As the title suggests, itβs currently summer in the Southern Hemisphere
, which marks the peak tourist season in Argentina
(many adventurous souls even venture to Antarctica). So, the question is, what are the must-try specialties of Argentina?

Wine
If youβre unsure where to start, look no further than the Mendoza region and Malbec grapes; they promise a delightful experience
. Renowned brands like Cadena Zapata
, Enemigo
, and Angelita
are all top-notch
. The best part? Prices here are significantly more wallet-friendly compared to China.

Beef
Since you canβt take it back home, indulge in as much grilled meat as possible while youβre there
. The Argentine beef is a true culinary delight that you wonβt want to miss.

Coffee
For coffee beans
and freshly brewed coffee, the Juan Valdez brand is your go-to.
Juan Valdez, a premium brand under the Colombian National Coffee Association
, is also a mid-to-high-end choice in Argentina
. You can find a variety of coffee options
.
They use Arabica hand-washed coffee beans
, known for their milder and slightly acidic taste (though, I must say, their freeze-dried coffee is surprisingly non-acidic
).

Cigars
I picked up some cigars at a cozy bar near the port area.
The port area (Puerto Madero) is also home to several specialized wine
and cigar shops.
You can also find related products at the Galeria Pacifico.
A single cigar can range from 200-1000 RMB, with no upper limit for the most luxurious options.
Cuban
cigars, such as Cohiba
Romeo y Julieta, remain the most celebrated. However, cigars from Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic are also highly regarded.

Chocolate
Rapanui, a beloved local chain chocolate brand in Argentina
, is a favorite among locals.
My mom and sister raved about it after trying it last year
, and they begged me to bring some back
. Itβs a treat you wonβt want to miss!

Starbucks City Mugs
Starbucks offers city-exclusive mugs featuring Buenos Aires and Argentina
, as shown in the photo.
When my senior asked me to bring one back, it sparked an idea [doge][doge][doge].
I found one in the port area
, priced at over 30,000 pesos, which is around 200 RMB per mug
. A perfect souvenir for any collector!

Dulce de Leche (Caramel Milk Spread)
While I didnβt personally buy any, dulce de leche is undeniably an Argentine specialty
. Youβll find it in many street stores
.
My classmates at the Confucius Institute shared a funny story: Argentine students studying in China often ask them to bring dulce de leche back to China
.

Itβs a sweet and hilarious request!
This caramel spread is incredibly, incredibly, incredibly
sweet. If you have a sweet tooth, you might just fall in love with it.
I had no idea about the wine scene in Argentina! Mendoza and Malbec sound like a match made in heaven. Definitely adding those wines to my wishlist after reading this.
I had no idea about the wine scene in Argentina, especially Malbec! Definitely adding Mendoza to my travel list now.
Iβve always wanted to try Argentine wine, especially Malbec. Do you think the popular brands mentioned in the article are worth buying as gifts?