The best local souvenirs to spot in Cyprus, in supermarkets
- FancifulRoamer
- Sep 14, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 23
When visiting a country, local shops are one of my favorite ways to experience the local culture. I love going to farmers' markets and trying out fresh, local foods. Since we usually can't bring home fresh produce, supermarkets are the next best thing.
Large or small shops will carry local snacks, spices that everyone uses, and other daily items.
These are the supermarket souvenirs I like to bring home from Cyprus.
Spices
If you stay in a rental with a kitchen, it's great to test them out and see what you like. You can choose from spices you don't usually use or local mixes. I like stocking up on mixes for chicken and grilled meats. Paprika-based mixes are my favorite.
Located at a crossroads of cultures, Cyprus has an extensive selection of spices. You can get Indian spices and curry mixes, Asian sauces, and Italian products. You will also find Greek-grown saffron at around 8 euros per gram.
Olive oil
You can find olive oil everywhere, even in fun bottles in souvenir shops. I don't usually buy olive oil from touristy souvenir shops. They may have been sitting there for a while, in a warm shop, in the sunlight.
Supermarkets have proper storage conditions and higher turnover for their products.
Pick an olive oil from a single controlled origin, with clear information on the label. The packaging should be opaque to keep the light out. When opened, a good olive oil should have a green hue and a fresh smell and taste. Flavors can range from herbal to fruity, without having been infused.
A Cypriot olive oil will elevate anything, from bread to salads to cooked dishes. Grab a nice bottle of balsamic to pair with it.
Local sweets
From the popular Soutzoukos to fruit-filled croissants, Cyprus markets are the best place for local treats.
Soutzoukos is the traditional Cypriot sweet made from fresh grape juice and almonds. They look like sausages and are packed in vacuum-sealed bags. They come in different colors, which are made by adding fruit juices, like pomegranate.
Other traditional sweets are sesame bars, brittle, and fruit preserves called 'spoon sweets'. Spoon sweets are fruit pieces or citrus peels preserved in sugar syrup. They are served on a spoon, along with a glass of water.
The chocolate and fruit-filled croissants from 7 days are the treats I always look for. They're different from a butter croissant, but soft and delicious. My favorites are chocolate-coconut and sparkling wine.
Loukoumi
Just like Turkey has Turkish delights, Cyprus has its own Cypriot delights- loukoumi. These are colorful jellies made from fruit juice, cut into squares, and rolled in powdered sugar. Some loukoumi have floral flavors or have chopped nuts mixed in. They are very sweet, so they go well with a black coffee.
For a healthier option, I recommend local thyme honey. The beekeepers plant a lot of thyme close to the hive. The bees use the nectar from thyme flowers, as well as wildflowers. The taste is naturally herby, different from regular honey. The first taste was odd, but I got hooked- it's so delicious.
Pastries
You cannot miss Cypriot pastries. Zorba Bakery is a must-try, but all supermarkets have a section for fresh bread and pastries.
My favorites were the ones filled with cheese.
Fresh bread is part of the culture, and it is baked and bought fresh every day. The same with pastries. They make a delicious breakfast and a perfect on-the-go snack.
Zorba has a huge selection of pastries, pizza slices, cookies, and sweet treats. We visited a few times, and I still think about the pastries.
The best road trip (or everyday) snacks are fresh pastries and freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. There are shops specializing in fresh juices, and orange and pomegranate are the most popular.
Toiletries
Toiletries can be practical and unique souvenirs that people will enjoy, instead of throwing them in a drawer forever.
Opt for olive oil soap bars and lotions that are locally made, or at least made in Greece.
Make sure you visit the Donkey Sanctuary while in Cyprus. The donkeys have a nice life, but they contribute to their upkeep. You can buy donkey milk bath products and lotions to bring back home.
Cleopatra was rumored to bathe in donkey milk in order to preserve the beauty and youthfulness of her skin.
Wine
Like Greece, Cyprus produces tasty, underrated wines. I recommend having a tasting or two while you visit and see what you like more. Sweet wines are popular here.
The most popular indigenous grapes are Mavro for the black grapes and Xynisteri for the white grapes.
Shops have so many affordable wines, even in small bottles. You can bring home a mix and have a tasting with friends. It's a perfect souvenir for the next dinner or gathering.
Zivania is another alcoholic souvenir to try. It's a strong spirit, made by distilling grape pulp and dry wines. Not a personal favorite, but a unique taste, only made in Cyprus.
Carob
Mediterranean people have long been using carob for everything. It's been used in traditional medicine, baking, and beverages.
In more recent times, carob seeds were used to produce camera film. Carob is used as a sweetener, in salad dressings, sauces, and added to animal feed.
Cyprus has been an exporter of carob for thousands of years. It is part of the culture and a huge part of the rural economy.
The taste of carob is like a distant cousin of chocolate. It is more sweet and less bitter and has a roasted flavor. It's processed into a powder that is then added to various products. Unlike chocolate, it contains no caffeine.
Olives or olive spread
Olives always taste better in the Mediterranean. Always choose green olives or Kalamata, they're the tastiest.
Black olives are my least favorite, I find them bland. They are picked when they're not ripe. Then they are cured in a mix of brine and lye, which oxidizes the olives, turning them black.
Olives are perfect on their own with a piece of baguette. Or added to a cheese board. Next time you make a chicken stew, throw in some Kalamata olives, it's delicious.
If you cannot bring olives back to your country, choose a jar of olive spread. Again, I'd go with the Kalamata one. You can make a tasty snack with a slice of sourdough, olive spread, and a slice of tomato or mozzarella. Or both.
Of course, I still purchase my fair share of t-shirts, magnets, handmade jewelry, and everything cats. But these are some of the best and most unique souvenirs that everyone will enjoy.
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