Enticing Edible Souvenirs From Every State in the USA

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Put down the baseball caps, shot glasses, and other tchotchkes at the gift shop — they'll just gather dust. Instead, seek out an edible souvenir from your Summer travels. Whether you're traversing through the Pacific Northwest, Deep South, New England, or elsewhere in our fair nation, there's sure to be a transportable treat that promises to serve as a mouthwatering reminder of your travels. From the sweet to the savory and everything in between, there's a treat for everyone. Bonus: these edible finds serve as thoughtful thank-you gifts, too.

— Additional reporting by Susannah Chen, Ryan Roschke, and Katie Thurber

Alabama: Dreamland BBQ Sauce
Facebook | Dreamland BBQ

Alabama: Dreamland BBQ Sauce

Since it'd be tricky to transport a slab of BBQ-sauce-slathered ribs, do the next best thing and bring back a taste of Dreamland Bar-B-Que — a much-loved Alabama BBQ chain — with Dreamland BBQ Sauce (from $3).

Alabama: Tucker Pecans

Alabama: Tucker Pecans

Your house sitter will go nuts for Tucker Pecans (from $37). For an extraspecial touch, enclose a recipe for gooey pecan pie.

Alaska: Alaska Chip Co. Grizzly Barbecue Chips
Flickr user wonderlane

Alaska: Alaska Chip Co. Grizzly Barbecue Chips

Extrathick (and extracrunchy), Alaska Chip Company Grizzly Barbecue Chips ($34 for 15 bags) will give 'em a taste of Alaska while satisfying salty-snack cravings.

Arizona: Poore Brothers Chips
Facebook | Poore Brothers

Arizona: Poore Brothers Chips

Arizona-made Poore Brothers Chips ($2 each in stores, or $37 for 72) bring the flavor in zesty options like Sweet Chili & Red Pepper and Three Cheese Jalapeño.

Arkansas: Diamond Bear Beer

Arkansas: Diamond Bear Beer

Stop by Diamond Bear in Little Rock, AK, for a brewery tour, then tote home a six-pack of IPA (about $9) for a frothy, fizzy souvenir.

California: Compartes Chocolate
POPSUGAR Photography | Macy Williams

California: Compartes Chocolate

Few chocolate bars look or taste as gift-worthy as those from Los Angeles-based Compartes Chocolate (from $10).

California: Philz Coffee
Flickr user kennejima

California: Philz Coffee

Brighten up mornings with a bag of beans from Northern California's Philz Coffee. Our top pick: Tesora ($18 for 1 lb.), a rich, nutty medium roast that's one of the chain's most popular blends.

California: See's Candy
Facebook | See's Candies

California: See's Candy

Gallivanted about California and forgot to grab an edible memento? See's Candy is available in many airport gift shops throughout the state. Snag a box of Nuts and Chews ($20 for a 1 lb. box) or any of their many other assortments, and you'll have your bases covered.

Colorado: Chocolove Chocolate

Colorado: Chocolove Chocolate

For a sweet taste of Colorado, surprise with an assortment of Chocolove Chocolate Bars (from $16 for 12) in flavors like Almonds & Sea Salt, Ginger in Dark Chocolate, or Pretzel in Milk Chocolate.

Colorado: Black Forest Bison Sausage

Colorado: Black Forest Bison Sausage

Give the avid carnivore in your life a charcuterie-platter-ready Black Forest Bison Summer Sausage ($15) sourced from a Colorado bison ranch.

Connecticut: Bridgewater Chocolates

Connecticut: Bridgewater Chocolates

For chocolate with a storied pedigree, bring back a box of treats from Bridgewater Chocolates, a Connecticut favorite founded by one of Aquavit's former chefs (the same New York City restaurant where Marcus Samuelsson honed his skills). Our suggestion: Bridgewater Chocolate's Toffee ($23), or any of its variety of truffles, marzipan, and chocolates.

Delaware: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head

Delaware: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

Bring back a few bottles of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA ($12 for four), a smooth, creamy, and mildly bitter IPA. Not a fan of the hoppy style? The Delaware-based craft brewery boasts plenty of other options.

Florida: Intoxi-Tators Especially Spicy Bloody Mary Potato Chips

Florida: Intoxi-Tators Especially Spicy Bloody Mary Potato Chips

Inspired by classic salty tipples like margaritas and Bloody Marys, Intoxi-Tators (from $1; look for them in stores) are an unusual taste of Southern Florida.

