When in Europe, it's hard to resist the allure of local treats that transport us back home or introduce us to new flavours and textures. In Belgium, the aromatic world of mustards is a revelation – from the soothing scents wafting through the 19th-century shop at Tierenteyn-Verlent to the tantalizing taste of Meli honey waffles and cake.
For those who visit France, the shelves are a feast for the senses. The Bonne Maman jam section is an Aladdin's cave of Gallic flavours like mirabelle intense, coings (quince), figues violettes (fig) and reines-claudes (greengage). Meanwhile, cheeses abound in countless varieties from Normandy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Tins and terrines such as wild boar, rabbit and duck liver offer another treat, along with cassoulet made with duck and Toulouse sausages.
Italy is a sweet tooth's paradise, from sugared jellies to lemony beer. While the iconic Baci chocolates are worth seeking out – try finding them in supermarkets rather than airports for a better price – other treats like Blanco Niño tortilla chips from Tipperary and smoked fish from Woodcock Smokery are not to be missed.
German supermarkets, meanwhile, offer an insider's delight: fantastic bakeries serving everything from pastries to pretzels. For those with a sweet tooth, Ritter Sport chocolate and Katjes gummy bears or liquorice are must-haves. And then there's the deposit system – returning plastic bottles and cans for recycling is just not right when abroad.
While some treats may be hard to find outside their native land, many can still be discovered in supermarkets and local markets across Europe.
For those who visit France, the shelves are a feast for the senses. The Bonne Maman jam section is an Aladdin's cave of Gallic flavours like mirabelle intense, coings (quince), figues violettes (fig) and reines-claudes (greengage). Meanwhile, cheeses abound in countless varieties from Normandy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Tins and terrines such as wild boar, rabbit and duck liver offer another treat, along with cassoulet made with duck and Toulouse sausages.
Italy is a sweet tooth's paradise, from sugared jellies to lemony beer. While the iconic Baci chocolates are worth seeking out – try finding them in supermarkets rather than airports for a better price – other treats like Blanco Niño tortilla chips from Tipperary and smoked fish from Woodcock Smokery are not to be missed.
German supermarkets, meanwhile, offer an insider's delight: fantastic bakeries serving everything from pastries to pretzels. For those with a sweet tooth, Ritter Sport chocolate and Katjes gummy bears or liquorice are must-haves. And then there's the deposit system – returning plastic bottles and cans for recycling is just not right when abroad.
While some treats may be hard to find outside their native land, many can still be discovered in supermarkets and local markets across Europe.
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yet?! I know what you're thinking "just a sweet treat" but trust me, it's LIFE CHANGING 
. And don't even get me started on the Bonne Maman jam selection - I mean, who knew quince and greengage could be sooo good? 
. Meanwhile, Germany has some awesome bakeries with amazing pastries and pretzels... but seriously, have you tried those Katjes gummy bears? 
So addictive! 
I was thinking about this when I'm traveling around europe, it's easy to get caught up on trying new foods but sometimes we forget the value of what's homegrown 
like how Belgian mustards or French jams can bring back memories & emotions - it's a good reminder that our roots & traditions are worth cherishing 
and at the same time being open to new experiences is super important too...like trying Italian sweets or German baked goods that might not be as well known outside their country 
back home they don't do that, just throw away your cans and bottles and move on with life. And have you tried those German bakeries? amazing! I mean I love my mom's baking back in the day, but these guys are on a whole different level. Ritter Sport chocolate is like the ultimate comfort food for me 
And what's with the deposit system, it's just a bunch of extra hassle for tourists. I mean, can't they just make it easier to recycle or something? 
. I love browsing through all the different varieties of cheeses, chocolates, and baked goods. It's amazing how something as simple as buying groceries can be an adventure 
. And yes, I do feel a little guilty about the deposit system, but it's all about being mindful of our impact on the environment 
. Overall, Europe is just a foodie paradise, and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to explore all these delicious treats 
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. And what's up with the weird rules about buying certain foods outside of their native country? It feels like they're trying to control our shopping habits or something 
. Can't they just let us enjoy a good Baci chocolate in peace? 
But hey, I guess it's cool that people are into that sorta thing 
... deposit system is actually a great idea! 
And what's up with all these fancy-schmancy food labels? Can't they just call it what it is? 
Anyway, I still wanna try those Blanco Niño tortilla chips tho 
And have you ever tried any of those weird cheeses from France? 
I mean, they sound amazing, but what's the deal with all the different types?! 
just got back from europe and OMG you guys the food scene is EVERYTHING 
and france oh man the jam selection is insane 
i ended up buying like 5 jars of bonne maman jam back home 
germany has some amazing bakeries too got to try that ritter sport chocolate 
... and don't even get me started on how some of these European treats are super pricey compared to what we have here 
... but on the other hand, trying new foods and flavors can be a total game changer 
... so yeah, I guess it's all about finding that balance between indulging in local goodness and being eco-friendly 
...
! But you know what's not so simple? Figuring out how to reduce my waste while traveling 
returning those bottles and cans is super easy, people! it's not that hard 
! Can't wait to try those Belgian mustards & French cheeses on my next trip 
) is the deposit system in Germany - it's just so cool that they're taking care of their planet like that! And I'm totally with you on not wanting to buy things from airports just because they're touristy... you can get better deals elsewhere, right?