FoodSpeciality tea Photograph: SJ Bright/AlamyI love discovering local teas wherever I travel, whether it’s Moroccan mint, Japanese green or herbal blends I’ve never come across at home. I gave up coffee last year, and since then, tea – particularly matcha from Kyoto, which is really strong – has become my daily ritual.Adrienne Adhami, wellbeing coach and podcast hostSpanish olivesWhen in Spain, I always come home with Aceitunas gazpachas – these split manzanilla or hojiblanca olives are marinated with pickles and spices, and they’re completely addictive. I stock up in local organic food shops, which tend to have the best selection.Phillippa Fern Kenyon Shutes, private chefArmagnac prunesI grew up in the Gers region of south-west France, which is famous for preserving prunes in armagnac, so I always try to bring a jar of them back from the local Château de Cassaigne. They come in these lovely tall glass jars and make the most delicious after-supper treat.Patrick Williams, interior designer and founder of BerdoulatCoffee beans Photograph: Jose Antona/Getty ImagesI always start my day with a pour-over coffee, so I make sure to stock up on beans whenever I travel. I like ones from Ethiopia or Kenya, especially when they’ve been naturally fermented, as they tend to have a lovely fruitiness and acidity, with notes of strawberry, candied orange peel or pineapple. Once I get home, I freeze the beans to preserve their freshness.Patricia Zhou, choreographerMakrut lime leaves Photograph: Pornsawan Baipakdee/Getty ImagesVisiting Bangkok’s many markets (there’s one for everything) is always a highlight of a trip to Thailand. Phra Khanong is where local people buy their groceries. There are no tourists, it’s very affordable and the vendors are friendly. I always pick up my annual supply of makrut lime leaves for 50 baht (about £1) there.Kash Bhattacharya, travel blogger @budgettravellerLocal spiritsI buy alcohol from pretty much every country I visit. Looking at my collection, I have gin from Eritrea and Botswana, local spirits from Tanzania, and even a bottle from Laos with some sort of worm in it. I don’t actually open a lot of them – I just love having them there as memories of different places. If I’m travelling to a big wine-producing country, such as South Africa or Italy, I always bring a special wine suitcase with me, which holds 12 bottles.Jessica Nabongo, travel writerSwedish gummiesWhenever I’m in Stockholm, I stock up on soft, chewy pick-and-mix sweets from any grocery store, such as Hemköp – they have big bins of them. Not just a packet or two – but a whole carry-on case full of them.Kate BerryExtra virgin olive oilI always come home with something edible. In Greece, Italy or Portugal, that’s usually a bottle of exceptional olive oil – often locally pressed – or a few bottles of the local wine we discovered over dinner and want to enjoy again once we’re home.Natasha ShafiMacaronsControversial opinion: Ladurée macarons, with their charming pistachio-green boxes, are not, in fact, the finest macarons in Paris. For those, head to Carette. The flavours are a little punchier (my favourite is salted caramel), the filling is more generous, and at about €3 (£2.55) apiece, they make the perfect sweet treat for the journey home.Jess Cartner-MorleyClothingChic but cheap childrenswearNowhere in the world gives you as much chic for your money as the childrenswear department at French store Monoprix. Think Bonpoint vibes at H&M prices. When my kids were little, I’d stock up every Paris fashion week, but there are branches all over France. They also do the most beautiful paper napkins which – being inexpensive, small and lightweight – make the perfect gifts to bring home.Jess Cartner-Morley, Guardian fashion editorEvil-eye bracelets Photograph: Getty Images/iStockphotoHave you even been to Greece and not come home with at least one evil eye hanging from your wrist or ankle? I know it’s officially summer when mine is back on my arm. Lucy Williams, stylist and content creatorLuxury scarves and shirtsI always buy a scarf from Hermès and a Charvet shirt in France – plus socks from Mes Chaussettes Rouges and Tabio, because they personalise with embroidery.Kate Berry, US editor at Cabana magazineVintage jacketsWhenever I’m in Paris, I always make time for Skat Vintage and, if it’s the weekend, a wander around Saint-Ouen flea market. I can rarely resist a vintage silk scarf or jacket, although they’re often claimed by my daughter before they make it into my wardrobe.Natasha Shafi, CEO at Mr & Mrs SmithBeautyWhite flower oilI always pick up this oil from Hong Kong. With menthol, eucalyptus and wintergreen, it provides instant relief from headaches and insect bites, and even helps clear the sinuses. Just dot a few drops on your wrists, temples and behind the ears.Divia Thani, global editorial director at Condé Nast TravellerPudin Hara In India, Pudin Hara is a traditional ayurvedic formulation. It’s a bright green blend of mint extract and peppermint oil that works quickly to ease all kinds of tummy-related issues, from cramps and acidity to bloating and indigestion. Divia ThaniContinental colognesThe first time I went to Spain, I remember catching a distinctive waft of cologne whenever I passed a suit on their way into their office in Barcelona. It was different from the muscular scents of home at the time; light, summery and somewhat continental. I finally plucked up the courage to ask someone what they were wearing, and it turned out to be Nenuco Agua de Colonia. Now I buy it whenever I go to Spain and literally bathe in it because it only costs a few euros. A Spanish friend recently told me, however, that it’s mostly used for babies. In France, I always buy Le Petit Marseillais Lait shower gel for the same olfactory associations with summer beaches.Andy Pietrasik, Guardian travel editorArtisan candlesIf you’re passing through Athens, you have to pick up something from The Naxos Apothecary. They make the most beautiful artisan candles, body products and fragrances from Greek flora.Lucy WilliamsMelatoninI stock up at a CVS pharmacy whenever I travel to the US. I’m a good sleeper, but for those rare nights when I’m not, their over-the-counter melatonin is a lifesaver. CVS is also the best place to find brilliant little beauty buys you can’t get at home – such as Pacha Soap Co’s natural deodorant.Teresa Tarmey, facialistHandmade razors Photograph: Huizeng Hu/Getty ImagesIn Italy, I always seek out the traditional men’s toiletries shops and usually come home with a handmade razor, brush or pair of scissors. Italians do things like this so well: practical, timeless and made to last.Kate BerryNatural deodorant