Georgia: Geraldine's Bodacious Food Company's Cheese Straws

Georgia: Geraldine's Bodacious Food Company's Cheese Straws

If you're bringing back a souvenir for someone with a solid sense of humor, consider Geraldine's Bodacious Food Company's Cheese Straws ($20 for four boxes) — they promise to taste as delicious as they proclaim.

Hawaii: Li Hing Mui Sour Candy

Hawaii: Li Hing Mui Sour Candy

Li hing mui, a sour, plum-based powder popular throughout Hawaii and some Asian countries, may shock on first taste, but that's half the fun. For a subtle introduction to it, give them Li Hing Sour Mix ($4) — sour gummy candies dusted in the powder. Those with more adventurous palates will appreciate extrazesty Li Hing Mui Dried Plums ($14).

Hawaii: Mauna Loa Chocolate-Covered Macadamias

Hawaii: Mauna Loa Chocolate-Covered Macadamias

Show your appreciation with a classic Hawaiian souvenir: Mauna Loa Chocolate-Covered Macadamias (5.5 oz. tin for $9).

Idaho: Blue Ice Vodka

Idaho: Blue Ice Vodka

Pay tribute to Idaho's famous potato crop with a bottle of award-winning Blue Ice Potato Vodka ($23).

Illinois: Garrett Popcorn
Flickr user johnjoh

Illinois: Garrett Popcorn

While Garrett Popcorn ($33 for one gallon) comes in other flavors than the Chicago Mix — an oddly addictive combination of caramel and cheese popcorn — we'd recommend sticking to this classic for a treat that's truly of a place.

Illinois: Frango Mints

Illinois: Frango Mints

Before it transformed into a Macy's, a trip to Chicago's iconic Marshall Field's department store necessitated purchasing a box of
Frango Mint Chocolates ($21). Thankfully, the melt-in-your-mouth sweets live on.

Indiana: Just Pop in Popcorn

Indiana: Just Pop in Popcorn

For truly out-of-the-box popcorn flavors (think white chocolate-peanut butter, piña colada, or cheddar and ranch), try Indianapolis-based Just Pop in Popcorn. If space in your suitcase is particularly limited, tuck in a petite container of its popcorn seasoning ($8) in flavors like cinnamon sugar, dill pickle, or barbecue.

Iowa: La Quercia

Iowa: La Quercia

Everything in La Quercia's line of acorn-fed pork products — including its
Prosciutto Americano ($14) — is a true gourmet treat, and proof that domestic prosciutto can rival Italian.

Iowa: Maytag Dairy

Iowa: Maytag Dairy

Iowa's Maytag Blue Cheese (from $24 for 8 oz.) is salty, rich, and mild, making it a much-appreciated gift.

Kansas: Grandma Hoerner's Foods

Kansas: Grandma Hoerner's Foods

Grandma Hoerner's Foods may look like just a barn off the highway, but inside, it's a treasure chest of any sauce, jelly, or butter you can dream up. They craft everything from classic barbecue sauces to red pepper jelly to pumpkin butter ($7). There's really something for everyone.

Kentucky: Derby-Pie

Kentucky: Derby-Pie

Kentucky's iconic chocolate-nut Derby-Pie ($18) is so beloved that its makers sought out trademark protection to ward off their many imitators. While it's a treat any way you slice it, suggest that they try it warmed through or blended with vanilla ice cream and a splash of milk for a decadent pie shake.

Kentucky: Bourbon Balls

Kentucky: Bourbon Balls

Filled with bourbon and topped off with a pecan, Ruth Hunt Candies' Bourbon Balls (from $17) are a gift-worthy sweet.

Louisiana: Café du Monde Chicory Coffee
Flickr user aloha75

Louisiana: Café du Monde Chicory Coffee

First, seek out one of New Orleans's iconic pairings: ethereal powdered-sugar-dusted beignets and a mug of chicory coffee. Then, snag a can or two of the Coffee and Chicory ($22 for pack of 3) to tote home.

Louisiana: Crystal Hot Sauce

Louisiana: Crystal Hot Sauce

Satisfy a penchant for spice with a bottle of Crystal Hot Sauce ($9), a vinegar-based condiment that graces many a Louisiana table.

Maine: Stonewall Kitchen's Wild Maine Blueberry Jam

Maine: Stonewall Kitchen's Wild Maine Blueberry Jam

Tart, tiny, and bursting with the essence of blueberry, Maine's wild blueberries are a treat in their own right, but they're not terribly transport-friendly. For a more practical taste of this prized produce, bring home a jar of Stonewall Kitchen's Wild Maine Blueberry Jam (from $4).

