5 Locally Made Gifts to Bring Home From Dominica
As your Secret Bay stay draws to a close, you may want to bring home meaningful gifts to share memories of Dominica’s vibrant culture and natural beauty with loved ones. Though you can’t package up the sweeping vistas or warm hospitality that welcomed you here, you can find locally made keepsakes infused with the island’s distinctive spirit. Here are five gifts that will flawlessly capture your time here in paradise.
All-Natural Soaps
These luxurious, completely natural soaps are handcrafted on Dominica using traditional cold-process soap making techniques. The soaps are made from nutrient-rich, unrefined virgin coconut oil mixed with essential oils like lemongrass, patchouli, basil and local flowers and herbs. Made locally by a few small companies, these soaps provide a rich, creamy lather that will make you feel like you’re still enjoying an indulgent spa treatment back at Secret Bay.
Cocoa Sticks
Cocoa sticks are a staple ingredient in the Dominican breakfast tradition of cocoa tea — a hot and nourishing beverage typically enjoyed early in the morning. The sticks themselves are made by local Dominican farmers who harvest, ferment, dry and roast cocoa beans before grinding them into a thick paste. The paste is molded into convenient sticks for easy portioning when steeping a cup of cocoa tea. Sipping this chocolatey, slightly spiced drink will surely remind you of lazy morning views from your Secret Bay villa.
Dominican Pepper Sauce
No Dominican meal is properly dressed without a few shakes of pepper sauce. The sauce hinges on the fruity yet fiery bonda ma jacques pepper, a member of the habanero family similar to scotch bonnet, combined with vinegar, spices and sometimes added fruits or veggies. The result is a thin, potent hot sauce guaranteed to spice up meats, stews, sandwiches and anything in between. Just a few drops will enliven your cooking and bring back memories of the incredible cuisine at Secret Bay’s Zing Zing restaurant.
Kalinago Baskets
Beautifully hand-woven baskets have been created for centuries by Dominica’s Kalinago people using traditional techniques passed down over generations. These detailed baskets are made from natural fibers like larouma reed and water vine along with seeds, roots and palms. No two are the same. The intricate diamond, herringbone and hexagonal patterns seem to reflect the lush tropical landscape. Not only that, these baskets support the Kalinago community and help preserve their cultural heritage and traditional skills.
Single-Origin Chocolate Bars
Dominica has ideal growing conditions for cacao plants, and a few local companies are making bean-to-bar chocolate right on the island. Sample a few of the high-quality single-origin dark chocolate bars, each with unique flavors stemming from their terroir, and bring home a few as gifts. Every time you savor the complex nutty, fruity notes, you’ll be reminded of meandering through rainforest groves during your stay at Secret Bay.
Not done shopping? Stop in the Fort Young Rum & Wine Cellar and Retail Shop for local sips and goodies, as well as Jewellers International at Fort Young for a wearable piece of Dominica. And be sure to explore the bayfront in Roseau where local vendors offer all of the above and more!
