What to bring home from Boston
Topics covered:
An MA classic: Marshmallow Fluff
Boston's most famous dessert: Boston Cream Pie
A local favorite: Teddie Peanut Butter
Boston chocolates worth knowing: Taza Chocolates and Burdick Chocolate Mice
For chip lovers: Cape Cod and Mi Nina Chips
A New England specialty: Coffee Syrup
A great local gift: Q's Nuts
A nostalgic New England candy: Necco Wafers
When people think about souvenirs from Boston, they usually think about things like a Harvard hoodie, Red Sox caps, or magnets. But honestly, some of the best things to bring home from Boston are the snacks and local treats you can only really find in Massachusetts or around New England.
If you are visiting Boston and have a little extra suitcase space, here are some treats worth bringing back for friends, family, or yourself.
1. An MA classic: Marshmallow Fluff
If there is one food that feels deeply tied to MA culture, it is probably Fluff. This iconic marshmallow spread was created in MA in 1917. And people are very serious about it.
The classic way to eat it is in a Fluffernutter sandwich, which is made with peanut butter and Fluff on white bread. The idea of a marshmallow sandwich might sound a little strange at first, but it is one of those nostalgic comfort foods that people absolutely love.
A jar of Fluff is lightweight, easy to pack, and definitely a fun conversation starter to bring home.
2. Boston's most famous dessert: Boston Cream Pie
You cannot really make a Boston food list without mentioning the Boston Cream Pie. Despite its name, it is actually a cake made with sponge cake layers, a rich vanilla custard filling, and a smooth chocolate glaze on top. It was created in Boston at the Omni Parker House, and eventually became the official dessert of MA.
While packing a full Boston Cream Pie in your suitcase isn't realistic, many bakeries and local shops - including the famous Mike's Pastry - sell smaller, individually-sized versions and Boston Cream Pie flavored treats that travel much better. If you let the shops know that you are traveling, many of them will package your treats securely for your trip.
If you truly desire the original experience, the Omni Parker House now ships its famous Boston Cream Pie nationwide through Goldbelly.
3. A local favorite: Teddie Peanut Butter
Teddie Peanut Butter is one of those beloved local brands that visitors can easily miss if they do not know what to look for. Made in Everett MA, Teddie is the go-to choice for people who prefer a more natural-style peanut butter without a lot of added oils or ingredients. There’s even an unsalted version.
Grab a jar at almost any local grocery store. If you’re already bringing home a jar of Fluff, you might as well complete the full Fluffernutter experience with a jar of Teddie.
4. Boston chocolates worth knowing: Taza Chocolates and Burdick Chocolate Mice
Boston has some great local chocolate options, and these two offer uniquely high-quality experiences.
Taza Chocolate, based in Somerville, is famously known for its stone-ground chocolate. Because they grind the cacao beans using traditional Mexican stone mills, the chocolate has a unique, gritty texture and a bold, rustic flavor. It is completely different from the ultra-smooth chocolate bars that many of us are used to.
On the other hand, L.A. Burdick’s is renowned for its elegance, most notably its famous chocolate mice. Handcrafted with little ribbon tails, these gourmet treats are almost too cute to eat. They make an incredibly charming, upscale gift if you’re looking to bring home something that feels a little more special.
5. For chip lovers: Cape Cod and Mi Nina Chips
Cape Cod potato chips are probably one of the easiest and most classic MA snacks to bring home. They are famously crunchy and kettle-cooked. While the original Sea Salt is a flawless classic, locals and chip enthusiasts will tell you to hunt down the Sweet & Spicy Jalapeno (which actually packs a legitimate, savory kick) or the deeply buttery and toasted Dark Russet chips.
If you want something a little different, Mi Nina tortilla chips are also well worth trying. Made locally by Boston chef Jamie Mammano using real volcanic stones to grind the corn, they have become incredibly popular around Boston for their authenticity and thicker texture. While their sea salt chips are great, the absolute standout favorite is the Jalapeno Agave flavor. It hits the perfect note of sweet heat and is completely addictive even without salsa, or paired with another Boston favorite: Grillo's Pickles.
The difficult part about bringing either of these home is trying not to finish the bag before your flight!
6. A New England specialty: Coffee Syrup
Coffee syrup is one of those regional New England things that surprises people the first time they see it. It is exactly what it sounds like: a sweet syrup flavored like coffee that people mix into milk to make "coffee milk."
While it is especially associated with nearby Rhode Island (it is RI's official state drink), one could find it around the Boston area.
To bring home the ultimate local staple, look for a bottle of Autocrat Coffee Syrup at the grocery store. It has a smooth, sweet, and bold coffee profile that makes an incredible iced coffee milk and an ice cream topping back home.
7. A unique local gift: Q's nuts
If you spend enough time exploring local markets around Boston, there is a good chance you will come across Q's Nuts - especially at the Boston Public Market
Q's Nuts is a small family-owned nut roastery that is known for its sweet, savory, and spicy flavored nuts. Flavors like maple bourbon pecans, rosemary sea salt cashews, chocolate orange cardamom almonds, and distinct spicy blends make them feel a little more artisan and local compared to standard grocery store snacks.
They are also easy to pack and make good gifts for people who are not huge fans of overly sweet candies.
8. A nostalgic New England candy: Necco wafers
Necco Wafers are one of the most nostalgic candies associated with MA. These colorful candy wafers have been around for generations… and people usually have strong opinions about them. Some people love them, some people absolutely do not, but either way, they are a definitive part of classic New England candy culture.
Originally created in Cambridge in 1847, they hold the title of America's oldest continuously manufactured candy. Even if you only buy them once for the experience, their unique flavors make them a very genuine, Boston-area souvenir snack.
