Thanks to its incredibly high temperatures and relatively cheap flights, Cyprus has become quite a popular tourist destination. And, as always, one of the major parts of a holiday abroad is pondering what fun things you can buy there. What should you bring back with you from Cyprus? Here’s your shopping list for Cyprus.
Europe’s oldest wine, Commandaria
Though we may associate France and Italy with wine production, perhaps Portugal too, with its Porto vineyards and Sicily with its Marsala wine. Many places from all over the world come to mind, yet rarely is Cyprus a part of them.
The Cypriot Commandaria wine is the oldest wine in Europe that is still in production. The beverage is a strong, fortified dessert wine made from red and white Xynisteri and Mavro grapes. It’s said that Richard I of England grew fond of Commandaria upon his visit on the island.
The grapes for the Commandaria wine are harvested in the second half of September and dried before processing. The finished wine is then left to age for two years before going on sale. Even before fortification, the wine achieves as much as 15% alcohol. The wine has a very characteristic colour and a hint of honey and even raisins in its taste. It also doesn’t cost much, so it’s an ideal souvenir.
Where to buy Commandaria?
In every major and minor shop in Cyprus. Availability is the least of your problems, though the price may be quite a bit higher in souvenir shops, so do be mindful.
Lefkaritika
Lefkaritika refers to traditional lace from the north-east of the island. It’s actually inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List. The history of Cypriot laces dates back to the 14th century, where weaving lace was a traditional role for women and their husbands would then sell it. They used to be produced mainly in Pano Lefkara and Kato Lefkara, but today you can buy them in almost every village on the island.
According to a legend, they were admired by Leonardo Da Vinci himself, who even bought lace here. It was then used to decorate the altar in Milan Cathedral.
Halloumi
A thing you can bring back or try locally – traditional cheese usually made from a mixture of sheep’s milk and goat’s milk (sometimes muddled with cow milk to lower the costs). Halloumi is a semi-hard white cheese consisting of 43% fat. It has been produced in Cyprus for centuries and is a very popular snack. Halloumi can be eaten fresh or grilled. The cheese is exported to many places in the world, though nowhere does it garner such enthusiasm as in Cyprus. On average, a Cypriot eats 8 kg of halloumi per year. You can think of a nice fluffy adult cat worth of halloumi, for reference.
Loukoumi
Loukoumi, also known as Turkish Delight, is a traditional delicacy dating back to the Ottoman Empire. As such, it’s no surprise that it is eaten not only in the Middle East but also in Cyprus. The gel cubes made from wheat or potato flour starch are served after being coated in icing sugar, often as an accompaniment to coffee. In shops in Turkey or Cyprus, you will find a whole variety of flavours of the Turkish Delight. From classics, such as strawberry or mint, to more prestigious flavours with the addition of citrus flavouring. The snack is cheap so it’s perfect as a gift for office friends.
Filfar liqueur
Drinking on holidays is nothing revolutionary or newsworthy, and drinking in Cyprus can be accompanied with local products. We highly recommend bringing back a bottle of the Filfar liqueur. There are lots of various flavours available in shops, from traditional orange, through lemon and mandarin to bergamot. Filfar can be used for drinks such as Margarita or Long Island Iced Tea. The liqueur is traditionally produced in Mongari; it’s a relatively young product here, as its output began in the 1940s.
Zivania
Okay, with colourful, sweet and perfumed WEAK stuff out of the way, let’s roll out the big dogs. Zivania is for the real big boys and girls among you. The traditional distillate (likely from around the 14th century) is made using the aforementioned Mavro and Xynisteri grapes but, unlike wine or liqueur, it’s much, much stronger. Zivania, the local firewater, has a strength of (usually) up to 45%, though there are local specialists who prepare a 60% powerhouse. If you’re looking for the true experience, seek out the local specialists. The drink is best served well cooled.
