Top Things to Buy in Goa

Goa souvenirs is a way to remember Goa even when you go back home. We all know it is not possible to carry its sand beaches and the vibe out there. Goa is a place all about its boho vibes, flea markets and its beaches.

The history of goa boasts about the people wearing their comfortable outfits and enjoy their lives in all ways. It is hard to leave Goa without purchasing some of the bikini’s, hats and some of its accessories. It has the best markets to roam around and shop in India.

Top 10 Things to Buy in Goa

1. Cashew Nuts

The cashew tree named Anacardium Occidentale is exceptionally useful, the eatable worth of which was found by Goan prisoners during 1752. Albeit native to Brazil, cashew was originally planted by the Portuguese to stop the erosion of the topsoil resulting from the monsoons in Goa.

The soil in Goa was discovered to be ideal for cashew plantation and led to India being one of the largest cashew producers in the world. As the Goan culprits tried the cashews and started using them as a proper food item, cashew nuts became a part of Goan Cuisine.

The best quality of cashews is found at Zantye’s, with a combination of unique taste and flavours. You will get these in Panjim Market, Mapusa Friday Market and Margao Market.

2. Goan Spices

It has a history of being a Portuguese colony for like 4 decades and being ruled by various communities that have led to an obvious and diverse Goan cuisine. Besides being influenced by the three Indian communities of Hindus, Muslims & Christians.

Goan cuisine has also been affected by the Portuguese, African, Brazilian, Arabic, French, Malaysian, Konkan, Malabar & Chinese. This also has led to a change in the food and lifestyle of localities with the bring-up of new dishes.

Goan cuisine is amazingly rich and tasty and each dish in the cuisine has four elements: salt, sweetness, sourness and spice and along with the usual local spices, rice, coconut milk & seafood are the primary necessary ingredients in Goan cuisine.

Some of the common seasonings in Goan cuisine include Kokum, tamarind, cashews and red Goan spices. You can find the Goan Spices in Mapusa Friday Market, Margao Market and Ingo’s Bazaar.

3. Feni

‘Feni’, is a Sanskrit word which implies ‘froth’ owing to the bubbles that are formed when liquor is poured or shaken. An alcoholic drink that’s made from cashews or coconut, Feni is Goa’s drink, popular among locals and tourists alike.

Albeit not produced commercially, Feni is handmade and natural with many distillers in Goa engaged in the production of Feni, 70% of which is used for household purpose and rest available for sale in the market.

With two distinct types, cashew and coconut, the concentration of a small batch of Feni have an essential effect on its final character that retains some of the delicate fragrances, flavourings and congeners of the juice from which the Feni is produced.

A carefully manufactured Feni’s marked by its aroma. Since Feni is classified as a country liquor, it isn’t available commercially outside Goa. To purchase Feni you can go to Panjim Market.

4. Goan Handicrafts

Once known for its jewellery, Goa is now popular for its handicrafts. Some of the most renowned handicrafts in Goa include brass that is moulded in various shapes and designs ranging from hanging lanterns, statues, candle stands, the well-known Lamp Samai (a tree-like oil lamp with flower motifs) and ashtrays.

Paper Machine is a waste art paper that’s used to create colourful items for daily use ranging from jewellery boxes to pen stands to flower vases and wall hangings. The most reliable spots to purchase the handicrafts of Goa includes many markets like Panjim market, Anjuna flea market, Tibetan market, Margoa market and Ingo’s Bazar.

5. Wooden Crafts

Goan handicrafts make for vivid souvenirs and you will find glancing out at you from behind the shop windows and in the noisy streets of the flea markets. Ranging from colourful wooden lacquerware to intricate wood carvings, Goa’s wooden crafts are varied and vibrant.

Few of the most beautiful woodcraft items produced in Goa include corner stands, baby carts and cribs, used mostly by Hindu communities on religious moments and in daily use as well.

Sangolda is a built mansion in Arpora with antique furniture and curios prepared in a manner that you can walk into and examine them properly before buying them. Look out for rose and sandalwood goods sold in souvenir shops and markets that not only beautify the house but also lend a delightful fragrance to it.

The Chaku Crafts Emporium on the lover's beach road, Betalbatim-Salcatte is recognized for its walnut wood carved furniture and souvenirs with a lovely group of wood-crafted products. Even in Anjuna Flea Market you get them.

6. Painted Tiles

Each tile in these buildings is hand-painted and glazed. These tiles aren’t just regular tiles painted in blue and white, but you will see the square tiles with beautiful images and family portraits crafted on them as well.

The history of these painted tiles implies that the Portuguese brought them to Goa, however without the skills to make them locally. The raw base for certain Azulejos tiles is the tile itself, square ceramics including 15X15cm, sourced from India, China and Portugal.

The designs on the tiles are either hand-sketched or pasted using a sticker or screen prints. Customized tiles and murals are entirely hand-painted. You can find some of the best Azulejos tiles at the Menezes Braganza Hall in Panaji, Chinchinim and the Wedding Hall at St.Estaban.

7. Kunbi Saari

During the reign of the Portuguese, Goa was the centre for handloom weaves and most artisans had a flourishing workshop that produced Kunbi Saris. The Kunbi tribe is known to be one of the oldest tribes in Goa and were considered quite industrious.

When Goa became a part of the Indian power looms, and handlooms were sold for firewood, the weavers had to opt-out for other occupations. During the renowned Kunbi Dance, the women localities dancers swooned to the beats wearing vibrant colours Kunbi Saris, which had a simple drape, with the sari’s length just below the knee, allowing the women easy movement to carry on with their daily chores and physically draining fieldwork.

Even though the sari isn’t available in the market easily now, the tribal women still adore this sari drape, wearing it, in the same way, using other cotton or synthetic saris. Margao Market is the place where you get to buy Kunbi Sari’s.

8. Sea Shell Crafts

The external skeletons the Mollusks, a class of marine animals – Seashells are normally made of calcium, which is achieved when the Mollusk dies. Shells are usually collected to be displayed for art purposes or their beauty, and their crafts are some of the most unique ways to use these natural treasures and Goa, being one of India’s most popular destinations is not only loved for its white sandy beaches, sparkling water but also popular for its fascinating souvenirs.

Artists showcase their talent on simple-looking seashells and change them into extraordinary pieces of art. Shells in various shapes, sizes and shades are used to craft jewellery, décor and utility items like lampshades, chandeliers, furniture, wall shelves, mosaic tiles, coasters, table mats, clocks, mirror frames and more!

You will find most seashell items being sold in carriages on the beach outskirts or along with the tourist spots in Panjim.

9. Coconut Crafts

Yet another popular souvenir from the beaches of Goa are the beautiful and decorative items made of coconut fibre. From brooms that are made well to serve a good time span to boats and outriggers to the jewellery of coconut along with other fashion accessories like masks, purses, bags, candle stands and more.

There’s a lot of physical labour and skilled art involved in the making of coconut crafts. The Coconut art is available for performance and purchase in a variety of shapes with the most popular ones being trendy coconut shells, coir bottles, storage pouches and ashtrays. Given the hard work, skills and time involved, these coconut crafts are slightly expensive in the realm of collectables but worth every penny! You found these in Bicholim & Handicrafts Emporium.