As a student living in the UK, there’s one challenge I face every time I head home: what on earth should I bring back for family and friends? After two years of trial and error (and a lot of snack testing), I’ve discovered that British supermarkets are secretly treasure troves full of tasty, beautifully packaged goodies.
Not only are these items budget-friendly, but they also carry a slice of British culture, making your souvenirs both meaningful and unique. From tea to biscuits, snacks to sweets, here’s my ultimate UK supermarket souvenir checklist to save you from the “what-to-bring” stress!
British Tea: Take Home the Soul of Afternoon Tea
The British obsession with tea is no joke, and the tea aisle in a UK supermarket? Total paradise.1. Twinings Assorted Tea Box (£4–6)
Found in Tesco or Sainsbury’s, these beautiful vintage-style tea boxes feature classics like Earl Grey and English Breakfast. They’re a hit with older relatives and tea lovers alike.
2. Yorkshire Tea (£3.50)
Voted the most authentically British tea by locals, this black tea is bold, smooth, and pairs perfectly with milk. It's cheaper than Twinings, but just as good. My British boyfriend and all my housemates drink nothing else!
3. Whittard Flavoured Tea & Hot Chocolate (£6.95–10)
Although mostly sold in boutiques, some Whittard items sneak their way into supermarkets. Their dessert-inspired blends and hot chocolates are divine, and the packaging is next-level cute, especially the limited-edition Christmas tins!
British Biscuits: Afternoon Tea’s Best Friend
No proper afternoon tea is complete without biscuits. These British picks are delicious and look amazing too.
4. Walkers Shortbread Gift Tins (£5–10)
These buttery Scottish shortbreads are a royal family favourite! The elegant, vintage-style tins make it obvious your gift is straight from the UK.
5. McVitie’s Digestives – Chocolate Edition (£2–3)
Possibly the most iconic everyday British biscuit. The chocolate-covered version is especially loved. Pro tip: Brits love dunking them in hot tea to melt the chocolate a little.
💡 Hot tip: Go for the dark chocolate version, it’s less sweet and popular with Asian taste buds.
British Snacks: Flavours That Surprise and Delight
Beyond tea and biscuits, UK supermarkets are full of quirky snacks that your friends definitely haven’t tried before.
6. Percy Pigs Gummy Sweets (£2–3)
These pink pig-shaped gummies from M&S are beloved by British students. They're fruity, fun, and totally addictive.
💡 Try the lemon-flavoured Percy Piglets for something more refreshing!
7. Tyrrell’s Hand-Cooked Crisps (£2–3)
Made from UK-grown potatoes, these thick-cut artisan crisps are super crunchy and come in unique flavours. Definitely a posh upgrade from regular potato chips.
8. Cadbury Chocolate (£1–5)
Cadbury is the ultimate British chocolate brand. Their Dairy Milk bars are smooth, rich, and super affordable, perfect for younger friends. Don’t skip their hot chocolate either, thick, cozy, and yum!
💡 Cadbury’s Easter Egg gift boxes are a huge hit during the holidays.
9. Marmite Spread (£3–5)
A truly British icon, and the most divisive gift on this list. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing. This dark brown yeasty spread is salty-sweet and best on toast. Giving this is basically a flavour adventure for your friend’s taste buds!
10. Hotel Chocolat Gift Boxes (£11–80)
If you want to go luxe, this is the premium chocolate brand in the UK. Found in Waitrose and John Lewis, these sleek boxes are filled with top-quality cocoa treats that aren’t too sweet. Perfect for impressing parents or bosses.
British supermarkets might not look fancy at first glance, but they’re full of snacky gems that make perfect gifts 🎁
