An ancestral craft
A specialty of São Miguel and Terceira, pottery developed with the exploitation of Santa Maria's red almagre clay. The clay was extracted on the island, transported by donkey to the port and then taken by boat to São Miguel and Terceira. Nowadays, clay is no longer transported by donkey, but you can still find artisan potters on Terceira, at Olaria de São Bento, and on São Miguel, in the village of Villa Franca do Campo. Not far away, in Lagoa, you'll find the ancient Ceramica Vieira ceramics factory. Their large wooden shelves display magnificent azulejos, typical Portuguese tiles, as well as tea and coffee sets, plates, cups, butter dishes and dozens of other unique pieces, painted with flowers and other plant motifs and glazed in the house's trademark white. The Azores are also famous for their wickerwork, and you'll be able to take home some lovely wicker or rush pieces from your stay. On the island of Faial, at the MIMOS store, you'll find woven rush hats and bags. The rush is collected on the island in late summer, then dried, braided and worked by local craftsmen. Embroidery is another typical Azorean skill. Towels, sheets, pillowcases, napkins, white and pure embroideries influenced by English embroidery, typical of the island of Terceira, but also embroideries with more colorful motifs like the typical São Miguel embroidery characterized by two shades of blue, or the embroidery with ears of wheat, typical of the island of Faial, which you can buy at the craft cooperatives. Another age-old Azorean activity is weaving. In the 20th century, the archipelago still boasted over 800 looms. The finest pieces can be found on São Jorge, in Urzelina or at Faja dos Vimes. Magnificent bedspreads, blankets and napkins reflect the mastery and art of Azorean weavers. Finally, if you'd like to take home a piece of jewelry, earrings, brooches or necklaces made from volcanic stone, fig marrow or fish scales will also make a wonderful souvenir, very typical of the archipelago.
The scrimshaw, a memory of the past
Characteristic of islands with whaling traditions, such as Pico and Faial, scrimshaw are sculptures made from sperm whale bones or teeth. This term refers to a traditional engraving technique used by whale hunters during their long sea voyages and the many moments of waiting. The technique consists of engraving a material, then coating the surface with ink and sanding it down so that the ink left in the engraving streaks reveals the motif; usually hunting scenes, family portraits or landscapes. Once a prized souvenir, this craft is no longer so. Since the ban on cetacean hunting in the 1980s, engravers have lost their raw material, relying solely on old stocks of teeth to practice their art. These stocks have slowly run out, and scrimshaw pieces have gradually disappeared from stores in the Azores. Note that if you find one in a junk shop, this trade is highly regulated and existing parts are usually all registered to avoid infringements. Nothing seems to attest to the authenticity of your scrimshaw? Be careful, you may be holding a simple resin copy.
Souvenirs for the gourmets!
There's plenty to do in this area. Many local products will delight your taste buds and amaze your guests on your return from your trip. On the savoury side, if you want to transport a little iodized flavour, the tins of tuna from the Santa Catarina factory on São Jorge (flavoured with olive oil, thyme, fennel...) are a perfect little souvenir. Cheeses are the specialty of São Jorge, but you'll also find delicious ones on Terceira, Pico and Faial. A particularity of the archipelago is that they are often accompanied by a sweet touch. Pineapple, guava or passion fruit jams go perfectly with cheese. Other specialties include chili paste, honey, sweet bolo levedo rolls and succulent local pastries such as queijadas. And when it comes to beverages, the Azores are not to be outdone. São Miguel is home to Europe's one and only tea plantations. Tea is definitely an excellent souvenir to bring back, as is Kima, the passion fruit soft drink. Alcoholic beers from the Azores include Especial, Melo Abreu and Korisca. Liqueurs based on local fruits are also available, such as neveda liqueur, a wild Azorean mint, or the incredible Azorean wines.
The wines of Pico, an exceptional terroir
Grape-growing on Pico began when the island was first settled in the late 15th century. Nutrient-rich volcanic soil and a warm, dry microclimate have provided exceptional ripening conditions for native grape varieties such as Verdelho, Arinto dos Açores and Terrantez do Pico. On Pico, the wine is grown on the ground, with the back bent, between low walls of lava stone forming a multitude of enclosures, the currais, which protect the vines from the vagaries of the Atlantic wind, while creating a landscape unique in the world, classified since 2004 as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The result is a light, dry wine with a unique freshness and acidity. A wine so exceptional that it was once exported to the Imperial Court of Russia. A wine that will allow you to savor all the subtlety of Azorean products when you return home.
