Leaving Aceh? 10 things to buy as souvenirs

Sometimes pictures, videos and memories are not enough to finish a trip fully satisfied. During holidays many people do not stop hopping into shops to buy something to remember the holidays. But what should you bring back from Aceh? And what gifts from Aceh would be perfect for your family and friends? Here is a list of 10 things you should consider buying in Aceh.

1. Gold

Aceh together with Papua are well known in Indonesia for its gold. In Banda Aceh near the main mosque there are many gold shops where you can buy pure gold or jewelry made from Acehnese gold.

In Aceh gold is wighted by mayam (1 mayam = 3.3 grams). 1 gram of very good quality gold in Banda Aceh can cost about 575,000 IDR or 36 eur.

2. Cacao

While traveling in Aceh you will see many cacao trees with big fruits. So why not bring home some cacao from Aceh for your friends?

Also if you will be more observing while driving in Aceh next to roads you will see many local people drying cacao fruits. Most of the production is exported from Aceh.

3. Coffee

While visiting Aceh you will see that coffee is one of the most important cultural thing in this province. Of course, you will try some Acehnese coffee too. So you should think about bringing some coffee back home for a nice meeting with your family and friends.

In Gayo, region of Aceh, many people live from growing coffee. In shops you will find Robusta or Arabica Gayo coffee. Arabica is more expensive and better quality.

Best place to buy coffee in Banda Aceh is Ulee Kareng. There are many coffee shops in this district of Banda Aceh. You can ask to buy coffee beans or ground coffee and in many places they do roasting of coffee beans just behind the shop. So if you are interested in roasting process ask if you can see it.

4. Embroidered purse or wallet

In every souvenirs shop you there are hundreds of embroidered purses, backpacks or wallets. If you like colorful things take one. Although quality of these goods does not seem very good it will remind you your visit in Aceh for some time.

5. Luwak coffee

Let's talk about coffee again. If you want real exotic why do not buy the most expensive coffee in the world. Luwak coffee is made from poops of small animals that live around Indonesia and enjoy eating coffee beans. 250 gr of this coffee might cost even 400,000 IDR or 25 eur.

You can find cheaper one Luwak coffee but it probably will be made from Luwak farms where these little fury animals live in captivity. So if you want the best coffee ask if it is from animals living in wild.

6. Songket or batik

If you see any weddings or other big events in Aceh you will notice local people wearing clothes made from traditional materials. Men usually wear batik shirts, meanwhile women dress with songket skirts.

There are still some places in Aceh where materials are made with hands. If you see a patter you really like you can understand if its handmade from price. For example, one meter of handmade songket can cost around 1,600,000 IDR or 100 eur while material from a factory - around 75,000 IDR or 4,6 eur.

If you decide to buy batik make sure it has Aceh patterns because all Indonesian regions have their own drawings and symbols on their batik.

7. Jade

Each country or region usually have its one stone. If we are talking about Aceh, it is jade. This black and green gem can be bought as a stone or you can look for a bracelet or a pendant made from jade.

8. Chocolate

Your backpack is already full of coffee and cacao but you want to bring home some more Acehnese taste? Why don't you buy chocolate powder from Aceh. Although hot tropical weather makes any chocolate bars into liquid in severals minutes with chocolate powder you definitely be safe.

9. T-shirt

Maybe you love to bring from every your trip a t-shirt with the name of a place you have visited. So this time wonder around all souvenir shops and find what fits you the most.

10. Traditional clothes

Most traditional clothes are embroidered with different floral or related to nature patterns. If you do not want to buy a nice scarf for yourself. Maybe it would be a very nice gift for your mother.

And one more extra...

Minyeuk Pret Fragrances

These fragrances are created by former Universitas Syiah Kuala students. You can find three different scents - Coffee, Seulanga (eng. Ylang-ylang) and Meulu (eng. Gardenia). Seulanga would fit more for woman, Coffee - for men and Meulu - unisex.

Price: 110,000 IDR (30 ml)

Official website of fragrance producer you can find here.