Italy
When I think of an easy, crowd-pleasing thing to bring back from Italy, artisanal pasta is a good pick because it does not need much explanation when you hand it over. Grains, pasta and rice are not glamorous, but they are useful, cheap and often taste different from the UK supermarket version. I would rate it higher when it is locally made, clearly labelled and easy to use at home, and lower when it is just tourist packaging.
Côte d’Ivoire
Cassava couscous used with grilled fish, chicken and sauces.
Bhutan
I would put Bhutanese red rice on the list for Bhutan because it is the kind of thing that feels useful once you are home, not just another airport purchase. Grains, pasta and rice are not glamorous, but they are useful, cheap and often taste different from the UK supermarket version. The reason it works is that it gives you a quick reminder of the trip without needing to keep a fragile ornament safe forever.
Bolivia
I would put Bolivian quinoa on the list for Bolivia because it is the kind of thing that feels useful once you are home, not just another airport purchase. Grains, pasta and rice are not glamorous, but they are useful, cheap and often taste different from the UK supermarket version. The reason it works is that it gives you a quick reminder of the trip without needing to keep a fragile ornament safe forever.
Peru
I would put Peruvian quinoa on the list for Peru because it is the kind of thing that feels useful once you are home, not just another airport purchase. Grains, pasta and rice are not glamorous, but they are useful, cheap and often taste different from the UK supermarket version. The reason it works is that it gives you a quick reminder of the trip without needing to keep a fragile ornament safe forever.
Vietnam
When I think of an easy, crowd-pleasing thing to bring back from Vietnam, rice paper wrappers is a good pick because it does not need much explanation when you hand it over. Grains, pasta and rice are not glamorous, but they are useful, cheap and often taste different from the UK supermarket version. I would rate it higher when it is locally made, clearly labelled and easy to use at home, and lower when it is just tourist packaging.