Maine: Sea Dog Brewing

Maine: Sea Dog Brewing

If they prefer their brews with a dose of fruity freshness (and a cheery pup-emblazoned label), pick up a six-pack of Sea Dog Brewing Company's Raspberry Wheat Ale, Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale, or Apricot Wheat Beer (all $12 for six).

Maryland: Old Bay Potato Chips

Maryland: Old Bay Potato Chips

Maryland and Old Bay Seasoning are practically synonymous, so make certain to bring home a few bags of Herr's Old Bay Potato Chips ($27 for 16) if you find yourself traveling through the coastal state.

Massachusetts: Dunkin' Donuts
Flickr user dasqfamily

Massachusetts: Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts may be popular throughout the East Coast, but it was first founded in Quincy, MA, a Boston suburb. Make sure to stop off at one of the company's ubiquitous shops to pick up a pound of coffee beans ($9) and a doughnut or two — we're fiercely loyal to their glazed Munchkins and Boston Kreme varieties — for a sweet souvenir.

Massachusetts: Sky Bar
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Massachusetts: Sky Bar

For a nostalgic option, consider the Sky Bar ($36 for 24), a classic New England-made chocolate that's sectioned off into four flavors: fudge, vanilla, peanut, and caramel.

Michigan: McClure's Pickles

Michigan: McClure's Pickles

We're smitten with anything and everything McClure's, from the company's Bloody Mary Mix ($12) to its Spicy Garlic Pickles ($12 per jar), and we strongly suspect that whomever you give a jar to will feel the same way.

Michigan: Zingerman's
Flickr user Jason Crotty

Michigan: Zingerman's

Perhaps best known for its Reuben sandwiches, but also for an assortment of baked goods and sweets like its Sourcream Coffeecake ($55) and Zzang! Candy Bars ($6), Zingerman's is a must-stop shop for edible souvenirs.

Minnesota: Wild Rice
Flickr user mealmakeovermoms

Minnesota: Wild Rice

Bring home a bag of Minnesota wild rice (from $5 per pound) — which contrary to its name isn't a true rice, but rather a grass — for the avid cook.

Minnesota: Pearson's Nut Goodie
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Minnesota: Pearson's Nut Goodie

Maple fondant, peanuts, and chocolate mingle in Pearson's Nut Goodies ($30 for 24), a classic candy from St. Paul, MN.

Mississippi: Mississippi State Edam Cheese

Mississippi: Mississippi State Edam Cheese

A wheel of Mississippi State University's Edam ($23) would make for a savory souvenir for the fromage fiend in your life.

Missouri: Gooey Louie St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

Missouri: Gooey Louie St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

Trying a slice of sweet, dense (and gooey) St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake, like that from Gooey Louie ($12), is practically a rite of passage when traveling through Missouri. Just make sure to bring home a cake to share.

Missouri: Bissinger's Chocolatier

Missouri: Bissinger's Chocolatier

Whether you're looking for gummy bears in exotic flavors like pomegranate white tea ($4) or something a bit more traditional like nonpareils ($29 for 1 lb.) or Molasses Puffs ($36 for 1 lb.), Bissinger's is the Missouri chocolatier to check out.

Montana: Larchwood Farms Huckleberry Jam

Montana: Larchwood Farms Huckleberry Jam

If you can't make it to Montana's Huckleberry Festival, do the next best thing and bring home a jar of Larchwood Farms Huckleberry Jam ($15). Try it slathered on toast or dolloped on a bowl of ice cream.

Montana: Moose Drool Brown Ale
Flickr user wickenden

Montana: Moose Drool Brown Ale

Malty, chocolate-hued, and slightly sweet, Montana's Moose Drool Brown Ale ($10 for six) wins both on the flavor and cheeky-name fronts.

Nevada: ChocoRocks

Nevada: ChocoRocks

Pay homage to Nevada's gold-mining industry with a bag of ChocoRocks Gold Nuggets ($9).

New Hampshire: L.A. Burdick Chocolate Mice

New Hampshire: L.A. Burdick Chocolate Mice

Don't let their adorable, bordering-on-twee shape fool you: L.A. Burdick's Chocolate Mice (from $34) are an expertly made treat. Alternatively, bring home a box of the company's petite truffles that come in a variety of exotic flavors.

New Jersey: Taylor Ham

New Jersey: Taylor Ham

Taylor Ham ($25 for 3 lbs.) — a New Jersey diner staple often served pan-fried in a breakfast sandwich — makes for a savory, salty souvenir that avid meat eaters will surely appreciate.

