Enticing Edible Souvenirs From Every State in the USA
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
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
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
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
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
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
Few chocolate bars look or taste as gift-worthy as those from Los Angeles-based Compartes Chocolate (from $10).
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Show your appreciation with a classic Hawaiian souvenir: Mauna Loa Chocolate-Covered Macadamias (5.5 oz. tin for $9).
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
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
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
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
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'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
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'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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Malty, chocolate-hued, and slightly sweet, Montana's Moose Drool Brown Ale ($10 for six) wins both on the flavor and cheeky-name fronts.
Nebraska: Bakers Chocolate Meltaways
Bakers Chocolate Meltaways ($9) — so called because they "melt-a-way when applied to the tongue" — make for a festive reminder of a vacation spent in Nebraska.
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
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
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
A trip to the Jersey Shore isn't complete without sampling Shriver's Salt Water Taffy ($19).
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
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
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
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
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
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
Chokecherries — North Dakota's state fruit — add zing to gift-worthy Chokecherry Creams ($17).
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
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.
Oklahoma: Woody Candy Chewy Caramel Pralines
Woody Candy Chewy Caramel Pralines ($2) are sure to sweeten their day.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
"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
Given that Utah's state symbol is a beehive, a jar of Cox Honeyland Creamed Honey ($2) is an apt souvenir.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
While in Wyoming, snag a package of Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Co. buffalo jerky (from $10) for a meaty take-home treat.