The World's Strangest Souvenirs
Why It's Unique: Granted, it's not made of pothole-filling tar, but in a region where lutefisk and reindeer are considered normal, the idea of tar on pancakes doesn't actually seem outrageous. Tar—or terva—syrup comes from pine sap and has a strong, smoky flavor. It has been described as tasting like the smell of pitch, the tar used to seal nautical rope and decks. If it doesn't whet your appetite, you can also buy tar soap, available in most supermarkets here.
Where to Find It: In most supermarkets, as well as in Helsinki's famed Stockmann department store. You can also sample it in pancakes, ice cream, or schnapps, at Helsinki's Restaurant Savu, built in a former tar-barrel storehouse.
Cost: About $8 for a bottle of syrup and about $3 for soap.
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