New Jersey: Salt Water Taffy

New Jersey: Salt Water Taffy

A trip to the Jersey Shore isn't complete without sampling Shriver's Salt Water Taffy ($19).

New Mexico: Hatch Green Chiles
Flickr user nanpalermo

New Mexico: Hatch Green Chiles

Green chiles are big business in New Mexico as a component of the region's iconic green chile sauce and many other dishes. If you're visiting during their harvest season (early Fall), seek out freshly roasted chiles (prices vary); the rest of the year, try frozen or canned options.

New Mexico: Piñon Coffee

New Mexico: Piñon Coffee

Coffee drinkers will appreciate a bag of New Mexico's piñon coffee ($10), a rich and nutty blend of coffee beans and roasted pine nuts.

New York: Zabar's Bagels
Facebook | Zabar's

New York: Zabar's Bagels

If you're looking to get into a heated discussion with a New Yorker, ask him or her where to get the best bagels. One solid option: Zabar's NY Bagels ($10 for six). While you're there, make sure to check out the gourmet shop's other enticing wares like knishes, halvah, pickles, babka, and more.

New York: Fox's U-Bet Syrup

New York: Fox's U-Bet Syrup

Purists will argue that a proper egg cream must be made with Brooklyn-made Fox's U-Bet Chocolate Syrup ($2), so make sure to snag a bottle to take home.

New York: Black and White Cookies
Facebook | Zabar's

New York: Black and White Cookies

Bring home a package of Black and White Cookies ($12) for avid Seinfeld fans or anyone who can appreciate a sweet treat.

North Carolina: Cheerwine Soda
Flickr user donhomer

North Carolina: Cheerwine Soda

Popularized in recent years beyond its regional reach but still tricky to track down outside of its home state, Cheerwine ($22 for 24-pack), aka "the nectar of North Carolina", is a must-try retro soda find.

North Dakota: Chokecherry Cordials
Facebook | Mikey's Country Candy

North Dakota: Chokecherry Cordials

Chokecherries — North Dakota's state fruit — add zing to gift-worthy Chokecherry Creams ($17).

Ohio: Skyline Chili

Ohio: Skyline Chili

While in Cincinnati, dig into a bowl of Skyline Chili — spaghetti topped with chili and a mound of shredded cheddar cheese — at the source. To re-create it at home, bring home Skyline's packaged version (from $17 for 2-pack).

Ohio: Buckeye Candy

Ohio: Buckeye Candy

If they go nutty for the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, bring them home a package of Buckeye Candy ($18 for 1 lb.), an Ohio confection that combines the two to great effect.

Oregon: Pok Pok Som Drinking Vinegar
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Oregon: Pok Pok Som Drinking Vinegar

Bring home a taste of Pok Pok — Portland's James Beard Award-winning Thai street food restaurant — with Pok Pok Som Tamarind Drinking Vinegar ($15), a mouth-puckering, shrub-like syrup we love in tamarind dark and stormy cocktails.

Oregon: Stumptown Coffee
Flickr user potentialpast

Oregon: Stumptown Coffee

Whether their cup of joe of choice is cold-brewed to perfection or piping hot, Stumptown Coffee (from $15 per 12 oz.) will have you covered on the gift front.

Pennsylvania: Bauman's Apple Butter

Pennsylvania: Bauman's Apple Butter

For a taste of rustic Pennsylvania, look no further than Bauman's fruit butters ($20 for 3). Talk about all-natural: free of pectin or thickeners, the company's fruit spreads are simply made from fruits and spices.

Pennsylvania: Uncle Henry's Pretzels
Facebook | Uncle Henry's Pretzel Bakery

Pennsylvania: Uncle Henry's Pretzels

Another favorite is Uncle Henry's Pretzels (from $14), which boast "hard Pretzels with just the right amount of salt to tempt your taste buds." The snacks are hand-twisted in the heart of Dutch country.

Rhode Island: Autocrat Coffee Syrup
Flickr user spablab

Rhode Island: Autocrat Coffee Syrup

Coffee syrup is a culinary cornerstone of the Ocean State, especially Autocrat coffee syrup ($13), which was the first to be created in 1895. It's central to the state's iconic coffee milk.

Rhode Island: Del's Lemonade
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Rhode Island: Del's Lemonade

The slushy, icy drink known as Del's is everywhere in Rhode Island. Re-create the experience at home with a bucket of Del's Lemonade mix ($12 for 4-pack).

