Customs and my traditions

For gourmands, everything is available in India. Almost. Some foods are still worth the trip and worth stuffing the suitcase to savour back home. Here are my picks

- VIR SANGHVI

I am a reasonably frequent international traveller, but contrary to what many people will tell you about their own travels, I have rarely had a problem with customs in India. This could be because I don't shop very much abroad.

But it could also be because I like to travel through Delhi, where the customs department at the airport respects the honesty of passengers. I keep hearing horror stories about customs at Mumbai airport.

Besides, I find that I now buy less and less food abroad. Nearly everything I need is available in India. It is hard to believe that I ever had to buy olive oil and fresh pesto abroad. Or that I packed fresh mushrooms in my suitcase. India has changed so much that there is very little you need to get from abroad.

But Rachel Lopez, who edits Brunch, had the nagging suspicion that I continued to buy some food on my travels. Could I write about that, please, she instructed...

Well, she is not entirely wrong. So here's what I still buy. As I always say, some people bring in electronics, gold, jewels and fancy watches. I bring food.