Here's What You Should Buy In Sri Lanka (That Isn’t Tea)

Of late, Sri Lanka has popped up on the charts, and understandably so. Gorgeous beaches, lush green hills, flavourful food, and friendly locals who will go out of their way to help you; so it makes sense why the tourist footfalls have increased over the past 5 years. And if you’re headed to the island, we assume you’d also want to bring back keepsakes. The said souvenirs don’t necessarily have to be sapphires and tea. 

Don’t get me wrong, the tea in Sri Lanka is famous for a reason, and the country is home to some of the most gorgeous sapphires you’ll ever lay your eyes on. But unless you really love gems and are willing to shell upwards of $1000 per carat, chances are, buying sapphires isn’t that great an idea. And tea? Amazing if you know your brew. But if you don’t, there are still plenty of things to buy in Sri Lanka that aren’t tea.

Food items to buy in Sri Lanka

Let’s start here. Sri Lankan food is a delightful play of flavours. From a wide variety of Sambols to the most indulgent seafood, food in Sri Lanka will simply blow your mind. Naturally, some of the building blocks of these dishes can be bought and are perfect to take home, whether it is for your foodie cousins or just yourself. Pick from a wide variety of dried fish if you love cooking extensively, or pick from condiments like Tuna fish powder or Sambol cubes. If you can handle the heat, Sri Lankan-style chilli paste will make for a great addition to your Umami dishes. 

Or if sweets are more your thing, pick the coconut milk toffee. There are a few versions, so you can always choose what flavours you enjoy the most. For people who love to experiment with new flavours, pick a bottle of the Kithul syrup. Made from slowly reducing the sap of the fishtail palm tree, the syrup is one of the most distinct sweeteners you will ever taste.

Batik in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan textile industry is massive, and exports a good chunk of the stuff made. But what you can buy better and almost exclusively is their Batik garments. The Indonesian art was brought to the Dutch Ceylon, and has adapted to local designs, silhouettes, and fabrics. You can choose from a wide variety of shirts, dresses, tops, Sri Lankan saree pieces, sarongs, and even bed linen. Vibrant colours and the pride of supporting local crafts always make for good souvenirs.

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Spices

Ceylon cinnamon is world-famous and is 100% something you should pick. But don’t sleep on the fine variety of cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves that retail across the island. The quality is top-notch, and with spices this potent, a little goes a long way. The tamarind is also a great addition to the list of things to buy in Sri Lanka. And if you want to go local completely, try goraka. A tropical fruit grown locally, it is used in vegetarian as well as fish curries alike, giving them a tangy yet smoky flavour.

Gemstones

While the sapphires are the most famous, there are so many more gemstones in Sri Lanka that make for stunning jewellery without breaking the bank. Garnets are mined locally too, and from the bright green tsavorite to the lustrous pink reds, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Another option is tourmalines. Found in a variety of colours, these semi-precious gems in Sri Lanka are a great fit for day-to-day jewellery because of their hardness. The fact that good quality tourmalines can give okay sapphires and rubies a run for their money is just the added benefit.

Coffee

Buying coffee in a country known for its tea? That might seem like a silly move till you try it. The beans are Arabica, but thanks to all the focus on tea, coffee in Sri Lanka wasn’t industrialised to the same obsessive degree. The result? A round, mellow cup, low to medium acidity, and earthy notes that let you experience the brew instead of letting it rage fuel your day. If you have friends who like artisanal coffee, or if you need a roast that will be perfect company to lazy Sundays, the island coffee is one of the best things to buy in Sri Lanka.

Coconut husk and shell products

Saw the cute coconut shell cutlery used in Sri Lankan homes and cafes? At major souvenir outlets like Laksala, you can also buy the same to take back home. They are functional and have been a part of the culture for the longest time, even featured in the National Museum. 
Coconut husk, on the other hand, is carved into a wide variety of shapes, including the animals found on the island. Whether your friends remind you of monkeys or whether elephants are your mother’s favourites, there are plenty of options to choose from.

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Traditional masks

Sri Lankan masks are beautiful and thoughtful symbols of the culture of the island. The most common are the protective masks, representing various characters from Sri Lankan folklore and mythology. If you’re in the Southern city of Ambalangoda, nothing like it. Visit the local mask carving artisans, experience the process, and get yourself a handmade mask. If not, you can always buy masks from shops across the island. They are available in a variety of sizes, from small fridge magnets to large pieces for your living room.

Customised swimwear

Unless you are a Victoria’s Secret model, odds are, finding the perfectly fitted swimsuit is a hassle. And the pieces retailing are too skimpy, and sites that pride themselves on conservative designs often end up being frumpy. Sri Lankan coastal towns have just the perfect solution for it. Get custom-made swimwear for yourself. 
From Arugam Bay to Hikkaduwa, there are many swimsuit tailors that have shot to fame in the past few months after having been discovered by the tourists. The choices are plenty, and this is a must-do if you can wait for a week, which takes them to make you your custom swimwear.