A confession must be made: this author harbors a certain disdain for the typical tourist trinket. Objects meant to evoke the phantom of a journey, or to inflict upon those unfortunate enough to have remained behind, rarely possess any genuine charm. However, there exist a select few souvenirs that can be both delightful to give and to receive. Presented for your consideration are a few unique souvenirs to be discovered within the vibrant land of Brazil, certain to be cherished by those fortunate enough to receive them.
Ideas for Great Souvenirs from Brazil
Coffee: Brazil is the top coffee-producing nation in the world so to bring Brazilian coffee home is to carry a concentrated essence of the place. With each careful preparation – the measuring of the water, the heating (to a temperature, one hopes, that is neither too lukewarm for pleasure nor so scalding as to strip the very soul from the brew), the patient waiting as the complex chemical reactions take their course – you are, in a small way, recreating a sliver of that distant land.
The aroma, a particularly perplexing and delightful phenomenon, will waft through your dwelling, a fragrant missive from the tropics. It speaks of sun-drenched mornings and the diligent work of countless hands. And then, of course, there is the taste. Depending on the particular variety, the roast, and the skill (or lack thereof, a common predicament in many human endeavors) of the preparer, it can be a dark and robust pronouncement, a smooth and subtle murmur, or even, in unfortunate circumstances, a bitter and rather disappointing presentation best left unexamined.
Thus, dear reader, Brazilian coffee as a souvenir is not a mere object. It is an experience, a fleeting but potent sensory reminder. It is the lingering memory of a place, held not in the palm of your hand, but on the tip of your tongue and within the very air you breathe.
Cachaça: Should a series of navigational errors lead you to Brazil, you may encounter a particular distilled spirit known as Cachaça. Cachaça is an alcoholic liquid that, like rum, is crafted from the fermented sugarcane juice, but asserts its own distinct identity from rum. Should you choose to transport a bottle of Cachaça back to your own dwelling as a souvenir, it would likely serve as a tangible, if somewhat potent, reminder of your Brazilian sojourn.
And should one then be tempted to attempt the preparation of a Caipirinha, one should, as always, approach the mixing of alcoholic beverages, and indeed the consumption of souvenirs in general, with a certain degree of caution and a clear understanding of one’s own limitations.
Havaianas: In Brazil, Havaianas brand flip-flops are affordable and ubiquitous, gracing the feet of individuals from all walks of life, and have, over time, become a sort of emblem of the Brazilian way of life, a symbol of a certain relaxed approach to existence. Havaianas come in a perplexing array of colors, a spectrum that can range from the mildly inoffensive to the truly retina-assaulting. As a souvenir, they offer a tangible reminder of the journey you have taken.
Canga: A canga is a piece of fabric, often adorned with a rather enthusiastic array of colors and patterns. It is typically fashioned from materials such as cotton or polyester, substances known for their ability to be not terribly heavy.
The primary function of a canga appears to be that of a beach wrap, a sort of temporary and rather breezy garment to be worn in the vicinity of sandy shores. However, its versatility, a quality often lauded in both objects and individuals, extends beyond this singular purpose. One can, with a certain amount of knot-tying ingenuity, transform it into a skirt, or even a sort of makeshift dress, a testament to the adaptability of both the fabric and the human form. It is also, one is given to understand, frequently employed as a substitute for a more conventional towel, possessing the rather commendable quality of drying with a certain keenness, unlike some things in life that tend to linger in a state of dampness.
As a souvenir, the canga is a relatively lightweight and easily transportable item, which is certainly a point in its favor, as the return journey from any distant land can often be burdened by the accumulated evidence of one’s travels. It is, in essence, a two-dimensional representation of a multi-dimensional experience, a simple rectangle of cloth meant to conjure the memory of a complex and vibrant country.
Brazilian jersey: A Brazilian soccer jersey is a rather noticeable garment. Typically, it presents itself in a particularly bright shade of yellow, usually accompanied by trim of a green. To acquire a Brazilian jersey as a souvenir is to acquire a tangible representation of a truly national obsession. Thus, should you choose to bring home one of these brightly colored garments, be aware that you are carrying with you a small, foldable, and entirely wearable piece of this fervent national spirit. Just be prepared for the possibility of unsolicited commentary from strangers who may, with a certain enthusiasm, wish to discuss the finer points of the latest match.
Swimwear: The swimwear of Brazil possesses a certain flair that sets it apart from the more modest aquatic attire one might encounter in other, perhaps more conservative, parts of the world. You will find a veritable kaleidoscope of colors and patterns – designs inspired by the exotic flora and fauna of the Amazon, or perhaps wild geometric patterns. But the true distinctiveness of Brazilian swimwear lies in the minimalist cut. These pieces often appear to be engaged in a rather determined endeavor to cover the smallest possible area of the wearer’s body. And to acquire a piece of Brazilian swimwear as a souvenir is to acquire not merely a garment for aquatic activities, but a small, and perhaps slightly revealing, piece of a culture that embraces the beach with an almost unparalleled enthusiasm.
Hammock: A Brazilian hammock, as a souvenir, is not merely a swath of woven fabric. Oh no. It is, in its essence, a peculiar portable perch allowing one to hang in a state of horizontal suspension. It promises repose. It promises a moment, or perhaps an entire afternoon, dedicated to the noble pursuit of doing very little indeed. It takes one’s mind back to swaying mindlessly with the mosquitos in the sultry breeze on an Amazon riverboat. Tasks that once seemed urgent might suddenly appear less so. The world outside the gentle embrace of the woven fibers might fade into a hazy, unimportant blur.
Fitinhas do Senhor do Bonfim: One can acquire fitinhas (colorful ribbons) from vendors who seem to materialize from thin air around Igreja Nossa Senhora do Bonfim in Salvador de Bahía. It is said that wrapping a fitinha around ones wrist, making three knots, and then making a wish for each knot, will bring about a favorable, if perhaps slightly delayed, outcome. One then waits for the ribbon to fall off naturally, at which point, one hopes, the wishes will be granted.
Here’s a complete guide to visiting Salvador de Bahía, where fitinhas can be found.
Brazilian beauty products: In Brazil, the endeavor to capture, enhance, or at the very least, approximate beauty often draws upon the seemingly endless bounty of the Amazon rainforest. Hence, you might encounter an array of creams and lotions and potions, each promising a touch of the fabled Brazilian glow. These concoctions are often imbued with the essence of fruits like cupuaçu, murumuru, or açaí. These ingredients, so we are told, possess a particular something that is said to nourish the skin, or perhaps the hair, in ways that the more mundane substances simply cannot.
Guarana products: Guarana is an Amazonian plant whose seeds contain double the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans. In modern Brazil, guarana has found its way into a surprising, and perhaps even bewildering, array of consumable forms.
Guarana powder is often sold in small packets or jars, and when added to beverages or food, imparts a certain energy that could only be described as akin to a squirrel discovering a particularly large cache of acorns. It is a gift that says, without speaking a single word, “I wish for you a period of heightened activity, possibly involving the reorganization of your entire kitchen.”
Guarana flavored soft drinks are ubiquitous in Brazil, with a flavor often described as slightly fruity, tart, and unique. Gifting a guarana soft drink may offer to mixed results, depending on the recipient’s particular palate and their tolerance for unexpected invigoration.
I hope you’ve been inspired by this list of Brazil souvenir ideas. If you’re looking for more, here are all of my posts about Brazil, including tips for planning your trip, and essential Brazil travel experiences.
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