An authentic monument in Cambodia. What to take away from this country?

The longer we spend in a foreign country, the more memories we gather and the closer they become to our hearts. To continuously remind ourselves of the moments we experienced on our travels even after returning home, it is good to bring back several souvenirs from those places and take a small piece of the foreign land with us. If you want to remember Cambodia this way, we have a few tips for small items you can bring from the country that won’t just lie around on your shelf at home.

Krama

Krama is something you will encounter at every step in Cambodia. It is a multifunctional scarf that is one of the national symbols of the country. The krama has countless uses. Besides being a scarf, it is used for carrying children, covering the face, as a hammock for babies, as a mosquito net, to ward off insects, and for many other purposes.

Traditional krama colors include red and white, but you can find a whole colorful palette of various designs. You can buy a krama on every corner, but choose those with higher weight and durability so the scarf lasts you as long as possible. Even here at home, you can wear it with love and definitely won’t look like an exotic person. :-)

Upcycled Items

Cambodia certainly does not belong to countries with a high standard of living, quite the opposite. The local inhabitants are mostly poorer and therefore look for various ways to make a living. One of these is the production of various items from waste.

This activity reflects extraordinary Khmer craftsmanship, where artisans can create something beautiful even from what looks like utterly worthless waste at first glance. Most often these are decorative items, but you can also find everyday necessities such as wallets, dishes, clothing, and more.

Tattoos

If you want a truly permanent souvenir from Cambodia, get a traditional Khmer tattoo. These tattoos have deep symbolism and are done during a ceremony that imbues the tattoo with magical properties. Khmer tattoos are not just decoration; they have protective symbolism and become an integral part of you. David and Klárka both have their Khmer tattoos, and we jokingly—and maybe not so jokingly—like to say that they protect the entire .pepper..field. :-)

Last but not least, bring back a few Kampot peppercorns from Cambodia for good luck. And if your suitcase is already full, don’t despair. Just visit our website and enjoy a proper piece of authentic Cambodia in your kitchen right away in several forms.