When I travel I love to go to full assortment grocery stores and look for local specialities. Often things that the locals think is everyday items and «normal».
When I was young, it was a rarity to be able to go to the US, and if you knew someone going there, you would surely ask them to bring home Oreos. Now we get them everywhere!
But there are still local treasures to be found. In Malta, I found a local soda - Kinnies. A little bitter, orangy, very refreshing served cold (Re. The Aperol-taste?) reminds me of an old Swedish soda, called Pommac.
In Denmark, I buy home remoulade. The Danish remoulade is in a chunky («grov») version with more pickles, carrot and apple. I also love that several Danish airports have stores of the Danish baker Lagkagehuset inside security. Danish fresh pastry airborne home!
Belgium - chocolate, of course! And homeland of Biscoff!
The US is so huge, there are lots of regional specialties. In the South (New Orleans, Louisiana, in particular), I love the muffuletta sandwich. I wish it traveled well.
When I would drive from Oregon to California to visit family, they would ask me to bring cases of products that they could not buy in California. I would bring these tortilla chips:
I’ve enjoyed them, but wouldn’t order them at that price. And I think they’re much tastier when eaten in New Orleans, like on a bench near someone playing jazz.
I did recently have some tasty beignets closer to your neck of the woods, though.
From Italy I bring Pocket Coffee - small chocolates that are filled with espresso! Have to put the whole chocolate in the mouth, or else the espresso will run… It is from Ferrero, have seen it in other countries also.
I do know it’s being sold in german gas stations. But I remember it from Italy, like you. Never tried, because I don’t like anything sweet in my coffee…
As to what to bring, and thinking of Italy: Olive oil.
I like whiskey and gin and often look for distillations that aren’t easy to get beyond the local region. Some distilleries are small and/or they produce small batches. And some haven’t (yet) managed to gain distribution, which can be expensive and time consuming.
Whiskey is made in many places, so it’s fun to visit, get tours, hear about local history in distilling and to take home bottles that help remind you of places. There often are historical associations with making liquor, and I enjoy history generally, so it’s a cool combo for me.
You must collect them? I just picked up my first one in Glacier. How many do you have? Going to start getting them myself as I typically get a coffee mug everywhere I travel to.
@SoloGal I have a few dozen, but I collect them only half-heartedly. I started, because I was buying them anyway for a friend who’s a serious collector — she has hundreds.
