Swedish gummies, Parisian linens and Moroccan mint tea: what travel experts always bring home from their trips

Speciality tea

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I love discovering local teas wherever I travel, whether it’s Moroccan mint, Japanese green or herbal blends I’ve never come across at home. I gave up coffee last year, and since then, tea – particularly matcha from Kyoto, which is really strong – has become my daily ritual.Adrienne Adhami, wellbeing coach and podcast host

Spanish olives

When in Spain, I always come home with Aceitunas gazpachas – these split manzanilla or hojiblanca olives are marinated with pickles and spices, and they’re completely addictive. I stock up in local organic food shops, which tend to have the best selection.Phillippa Fern Kenyon Shutes, private chef

Armagnac prunes

I grew up in the Gers region of south-west France, which is famous for preserving prunes in armagnac, so I always try to bring a jar of them back from the local Château de Cassaigne. They come in these lovely tall glass jars and make the most delicious after-supper treat.Patrick Williams, interior designer and founder of Berdoulat

Coffee beans

I always start my day with a pour-over coffee, so I make sure to stock up on beans whenever I travel. I like ones from Ethiopia or Kenya, especially when they’ve been naturally fermented, as they tend to have a lovely fruitiness and acidity, with notes of strawberry, candied orange peel or pineapple. Once I get home, I freeze the beans to preserve their freshness.Patricia Zhou, choreographer

Makrut lime leaves

Visiting Bangkok’s many markets (there’s one for everything) is always a highlight of a trip to Thailand. Phra Khanong is where local people buy their groceries. There are no tourists, it’s very affordable and the vendors are friendly. I always pick up my annual supply of makrut lime leaves for 50 baht (about £1) there.Kash Bhattacharya, travel blogger @budgettraveller

Local spirits

I buy alcohol from pretty much every country I visit. Looking at my collection, I have gin from Eritrea and Botswana, local spirits from Tanzania, and even a bottle from Laos with some sort of worm in it. I don’t actually open a lot of them – I just love having them there as memories of different places. If I’m travelling to a big wine-producing country, such as South Africa or Italy, I always bring a special wine suitcase with me, which holds 12 bottles.Jessica Nabongo, travel writer

Swedish gummies

Whenever I’m in Stockholm, I stock up on soft, chewy pick-and-mix sweets from any grocery store, such as Hemköp – they have big bins of them. Not just a packet or two – but a whole carry-on case full of them.Kate Berry

Extra virgin olive oil

I always come home with something edible. In Greece, Italy or Portugal, that’s usually a bottle of exceptional olive oil – often locally pressed – or a few bottles of the local wine we discovered over dinner and want to enjoy again once we’re home.Natasha Shafi

Macarons

Controversial opinion: Ladurée macarons, with their charming pistachio-green boxes, are not, in fact, the finest macarons in Paris. For those, head to Carette. The flavours are a little punchier (my favourite is salted caramel), the filling is more generous, and at about €3 (£2.55) apiece, they make the perfect sweet treat for the journey home.Jess Cartner-Morley

Clothing

Chic but cheap childrenswear

Nowhere in the world gives you as much chic for your money as the childrenswear department at French store Monoprix. Think Bonpoint vibes at H&M prices. When my kids were little, I’d stock up every Paris fashion week, but there are branches all over France. They also do the most beautiful paper napkins which – being inexpensive, small and lightweight – make the perfect gifts to bring home.Jess Cartner-Morley, Guardian fashion editor

Evil-eye bracelets

Have you even been to Greece and not come home with at least one evil eye hanging from your wrist or ankle? I know it’s officially summer when mine is back on my arm. Lucy Williams, stylist and content creator

Luxury scarves and shirts

I always buy a scarf from Hermès and a Charvet shirt in France – plus socks from Mes Chaussettes Rouges and Tabio, because they personalise with embroidery.Kate Berry, US editor at Cabana magazine

Vintage jackets

Whenever I’m in Paris, I always make time for Skat Vintage and, if it’s the weekend, a wander around Saint-Ouen flea market. I can rarely resist a vintage silk scarf or jacket, although they’re often claimed by my daughter before they make it into my wardrobe.Natasha Shafi, CEO at Mr & Mrs Smith

Beauty

White flower oil

I always pick up this oil from Hong Kong. With menthol, eucalyptus and wintergreen, it provides instant relief from headaches and insect bites, and even helps clear the sinuses. Just dot a few drops on your wrists, temples and behind the ears.Divia Thani, global editorial director at Condé Nast Traveller

Pudin Hara

In India, Pudin Hara is a traditional ayurvedic formulation. It’s a bright green blend of mint extract and peppermint oil that works quickly to ease all kinds of tummy-related issues, from cramps and acidity to bloating and indigestion. Divia Thani

