side view of various bags of beans with little black signs with type and price atop each bag of beans from side view.
Home » Gifts & Souvenirs » 10+ Memorable Food Souvenirs From Umbria – Handpicked By A Local

10+ Memorable Food Souvenirs From Umbria – Handpicked By A Local

Last updated on January 8th, 2025

Umbria is an underrated Italian region (for now!) but many are realizing it’s just as magnificent as its neighboring region of Tuscany.

Known for its hilltop towns, rich but simple food and of course, St. Francis of Assisi, Umbria has much to offer.

Lucky for me, I live at the border of Umbria in Tuscany. I’m actually so close to it that many of my general affairs take place there and I’ve eaten my way through the region!

These are my favorite food souvenirs and gifts from Umbria, and each one is relatively easy to use and enjoy once you are home.

Tip: Be sure to leave extra space in your suitcase for your favorite items such as Umbrian EVOO and truffle goods because they will cost much less than in Tuscany. 

Where To Buy Food Souvenirs From Umbria

Umbria is still very much a small-town region, meaning that it’s built upon small communities that are independent from one another, each with specific food and culinary traditions. 

Many of the food souvenirs from Umbria that I like can be found at small alimentari, or ‘mom and pop’ grocers. Actually, these are the best places because they stock high quality, local items. 

In addition, look for food souvenirs and gifts directly from producers at markets, wine shops, supermarkets, cheese shops or delis. 

10+ Memorable Food Souvenirs From Umbria

All of these souvenirs are easy to incorporate into your cooking at home and will bring back memories from your trip abroad.

Lentils from Norcia

top view of several bags of lentils from umbria piled high with brown tags.

Lentils from Norcia, specifically the Colfiorito variety, are renowned for their exceptional taste despite their small size. Grown at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, these lentils are harvested by hand, ensuring their high quality. Perfect for soups, they make a fantastic souvenir for vegans and vegetarians in Italy. 

Use Them: Use lentils in Italian Lentil Soup and Italian Lentil Salad With Roasted Vegetables.

Chestnut Flour

Clear plastic packages of farina di castagna (chestnut flour) in a pile.

Chestnut flour is available in the fall (October and November) in Umbria when chestnuts are in season. A bag of this will last you a long time and it’s a great way to experiment with baking in the kitchen. Try substituting a bit of chestnut flour in your next cake recipe for a nutty bite.

Tip: To learn more about flour in Italy check out my Guide to Italian Flour.

Cascia Saffron

Cascia saffron, derived from the stamens of the Crocus Sativus flower, is a prized golden powder known for its exquisite flavor and vibrant color. The purple flowers are harvested, and the stamens are carefully dried, preserving their delicate aroma. This luxurious spice is a perfect gift for culinary enthusiasts, showcasing the local craftsmanship and rich agricultural heritage of Umbria. Try making risotto alla milanese with it! 

Perugina Chocolates 

view of three boxes of baci chocolates from side view on a shelf at a supermarket close up.
Kids and adults love Perugina’s Baci chocolates and their sweet messages

The Perugina chocolate company headquarters are based in Perugia. Here, you can tour the factory and see their famous Baci chocolates being made. This is a great activity for kids and the chocolates are delicious, making them an excellent food souvenir for those with a sweet tooth.  

Good To Know: Perugia is also home to a chocolate festival held in the fall each year. This is super fun for kids and adults alike, allowing you to take part in tastings and demonstrations right in the heart of the old city center of Perugia. 

Caciotta Cheese

Caciotta is a semi-soft Italian cheese made from a blend of sheep’s and cow’s milk. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a creamy texture. Use it for sandwiches or melt into sauces for pasta. Note that you need to have cheese vacuum packed to bring it back to most foreign countries. 

More Cheese: Umbria also makes a lot of sheep’s milk cheese called pecorino, which also travels well. 

Fagiolina del Trasimeno

side view of packages of dried beans on a big bag of dried beans with sign behind bag with explanations.

The Trasimeno bean is a small, colorful legume that thrives in the plains around Lake Trasimeno in Umbria. Its colors range from cream to coffee to speckled and red. Castiglione del Lago hosts a food festival known as a sagra celebrating the Trasimeno bean, offering visitors a chance to taste various dishes featuring this special legume.

Umbrian Wines

Wine from less popular regions like Umbria tend to get overlooked. Here are a few of my favorites to try and bring home as a souvenir or gift:

  • Sagrantino di Montefalco  – red wine made from Sagrantino grapes aged for a minimum of 33 months
  • Torgiano Rosso Riserva – full bodied red Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Trebbiano blend that ages well perfect for meat dishes
  • Trebbiano Spoletino – crisp white wine perfect for summer days and seafood main dishes

Honey

Table display of jars of honey at a market in Italy.

Beekeeping is deeply ingrained in Umbrian farming traditions (as well as many other areas of Italy), with roots tracing back to Etruscan times. The most common varieties of honey are acacia and castagna (chestnut) honey, but millefiori or wildflower honey tends to have the best flavor. Serve it with cheese and charcuterie as an appetizer with drinks when you are back home. 

Liquore di Vino Rosso e Visciole

This distinctive liqueur, made from red wine and sour cherries is a specialty of Umbria. It can be enjoyed as a digestivo (after dinner drink) or used in cooking.

Truffle Goods

A glass case from side view filled with truffle goods in various sized jars.

Umbrian truffles are a fragrant and prized delicacy, found only in the wild and featured in dishes such as pasta, crostini and with eggs.

Black truffles are in season from October to March, while white truffles are available from October to December. As a result, fresh truffles can only be enjoyed during these periods.

Truffle products, however, such as oils, salts, and spreads, make excellent souvenirs that you can use and enjoy year round. 

Good To Know: Fresh truffles are not permitted in most countries so stick to preserved truffle goods. 

Fichi Girotti

Girotti figs are a specialty of Amelia outside of Terni. These dried figs are characterized by their stuffing made with other dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate.

Legend has it that these dried figs were so tasty that they were often served to popes.

Fichi girotti are pretty particular and regional so don’t expect to find them elsewhere in Italy. 

Olive Oil

close up of green can of olive oil next to dried pasta on a wooden shelf.

I always talk about what a great souvenir or gift olive oil is – but bear with me.

Umbria has some of the best olive oil in Italy but they haven’t marketed it like Tuscany, which tends to overshadow it.

If you’re in Umbria in October during the olive harvest, be sure to sample olio nuovo, the freshly pressed bright green, spicy oil.

Important Tip: Be sure you are bringing back olive oil of that year (not of the previous year). 

More On Oil: Get the lowdown on all things olive oil in Italy in
15 Best Italian Olive Oils – To Enjoy in Italy & Bring Home as a Souvenir
Olive Oil Health Benefits – According to Italian Nonne (Grandmothers)
How Italians Cook with Olive Oil
How to Store Olive Oil
Can I Use Olive Oil Instead of Vegetable Oil?

Gifts and Souvenirs: Be sure to check out all of my gift guides and souvenir guides!

Curious to learn what else you should bring back from other cities and regions in Italy?
Find the best souvenirs and gifts from Amalfi CoastCinque TerreDolomitesEmilia-RomagnaFlorenceMilan – Naples – PiedmontPugliaRomeSardiniaSicilyTuscanyUmbriaVenetoVenice
Or, check out my Condensed Region-by-Region Guide.