The Delicious New Travel Trend: Souvenirs You Can Eat
- Christianne Klein
- 13 hours ago
- 4 min read

When I travel, I joke that I’m like a Venetian trader from the 1500s- minus the ship and feathered hat (most days). I can’t resist bringing home edible or aromatic treasures: oils, salts, spices, teas, perfumes- tiny time capsules that somehow bottle the spirit of a place. Forget snow globes and magnets; I’m more likely to return with a suitcase that smells like a Mediterranean market.
Of course, there have been lessons learned along the way. I once had to throw away an entire cloth suitcase because it held a smoked salt from Provence - just for the trip home. The smell was so potent that weeks after I returned, every time I walked near the closet, I thought the house was on fire. There’s “aromatic,” and then there’s “my luggage smells like a campfire forever.”
But I wouldn’t change a thing- because those flavors and scents are a living travel diary. My kitchen shelves are lined with stories: delicate sea salt from Bali, mineral-rich salt from Australia, finishing salt from France, and a drizzle of herbs de Provence that transforms even a simple weeknight chicken into a countryside meal. Then there are the liquids- golden olive oil from Italy and Spain, syrupy aged balsamic, and one of my most treasured finds: a rose liqueur from Assisi, whose last drops of floral syrup still transport me to the hillside monastery where it was made. I also have a jar of Leatherwood honey from Tasmania- its rich, floral flavor instantly transports me back to that wild, beautiful island.
Each flavor tells a story, each scent is a postcard from a moment in time. And I’m not alone. Travelers everywhere are swapping tchotchkes for taste. Culinary keepsakes- spices, oils, salts, and sweets- are becoming the most meaningful souvenirs. They don’t just remind you where you’ve been; they let you live it again. A drizzle of olive oil from Tuscany can instantly transport you back to that tiny trattoria overlooking the vineyards, and Limoncello from Capri can bring you back to Augustus Gardens. The smoky scent of paprika can bring back a bustling market in Budapest. It’s travel that lingers long after the passport stamp fades.
Food tourism has exploded in the last few years, with travelers deliberately seeking out local markets, farms, distilleries, and family-owned producers. The global trend has even earned its own name- “culinary mapping”- where food lovers design entire trips around signature ingredients: truffle hunting in Italy, salt pans in Bali, honey farms in New Zealand, or vanilla plantations in Tahiti. It’s not just about eating well; it’s about understanding the heritage, craftsmanship, and care that go into each flavor.

Even luxury travelers are trading boutique shopping sprees for visits to olive mills and spice cooperatives. Instead of buying something that collects dust, they’re investing in flavors that create connection and spark conversation back home. A bottle of chili oil from Thailand becomes an instant story at dinner; a jar of Leatherwood honey becomes a bridge to another culture, lavender from Provence or Maui can bring you right back to that moment where you first walked through the lavender fields.
There’s also a deeper sustainability element. Many travelers now prefer supporting small producers- artisans who grow, harvest, and create with purpose. Buying a pouch of hand-harvested sea salt or a tin of local tea directly from the source means your souvenir dollars go toward preserving traditions and communities. It’s conscious collecting- tasting the world without taking from it.
And beyond the trends, there’s something profoundly emotional about it. Scent and flavor are tied to memory more powerfully than sight or sound. One taste, one whiff, and you’re transported- standing again in that café in Paris, hiking along that rugged coastline in Australia, or laughing with new friends over a sunset meal in Greece. These edible souvenirs aren’t just ingredients; they’re portals back to joy, adventure, and belonging.
Experts call it “grocery tourism,” but I think it’s something simpler: a delicious way to stay connected to the world. Bringing home the flavors of your travels isn’t just about taste- it’s about memory, story, and soul. Every time I open a jar or pour from a bottle, it’s a little reminder that food isn’t just what we eat; it’s who we are, where we’ve been, and how we share those journeys with the people we love.
Christianne’s Tips for Bringing Home Edible Souvenirs (Without the Smoked Salt Disaster)
1. Think sealed, not scented. If it’s smoky, spiced, or strong- seal it twice (and then sometimes- seal it again!) I learned the hard way that smoked salt and porous luggage are a match made in campfire heaven (and not in a good way). Use airtight containers or double-bag your goodies in zip-sealed pouches to keep your suitcase fresh and your clothes unscented.
2. Know the local (and customs) rules. This is a big one. Before buying food items, especially fresh produce, oils, seeds, or meats, double-check what you can bring home. Many countries and airlines have restrictions, and it’s better to plan ahead than face heartbreak at customs.
3. Think small, light, and precious. Tiny jars of finishing salts, specialty oils, or a bottle of rose liqueur or Leatherwood honey can pack a big punch without taking over your luggage.
4. Label everything. Write down the origin, flavor notes, or best uses for each item. When you unpack months later, it’ll feel like opening a storybook of your travels.
5. Share the story. Food souvenirs are more than just ingredients- they’re conversation starters. Invite friends or family to taste a spice or drizzle a honey while sharing the memory of where it came from. That’s when travel truly lives on in your home.
Christianne Klein is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning TV Host, journalist, travel and lifestyle expert, and founder of FoodFamilyTravel.com.
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