Continental colognes

The first time I went to Spain, I remember catching a distinctive waft of cologne whenever I passed a suit on their way into their office in Barcelona. It was different from the muscular scents of home at the time; light, summery and somewhat continental. I finally plucked up the courage to ask someone what they were wearing, and it turned out to be Nenuco Agua de Colonia. Now I buy it whenever I go to Spain and literally bathe in it because it only costs a few euros. A Spanish friend recently told me, however, that it’s mostly used for babies. In France, I always buy Le Petit Marseillais Lait shower gel for the same olfactory associations with summer beaches.Andy Pietrasik, Guardian travel editor

Artisan candles

If you’re passing through Athens, you have to pick up something from The Naxos Apothecary. They make the most beautiful artisan candles, body products and fragrances from Greek flora.Lucy Williams

Melatonin

I stock up at a CVS pharmacy whenever I travel to the US. I’m a good sleeper, but for those rare nights when I’m not, their over-the-counter melatonin is a lifesaver. CVS is also the best place to find brilliant little beauty buys you can’t get at home – such as Pacha Soap Co’s natural deodorant.Teresa Tarmey, facialist

Handmade razors

In Italy, I always seek out the traditional men’s toiletries shops and usually come home with a handmade razor, brush or pair of scissors. Italians do things like this so well: practical, timeless and made to last.Kate Berry

Natural deodorant

I recently discovered the fragrance store Zielinski & Rozen in Amsterdam and fell in love with their natural antiperspirant. I’m drawn to the scent of essential oils, so now I always hunt one down when I come across their boutiques.Phillippa Fern

French pharmacy moisturiser

French pharmacies are a treasure trove. I always stock up on Ducray Ictyane emollient cream. It’s cheap as chips, and the one product that doesn’t leave my husband’s skin feeling tight. Teresa Tarmey

Colgate Wisps

These little on-the-go toothbrushes are one of my must-buys whenever I’m in the US. They’re perfect for travel.Natasha Sullivan, cabin crew

Homewares

Luxurious sheets

As soon as I set foot in Paris, I head straight to Merci. The store was the first to make washed bed linen and napkins feel truly beautiful. Over the years, I’ve slowly added to my collection, so now I’ve got almost every shade.Lucinda Chambers, co-founder of fashion curation site Collagerie

Vintage digestif glasses

I rarely come home from a trip without a tiny glass and a bottle of whatever the country is best known for. The glass usually comes from a market or dusty antique shop, and the bottle is always something local that’s hard to find at home. I last picked up a Manuel Vermouth while in Biarritz. Kirthanaa Naidu, stylist, cook and creative producer

Vases and other ceramics

You have to hunt around Marrakech’s souks, but that’s part of the fun. I’ve brought back beautifully coloured vases – which I use as carafes – and mugs. I love LRNCE studio, which brings together textiles, art and ceramics, with a use of colour that feels subtle and distinctive.Lucinda Chambers

Jugs and bowls

Sifnos is known as Greece’s ceramics island, thanks to its abundant clay supply, and it is home to some incredible potteries that have been producing pieces for generations. Up in Cheronissos Bay, you’ll find Kostas Depastas, who still uses a foot-operated wheel. He brings his love of engineering to his work, cleverly designing jugs and bowls alongside simple, spiral-decorated pieces.Lucy Williams

Silicone baking mats

E Dehillerin in Paris has every kitchen tool you could possibly imagine, especially for desserts and pastry. Their own-brand silpats (silicone baking mats) are my favourite – chic green and white. I have about 10 in different sizes.Imogen Kwok, chef

Antique buttons and baskets

I always make a point of visiting the local flea market wherever I go – I can’t resist picking up exquisitely made antique buttons to sew on to clothes, as well as old picture frames. I’ll also always find a way to bring home a couple of baskets – the safest way is in a large plastic striped market bag with a good shoulder strap. I love that almost every culture around the world has its own tradition of weaving with natural materials.Hikari Yokoyama, founder of design studio Naum House

Rugs

We’re often in Istanbul visiting my wife’s family, and I always make time for ?i?li’s Feriköy flea market. You can find all sorts of treasures there, including beautiful rugs at incredibly affordable prices.Patrick Williams

Art materials

In Milan, I came across Pellegrini Brera art shop after visiting the Pinacoteca di Brera, and now I go back every time I’m there. They have these brilliant architecture drafting stencils, which I use when putting together proposals for food installations – perfect for when I need a break from the computer.Imogen Kwok

Secondhand cameras

A highlight of any Tokyo trip has to be a visit to the Akihabara district – you feel like you’ve stepped into the future. There’s an abundance of used camera shops, and at Camera Kitamura I’ve picked up a mint condition, secondhand Fujifilm X10 at half the usual price. Lemon Camera and Imtiaz’s Camera Market are also great places to hunt for a bargain.Kash Bhattacharya