What To Buy In Canada

1. Kraft Dinner

Canadian KD, as Kraft Dinner has come to be affectionately and formally known, is the country’s de-facto national dish, becoming popular at a time when many homes in the country did not have refrigerators. These packaged, neon-coloured pasta tubes feature a lot of varieties in Canada and are the go-to food item for university students as well. When you’re out buying Canadian souvenirs, you just cannot miss out on buying the most popular grocery item in the country!

2. Inuksuk figures

Originally made from stone by the Inuit people residing in Arctic Canada, inuksuk/inuksuk figures essentially mimic the human anatomy. They were originally used as communication tools and navigational aids like route markers and signposts, as well as for hunting by the Inuit living in a treeless Tundra. The inuksuk figures gained prominence during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, and today they feature as figurines, standalone sculptures, and even on t-shirts and as jewelry as well. Today, they’re available in many colors and textures, making for memorable souvenirs.

3. Ice cider

The sweet, delectable liqueur of ice cider made from frozen apples is a specialty of Quebec and was first developed in 1990. Also known as cidre de glace, this popular beverage is made via alcoholic fermentation of pressed frozen apple juice. If you’re dining on fine cheeses, game meat dishes, foie gras dishes, and pates, there’s no better beverage to complement than ice cider. If you’re looking to pick up ice cider, Domaine Pinnacle and Neige Apple Ice Wine are the most popular ones. In fact, 2019 saw the Canadian ice cider complete 30 years!

4. Hudson's Bay Point Blanket

One of the most unique and meaningful things you can pick up when visiting Canada is a Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket, an iconic wool blanket that has been keeping Canadians warm since 1780 - or even earlier! Available in king, queen, double, and twin sizes, these blankets feature the iconic HBC multi-stripes of indigo, yellow, red, and green, which are also known as the Queen’s colors. In fact, the blankets were coveted by First Nations denizens, who traded their beaver pelts with English settlers in exchange for the blankets! Today, HBC blankets have become heirlooms of sorts.

5. Purdy’s Chocolates

If you really want to make your family back home go crazy over a souvenir from Canada, bring them a sweet food souvenir that is irresistible - chocolates from Purdy’s. Not only is Purdys worth the prices that you’ll pay for them, but it is also worth the trouble - and how! Their range of chocolates includes almond crunch, mint meltaways, marzipan, and cherries, all covered by a layer of gooey, sinfully dark chocolate. Purdy’s has also kept up with the times, introducing ‘foodie’ and gourmet flavors such as chocolates flavored with raspberry balsamic vinegar, fruity Indonesian lampong pepper and even Himalayan pink salt.

6. Canadian maple syrup

For centuries in Canada, the maple tree has been invaluable. Originally, the aboriginal people harvested liquid gold from maple trees, with the English settlers enhancing and improving the process. Canada is only one of the two countries manufacturing maple syrup, with the Quebec province producing more than anywhere else in the world. Maple syrup, which is known as “liquid gold” is the very symbol of Canadian culture, so make sure to take this signature Canadian product back with you!

7. Ice wine

The cousin of ice cider, ice wine is a sweet wine made from vine-hanging, naturally frozen grapes. Traditionally served ice-chilled after the meal, Canadian ice wine possesses concentrated sweetness and flavor, and hence is best enjoyed when complemented with non-sweet foods. Some of the favorites of ice wines include Vidal Blanc, Slyvaner, Cabernet Franc, Gewurtztraminer, and Riesling. If you really want to pick up true ice wine, then one of the best places to get them is at Niagara Falls - a place you’ll definitely visit on your Canadian sojourn.

8. Pineapple Crush Pop

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Did you know that there is a particular flavor of the world-famous “Crush” brand that can be found only in Canada? Fun meets flavor in the wonderfully delicious Pineapple Crush Pop, which is extremely popular among Canadian denizens and is not so easily available. The pineapple pop is manufactured in Newfoundland and Labrador, and it is distributed across from there, and the recipe to which is a well-kept secret for obvious reasons! So, if you’re visiting Newfoundland on your Canadian trip, do walk into a theme store and stack up on Pineapple Crush Pops.

9. Hawkins Cheezies

Some might say that Hawkins Cheezies are similar to Cheetos Crunchies, but staunch loyalists of the former claim that there’s only one Cheezies. This delicious cheese curl snack food was invented just after World War II and it is one of the most popular and requested food souvenirs from the Great White North. However, the best part about Cheetos’ crunchier, deep-fried Canadian cousin is the wonderful aged Canadian cheddar coating on top.

10. Maple-based foods

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Maple syrup might be the most widely available maple product out there in Canada, but it’s certainly not the only one! Maple chocolate, maple biscuits, maple cookies, maple butter, maple candy – Canadian maple syrup can literally be made into anything and it’ll taste amazing. Are you a pancake lover? There are maple pancake mixes with the following flavors - chocolate, cranberries, blueberries, and cinnamon. Do you want to take back maple-based candies? There’s nougat, popcorn, cotton candy, and more. There are even maple caramel and maple jelly for you to eat with your slices of bread at breakfast!

Amazing souvenirs from Canada

Clearly, you will have to either travel to Canada with an empty bag or buy one there to fit in all that you’ll buy during your holiday. Indulge in long shopping sprees and snap up these amazing Canadian goodies that are found only in the Great White North, and nowhere else.