Top 5 products in Galle

1 LACE

Lace- making was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 16th century by the Portuguese, and Galle is perhaps the most famous centre for it. You’ll find samples of intricate handmade lace as you wander around the Galle Fort area, as well as plenty of lace shops along Pedlar Street and along the coast in Dickwella.

2 CEYLON TEA

Ceylon tea, the common name for tea grown in Sri Lanka, which was known as Ceylon prior to independence, is well- known for its tea plantations. Popular names like Dilmah, Mlesna, Lipton, Tea Tang and Zesta are famous export brands and can be found in any supermarket, with a range of black, white or green tea.

3 DUTCH ANTIQUES

A whole host of stores near the Galle Fort along Rampart Steet, Church Street and Pedlar Street is where you’ll find a mix of the modern and the traditional. Designer boutiques sell everything from jewellery, accessories and chinaware to fabrics, art pieces and antiques to bring home.

4 TROPICAL FRUITS

Due to its tropical climate, Sri Lanka is popular for a refreshing variety of fruits including carambola (star fruit), mangoes, pineapples, passion fruit, pomegranates, mangosteens, soursop, jackfruit, rambutans and the King Coconut known as thambili, which is a sweet and smaller coconut native to Sri Lanka.

5 CASHEW NUTS

Originally imported by the Portuguese, the cashew apple - though not an apple but effectively the stem of the nut - is the edible part of the fruit. A popular snack also known as kadju, cashews can be eaten fresh, candied, roasted or stewed. They can be found anywhere from street vendors to supermarkets.