As Singaporeans become increasingly well-traveled, more people are carting home foreign food. These keepsakes are varied and include anything from condiments to pastries, tea and even fresh meat. These food items serve as edible memories of visited places.

Luckily for food-loving Singaporeans, local laws on bringing in products for personal consumption are a little more flexible. According to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) website (www.ava.gov.sg), no permit is needed to carry home small quantities of approved edibles. Indeed, up to five kilos of fresh red meat or fish can be packed in one’s baggage if desired. Places like Australia and the United States are far stricter and as many Singaporeans know, travellers cannot bring local favorites like bak kua with them when they enter those countries.

European Cheese

Although airport security regulations are taken seriously, they only limit souvenir choices here to a small extent. “I heard that soft runny cheese counts as a liquid and you can’t take more than a 100 grams in your hand luggage,” say cheese lover, Jaime Kwek. “But I still buy lots of harder cheeses home when I travel in Europe.”

Portuguese Egg Tarts

Many globetrotters are seen carrying boxed cakes and pastries on flights. These items can be held in the cabin on shorter journeys. George Lim, who travels to Macau often for work, says, “I never forget to buy Portuguese egg tarts from Cafe de Nata. Even though the crust does get a bit softer and chewier by the time they eat it, my family just loves the caramelized surface of the egg custard.”

Artisanal French Jams

Others keep their food protected in their checked luggage. Jane Png, who loves the artisanal French jams by famed pastry chef, Christine Ferber, says, “I keep the jars wrapped in layers of my clothes for padding. All that glass is heavy but I love the soft set jam so much I don’t mind. The fruit is left in large chunky pieces like a compote.”

Although products might be available locally, they can come at a higher cost. Buying it overseas saves foodies money. “I used to get Christine Ferber jam at local gourmet food store, Culina. But I save about three dollars per jar if I pick it up in Paris,” says Jane.

Australian Wagyu Beef

Another traveling foodie, Alissa Tan, buys Australian Wagyu beef in at the David Jones store in Melbourne. “I get them to wrap it with ice for me,” says Alissa. “Although packing red meat in my bag probably doesn’t sound safe, the savings make it worth it, and it actually keeps quite well in the airplane’s cool cargo section.”

Chinese Tea

But perhaps what makes items bought overseas special is that you get them straight from the source. George Chia, an avid tea drinker says, “I buy tea whenever I visit China. Tea farms and shops there are quite old, with a lot of history. When I do the farm tours, it makes me feel better; like I know the origins of my tea.”

So what are your delectable must-buys when travelling overseas?