When buying souvenirs in Giresun, most people settle for a packet of hazelnuts. Yet the city and its districts have other products worth taking home. Below I have gathered them all with practical notes.
Hazelnut and its products
The round hazelnut is a quality benchmark worldwide. What you can buy: roasted shelled hazelnuts, hazelnut butter, cocoa spread, köme, chocolate-coated croquant, hazelnuts in the shell.
In the centre, around Gazi Avenue is the line where these products gather. Do not forget to ask the roasting date.
Köme
A traditional sweet made with grape molasses and hazelnut. It keeps a long time and is easy to carry. It can be considered the most "local" souvenir form of the hazelnut.
Tamzara cloth
A weaving from the Tamzara neighbourhood of Şebinkarahisar, with a history going back centuries. It is still woven today. If you are going to Şebinkarahisar, ask about the workshops in the neighbourhood.
Tamzara cloth is hard to find in the centre; its real source is the district itself. If you are not going to Şebinkarahisar, drop this product from the list.
Cornmeal
The base of Black Sea cuisine. If you are going to make kuymak, cornbread and pancar soup, the region's stone-mill flour makes a difference. A cheap, light and genuinely used souvenir.
Honey
Highland honey, especially from high altitudes, is sought after. You can buy it from the markets or from the producer in the highland. Buying from a labelled source you trust is best.
Local pickles and preserves
Products such as black-cabbage pickle and salted cherries are sold at some businesses. As they are in glass jars, carrying them takes care; if you are flying back, put them in the hold.
Shopping notes
| Product | Where | Carrying |
|---|---|---|
| Hazelnut and butter | Centre · Gazi Avenue | Easy |
| Köme | Centre, souvenir shops | Easy |
| Tamzara cloth | Şebinkarahisar | Easy |
| Cornmeal | Market, shop | Easy |
| Honey | Highland, market | Care · leakage |
| Pickles / preserves | Local businesses | Hard · glass |
Practical warnings
- In the highland and at small businesses cards are not accepted, so carry cash.
- Wrap glass jars tightly; there is a risk of leakage.
- If you are flying back, liquid and paste-consistency products cannot go in cabin baggage.
- Some shops offer shipping; if you are buying a lot, ask.
- Leave the shopping to the end of the trip; do not walk around with packages in hand.
On the map
On the map the produce spreads coast to interior; Gazi Avenue in the centre gathers the shops.
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