Tunisia, a country full of sunshine, history, and excellent culinary specialties. High-quality olive oil, aromatic spices, or Tunisian dates are among my favorite things to bring home. What do I consider the best culinary souvenirs from Tunisia?
Gastronomic Souvenirs from Tunisia
Tunisian Couscous
Couscous is a staple of North African cuisine, and Tunisia is no exception. This traditional side dish is made from wheat semolina and served with meat, vegetables, or seafood. This time, I chose couscous made from wheat, barley, oats, corn, and soy. I regularly bring couscous from North Africa, and I have always been thrilled by its quality and flavor, which is far superior to what is typically available in Czechia.
Price for a 500 g package of Tunisian couscous: 1.460 TND (0.45 EUR)
Tunisian Olive Oil
Tunisia is one of the largest producers of olive oil in the world. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate and traditional pressing methods, Tunisian olive oil boasts a rich flavor and high quality. I recommend choosing extra virgin olive oil from small local presses, as it has an intense flavor. I brought back the premium Oléa Amiri oil, which has won several awards at international competitions.
Price for a 750 ml bottle of Tunisian olive oil Oléa Amiri: 40.600 TND (12.40 EUR)
Tunisian Wine
Tunisia has a long winemaking tradition that dates back to the time of the Phoenicians. The most famous wine-producing regions are Cap Bon and the areas around the capital city. Tunisians have learned a lot about winemaking from the French, so Tunisian wines are of excellent quality and available at reasonable prices.
Price for a 0.75 l bottle of Tunisian wine: 30 TND (9.20 EUR)
Tunisian Dates
Tunisian dates are among the highest quality in the world. The most popular variety, Deglet Nour, is renowned for its honey-like flavor and soft texture. Dates are often sold in gift packages or stuffed with almonds and nuts.
Tunisian Chocolate
Tunisian chocolate may not be as famous as Belgian or Swiss chocolate, but I simply love bringing chocolate home from my travels 😊. All of this Tunisian chocolate was already eaten by the time I wrote this article, and I must say it truly “did not disappoint.”
Price for Tunisian milk chocolate: 4 TND (1.20 EUR)
Price for Tunisian extra dark chocolate: 2.560 TND (0.80 EUR)
Price for Tunisian coffee-flavored chocolate: 5.190 TND (1.60 EUR)
Tunisian Halva
Halva is a traditional sweet made from sesame paste and sugar. The Tunisian version is often enriched with almonds, pistachios, or chocolate. Halva has a slightly crumbly texture and an intense sesame flavor. This time, halva made up the largest portion of my Tunisian culinary souvenirs.
Price for 350 g of Tunisian halva with nuts: 11.500 TND (3.50 EUR)
Price for 200 g of Tunisian halva with nuts and fruit: 6.460 TND (2 EUR)
Tunisian Bread Spice Mix
Spice mixes play a key role in Tunisian cuisine. I’ve been baking bread at home regularly every week since Covid, so when I saw a local bread spice mix in a store, I knew it had to be mine. While it’s probably meant for sweet breads, I enjoy it even in rye bread (yes, yes, I know!).
Price for 118 g of Tunisian bread spice mix: 1.760 TND (0.55 EUR)
Tunisian Bsissa
Bsissa is a traditional breakfast mix made from roasted grains, legumes, and spices. It is prepared by mixing it with olive oil, sugar or honey, and water into a paste that is eaten with dates or bread. Bsissa is highly nutritious and loved for its long shelf life. For me, it’s Tunisian “Nutella” 😇
Price for 344 g of Tunisian bsissa with dried fruit: 2.890 TND (0.90 EUR)
Price for Tunisian bsissa made from wheat: 4.600 TND (1.40 EUR)
Price for Tunisian bsissa made from barley: 4.190 TND (1.30 EUR)
Sorghum Flour with Sesame
Sorghum flour is commonly used in Tunisia. Mixed with sesame, it gives baked goods a nutty flavor and is rich in fiber. Sorghum is considered a superfood for the future, but I haven’t yet found my way to it in the Czech Republic. That’s why I wanted to try this Tunisian version.
Price for Tunisian sorghum flour with sesame: 8.190 TND (2.50 EUR)
Tunisian Caramels
Tunisians love sweets, so I brought back these Tunisian caramels with various flavors. They have a soft texture and melt pleasantly in your mouth. They disappeared faster than I expected.
Price for Tunisian caramels: 2.850 TND (0.90 EUR)
Tunisian Chips with Truffle Flavor
I love truffles, so even though traditional varieties of white or black truffles aren’t found in Tunisia, I couldn’t resist buying these truffle-flavored chips. Perfect for the plane!
Price for Tunisian chips with truffle flavor: 4.390 TND (1.35 EUR)
What Tunisian delicacies do you bring back from this beautiful country?
