sweet things in life.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Choose the sampler set so they can try a few flavors and decide which one deserves a permanent spot in their kitchen.
Cherry Liqueur from Portugal
Ginjinha is Portugal’s beloved cherry liqueur. I tried it in Lisbon, where they pour it in tiny chocolate cups on street corners, and you get a sweet treat and a healthy buzz all in one. Although it tastes better on a cobblestone corner with colorful tiles lining the walls, it’s still a delicious, unique addition to your best friend’s home bar.
Why It’s Unique: Sour cherries soaked in alcohol until the flavor turns sweet, tart and a gorgeous red.
Who to Give It To: Friends who love a quirky, memorable bottle that sparks a story.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Buy chocolate shot glasses, the darker the better.
Door County Dried Cherries
Door County, Wisconsin, is known for cherries the way Vermont is known for maple syrup. The region grows tart cherries in droves and you can get cherry jams, cherry chocolates or even straight dried cherries, which I eat like candy. Bonus points if you drop them in your Ginjinha shot.
Why It’s Unique: The peninsula’s climate and sandy soil help produce cherries with an almost wine-like tartness.
Who to Give It To: Snackers and home bakers who love throwing dried fruit into everything.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Add them to homemade trail mix with dark chocolate.
Beignet Mix from New Orleans
Beignets are powdered-sugar magic that I just recently had for the first time, and Café du Monde basically changed my life. I packed my carry-on full of mixes and am giving them out to everyone I truly love for Christmas this year. Bignet mix means a cozy morning in New Orleans without the cost of a flight, the humidity or the long lines.
Why It’s Unique: New Orleans baking blends French inspiration with Southern comfort, the two best things on earth.
Who to Give It To: Anyone who loves brunch or believes breakfast is the same as dessert.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Fry them smaller than you think you should. They puff up.
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