South Carolina: Benne Wafers

South Carolina: Benne Wafers

For a specialty unique to the Lowcountry, try benne seed wafers, a sesame seed cookie made with brown sugar, salt, and toasted benne (sesame) seeds. The version from Olde Colony Bakery (from $5) has been around for more than 70 years.

South Dakota: Dakota Style Potato Chips
Facebook | Dakota Style

South Dakota: Dakota Style Potato Chips

What makes Dakota Style Potato Chips (from $1) so special? For one, the company grows its own potatoes ("when the nearest convenience store is 25 miles away, you learn to do things yourself," the company proclaims). Then it cooks the sliced potatoes in an open kettle in small batches, seasoning the snacks by hand.

Tennessee: Goo Goo Cluster

Tennessee: Goo Goo Cluster

Goo Goo Clusters (from $6) are as synonymous with Nashville as country music; the candy bar of nougat, caramel, and roasted peanuts covered in chocolate has been around since 1912, when it was the first candy bar created that wasn't simply all chocolate. Fun fact: the candy's name is believed to mimic the sound a baby makes.

Texas: Big Red
Flickr user nanpalermo

Texas: Big Red

"Deliciously different!" Big Red boasts. Indeed, the North Texas soda — which tastes akin to a cream soda — looks and tastes distinctly different from any other cola on the market, thanks in large part to its bright-crimson color. In the Lone Star State, a Juneteenth celebration isn't complete without a cold pack of Big Red ($33 for 24).

Utah: Cox Honeyland Creamed Honey

Utah: Cox Honeyland Creamed Honey

Given that Utah's state symbol is a beehive, a jar of Cox Honeyland Creamed Honey ($2) is an apt souvenir.

Vermont: Maple Products

Vermont: Maple Products

A trip to Vermont is hardly complete without stocking up on a variety of maple products from luxurious, spreadable maple cream ($17) to maple syrup ($29), and Maple Moose Pops ($2) for candy-lovers.

Vermont: Grafton Village Cheddar

Vermont: Grafton Village Cheddar

For a quirky gift, bring home a cheddar trio ($40) from Grafton Village. The cheeses range in age from one to four years.

Vermont: Lake Champlain Chocolate

Vermont: Lake Champlain Chocolate

While any sweet from Lake Champlain Chocolate would make for a tasty treat, the shop's Chocolates of Vermont (from $39) — made with local Vermont honey, maple syrup, and cream — are a particularly apt souvenir.

Virginia: Route 11 Potato Chips

Virginia: Route 11 Potato Chips

From Mama Zuma's Revenge (a habanero-barbecue hybrid) to Dill Pickle and even Chesapeake Crab, there's a flavor from Route 11 Potato Chips ($35 for 12) to please nearly any proclivity.

Washington: Fran's Chocolates

Washington: Fran's Chocolates

Salty, chewy, and pretty much just perfect, Fran's Salted Caramels (from $15) — the chocolate shop that kicked off the salted caramel trend — are a must-buy souvenir when traveling to Washington.

Washington: Smoked Salmon

Washington: Smoked Salmon

Bring home a variety of smoked salmon options from Seabear Wild Salmon ($60 for 6 0z.) for a seafood souvenir that's a hair less perishable than a fresh fillet.

Washington: Theo Chocolate
Facebook | Theo Chocolate

Washington: Theo Chocolate

Available in inventive flavors like Chai Tea, Bread and Chocolate, and Fig, Fennel & Almond, chocolates from Theo ($4) will serve as a sweet reminder of your time spent in the Pacific Northwest.

West Virginia: Hot Pepper Butter

West Virginia: Hot Pepper Butter

Add to their condiment stash with West's Best Hot Pepper Butter (from $6), a sweet and spicy spread that's made from West Virginia hot peppers and honey.

Wisconsin: Usinger's Deli Meats

Wisconsin: Usinger's Deli Meats

If you're aiming to satisfy an avid carnivore, look no further than Usinger's Bratwurst ($4), a traditional German-style pork and veal sausage.

Wisconsin: Pleasant Ridge Reserve

Wisconsin: Pleasant Ridge Reserve

Nutty, crystallized, and similar in flavor to a cage-aged gruyère, Pleasant Ridge Reserve ($35 per lb.) has handily earned each accolade it's been awarded.

Wyoming: Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Co. Jerky

Wyoming: Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Co. Jerky

While in Wyoming, snag a package of Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Co. buffalo jerky (from $10) for a meaty take-home treat.