Nazars
You may have already noticed the inclusion of Turkish souvenirs with the Turkish delights above. That’s not all. You can also find Nazars, a popular ornament in the Middle East. The Nazar is a well-known amulet found at every turn. Worldly travellers may associate it with the symbol of the now defunct Turkish airline, Fly Air. The amulet is said to protect against the ‘Evil Eye’. You can buy it in Cyprus for a few euros or Turkish liras.
Cypriot and Turkish coffee
Cypriots consume literal loads of coffee. Though it’s not exactly the country with the most coffee consumed, it’s still a great place to buy coffee beans. Traditional Greek coffee is widely available in Cyprus and you can buy small packages for a few euros to bring back home with you. There’s also Turkish coffee widely available on the island. Though, why choose when they’re pretty much identical?
Silver jewellery
Sadly, though, coffee, sweets and alcohol are not among the most durable of souvenirs. If you want to spend a little more in Cyprus, then we recommend stocking up on silver jewellery produced traditionally for hundreds of years in the village of Lefkara. The price of silver in Cyprus is a little lower so you can buy necklaces, bracelets and earrings practically everywhere. If you’re a bit more loaded, you may be interested in buying golden jewellery, or copper for the more average people among you. These, too, look nice from afar.
Beer from Cyprus
Yes, most beer producers in the world are owned by multinational corporations, but this case is a bit different. The best-selling beer in Cyprus is KEO, produced by Limassol. One of the largest shareholders in the company famous for its lager production is the Cyprus Orthodox Church. The barley malt beer is modelled somewhat on the Czech pilsner. KEO is not the only beer on the island, though. There’s also a competing product, Leon. Admittedly, loads of people think of Leon as a worse alternative to KEO, but you can check that for yourself.
Olive oils
We tend to bring whole cans or bottles of olive oil from places like Spain, Portugal or Greece, but we have good news if you were hoping to do the same with Cyprus. Olive oil from Cyprus is very good too, and you can and should certainly bring a bottle or two with you. Oil is of great importance in Cypriot dishes, so it’s available here at every step. Of course, it’s best to buy local olive oil from where Cypriots themselves buy it. As is usually the case, the places frequented by tourists charge much more. Avoid the souvenir stalls, seek for local-approved shops and bring some back for the boys back home.
Devotional souvenirs
Are you a devout Catholic or maybe you have some in your circle? If so, then it’s unlikely that you’ll find dedicated devotional articles in Cyprus. The dominant religion here is Christianity, sure, but it’s mainly Orthodox Christianity. Roman Catholics make up only about 3% of the faithful population. As such, all the devotional articles here are mostly in the style of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Cyprus. Still, if that doesn’t bother you and you want a religious souvenir for you or your close ones, you can easily find them here.
Herbs from Cyprus
What else to buy in Cyprus? The sunshine in Cyprus is strong and the climate here is ideal for the cultivation of various herbs. As such, if you’re in Cyprus and have spare space in your bag, you may want to stock up on all sorts of various herbs here. You’ll find all sorts of varied spices and herbs here, including oregano, basil, sage, bay leaves, thyme, chamomile and mint. Local herbs are much stronger and more aromatic than the stuff you can find in your supermarkets.
Honey from Cyprus
Another thing worth buying in Cyprus is honey. Among the various honeys, the most famous and most appreciated honey from Cyprus is the Tziverti thyme honey, voted the best honey in the world in 2019. You’ll find massive diversity in regards to the available honey in Cyprus. You can find citrus fruits, lavender or thyme-based honeys. You can also buy honey directly from the local farmers, which will actually be cheaper than your typical shops.
Jugs, plates and other ceramics
Finally, one last suggestion for an item that may or may not end up storing dust on the shelf. You can buy all sorts of beautiful jugs, decorative plates or dedicated plates for Greek meze. Most of these you can actually use in your everyday life; others will proudly stand boldly on your shelf and serve as a dust magnet for generations to come.
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