Souvenirs you can savour: Why more people are opting to get back food instead of fridge magnets

Bahl’s recent local global picks. Pics/Vaibhav Bahl

In 2023, Entrepreneur, Vaibhav Bahl, opted for an Airbnb experience in Milan. His host recommended a pizza tour that ended at Peck, a gourmet food store. That was his introduction to gourmet grocery store formats, and he's been hooked ever since.

Founded in 1883, Peck is Milan's most famous gourmet food emporium, often described as a temple of Italian gastronomy. Located near the Duomo on Via Spadari, it spans multiple floors dedicated to charcuterie, cheeses, fresh pasta, pastries, prepared foods, wines, oils, truffles, preserves, and speciality ingredients. It offers guided tours and tastings as part of its visitor experiences. Rather than simply shopping, guests are led through the store by food experts who explain products, sourcing, regional traditions, and Italian culinary culture.

Elizabeth De Filippo-Jones, founder of Fazool Foods has been leading food tours in Milan since 2017. She designs food shopping tours, taking people around to grocery shops like Peck. "People who enjoy cooking or hosting are often looking for inspiration for products to take back home. I often recommend dried porcini mushroom as they're lightweight and easy to pack. Olive oil and tinned fish are also classic favourites. Recreating a meal from your trip can be far more meaningful than a magnet on the refrigerator. Shops like Parco dei Buoi and Peck continue to see visitors looking for edible souvenirs that bring a taste of Italy home."

Vaibhav Bahl

For Bahl, curiosity around terroir and local expression piques his interest. How the same ingredient can taste completely different depending on where it's grown and produced is a fascinating concept. "Grocery shopping abroad is one of the best ways to understand a region's culture, produce, and culinary identity beyond restaurants," he shares. Then again, there is social media-driven discovery.

"Platforms like Instagram have turned certain grocery products into global obsessions. From Japan's white strawberries and canned white peaches to niche condiments and snacks, travellers now bring back ingredients almost like souvenirs," he adds. Bahl also feels there is a strong association between countries and product quality. Consumers instinctively associate certain countries with excellence in specific categories, such as Italy and Spain for olive oil, France for butter, China for tea, Korea for chilli oil, and Japan for miso. Buying them at source feels more authentic and often guarantees better quality."

He enjoys the thrill of discovering the unknown. "I've found things like flavoured sugars in France or exceptional makgeolli and fermented rice products in Korea. That's often the most memorable part of travel."

Bahl's picks:

Italy: Breads and bakes like panettone from local supermarkets
Istanbul: Local cheese, wild honey, local jams, marinated olives
Southeast Asia: Chilli oils, herb teas from Asia
Colombia and Lima: Rare and exotic fresh fruits, Best tomato ketchup and toothpastes from different countries.

Pique my palate

Chilli oils from Xi'an, China

For F&B Marketing Consultant, Mayuri Nigam, groceries encapsulate a country's culture and everyday life better than typical souvenirs. They make for great personalised gifts. "I'm a huge foodie, so food and cuisine heavily influence the destinations I travel to. Bringing ingredients back almost feels like a holiday extension because I get to relive the trip through cooking. I love finding hyperlocal products and small local brands - especially in farmers' markets or morning markets. These often taste better, expose you to authentic flavour profiles, and also help small businesses," she adds.

Nigam's pick

Nigam's pick

China: From Xi'an, a variety of fresh chilli oils; from Xiamen, dried and preserved seafood products such as sun-dried scallops and seaweed used in soups and broths.

Thailand: freshly hand-pounded curry pastes, nam prik, and spice mixes from local morning markets.

Vietnam: Vietnamese coffee and local sauces

Mayuri Nigam

Japan: Cooking sauces, and soup concentrates from supermarkets; unique chocolates and cookies.

Amsterdam: different varieties of cheese

Spices from Xi'an, China. Pics/Mayuri Nigam

Picking produce over postcards

For Mavi's Pantry's founder, Vikram Mittal, picking up groceries abroad is an old habit. Between his time in the Merchant Navy and his personal travels, he has explored 54 countries so far.

"Visiting local grocery stores and markets has always been an exciting way to experience local life. It allowed me to discover incredible, authentic items that were nearly impossible to find back home in India, especially a decade ago. Depending on the length of the port stay and customs rules, some of these items were enjoyed fresh on the spot, while others made it all the way back home. Local, seasonal ingredients always offer the best taste and higher nutritional value, and wandering through grocery aisles is one of the quickest ways to experience how a local community actually lives and eats."

Vikram Mittal

Mittal's pick

Chile: underdog local wine
Italy: Rich espresso coffee and traditional Moka pots, fresh pesto
Spain: Cold-pressed olive oils and authentic chorizo
France and Switzerland: Artisanal breads, regional cheeses, and local liqueurs.
Slovenia: Exceptional local cold cuts and premium pepperoni.
Germany: Authentic, traditional sausages.
Czech Republic and Denmark: Exceptional local beers and regional brews.
New Zealand: Pure, high-grade Manuka honey.
Sri Lanka: Aromatic, high-quality Ceylon cinnamon.
UAE: Vibrant, fragrant whole spices & dates.
South Korea: Crisp, authentic seaweed (Nori sheets) and Sushi.
Nepal: Nutrient-dense hemp seeds and durable, locally crafted hemp clothing.
USA: Refreshing, artisanal local kombucha

What the world takes from India

Kunal Ganger, chief strategy officer; Food Square, shares, "Premium saffron continues to be one of the most sought-after food souvenirs among our international guests and the expat community. Easy to carry, gift and share, it represents the richness of India's culinary heritage through a single luxury ingredient. Beyond saffron, we're seeing growing interest in artisanal spice blends, regional pickles and condiments, handcrafted teas, wellness products such as shilajit, and contemporary Indian snacks like avocado farsan and flavoured makhanas.

Kunal Ganger

What's equally interesting is the demand for lifestyle products rooted in Indian traditions, from incense and essential oils to handmade soaps and conscious wellness brands. Today's traveller isn't simply looking for a souvenir. They're looking for products that help them take a piece of India home with them, and that continue the experience long after their trip has ended."

Evgeniia Gorina

Russian national Evgeniia Gorina has been loading her suitcase with a piece of India every time she heads home. Here's what's in her bag as edible gifts:

>>  Indian spices
>>  Tea
>>   Coffee
>>  Seasonal fruits
>>  Ghee
>>   Nuts
>>   Sweets

For his friends who visit India, Bahl recommends:

>> Local pickles beyond the usual suspects of lemon or mango. Chicken or prawn pickle, perhaps!
>> Pure saffron strands for tea or other local teas, to break the Darjeeling tea monopoly in the Western mind.
>> Pure rose water from a local shop, or as an experience box from Kama Ayurveda, or Forest Essentials
>> Spices: Tellicherry pepper , lakadong turmeric, Himalayan pink salt
>> Alcohol: Indian whiskey like Godawan or Rampur from the airport duty-free