Most stores sell the same familiar inventory. Shelves are lined with groceries, electronics, and toiletries. However, sometimes one can find the oddest products imaginable, things so obscure they almost sound like jokes. But these aren’t simply gag gifts. They are taken seriously by the locals who purchase them. Still, they are almost unbelievable to outsiders. These unusual products sometimes reflect cultural traditions, local quirks, or creative business minds. Some are practical, while others were created with novelty in mind. Here are some of the weirdest things you can buy around the world.
Canned Fresh Air (Canada)
Believe it or not, several Canadian companies have sold cans filled with air taken from the Rocky Mountains. The products seem like they’d be found in a novelty shop, a gag gift you could grab for $2.99. But they are marketed very seriously, occasionally as a way for people in heavily polluted cities to inhale crisp mountain air. The cans can cost up to $30 each, despite containing, well, a whole lot of hot air. Some companies have even shipped products overseas. Whether used seriously or simply displayed as a conversation piece, canned air is certainly one of the world’s strangest products.
Vending Machine Mystery Boxes (Japan)
Japan is famous for its quirky vending machines that sell far beyond basic snacks. Well known vending products include everything from bananas to umbrellas, but some dole out “mystery boxes”. Mystery vending machines dispense packaged boxes with completely unknown contents. Customers pay a set price, having no idea what they might gain in return, seemingly drawn in by the mystery. Historically, the boxes have been known to contain toys, funny gadgets, or random household items. Most of these things are silly novelty items, but the appeal comes from the surprise and excitement of wondering what’s inside the box. People are essentially willing to pay for a bit of a dopamine hit. Mystery boxes have become remarkably popular throughout the country.
Bottled Cow Urine (India)
In some parts of India, those so inclined can purchase bottled cow urine. This isn’t for some bizarre obsession with animal pee; it is sold for traditional and religious purposes. Buyers believe cow urine has cleansing properties. Specialty shops that carry this highly niche product in their inventory often sell purified and packaged versions of the product. To outsiders, bottles of cow urine lining store shelves is jarring, if not downright off-putting. However, for locals of a certain community and culture, it is simply a practical buy.
Insect Snacks (Thailand)
Everybody loves snacks, but many of us wouldn’t consider Thailand’s famous top sellers to even be edible, much less delicious. The Southeast Asian country has become known for markets that sell snackable insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and silkworms. The insects are generally seasoned and fried until crispy, pretty much like your average onion rings, but with legs. Locals purchase them as snacks all the time, and adventurous tourists like to give them a try. Those brave enough to taste the salted bugs describe them as crunchy and surprisingly flavorful. While Americans consider insects pests rather than tasty morsels, they are a good source of protein and have been eaten in various parts of the world for centuries.
Personalized Potato Messages (New Zealand)
A company in New Zealand allows customers to purchase potatoes with personalized messages written directly on the skins. Buyers can send the potatoes much like greeting cards. Messages can range from birthday wishes to humorous jokes and even breakup announcements. The business turned an ordinary vegetable into an unexpected novelty gift. Receiving a message written on a potato is certainly not something most people expect.
Banana Leaf Umbrellas (Southeast Asia)
In some rural areas across the Southeast Asian region, shoppers can purchase perhaps the oddest umbrellas in the world. These items are made from large banana leaves. The vegetation offers surprisingly decent protection from the rain, and these plants have been used for generations as inexpensive alternatives to more traditional umbrellas. Some even use them as coverage from the hot Southeast Asian sun. They are both sustainable and biodegradable. Although modern umbrellas are now widely available throughout the world, locals still find the banana leaf versions helpful, and continuing to use them keeps a cultural tradition alive. It’s the most unique protection from the elements you’ll ever come across.
Edible Gold Flakes (United Arab Emirates)
Dubai is known for its excessive wealth, and many of its stores and products reflect that. Dubai’s luxury shops sell edible gold flakes, meant for fancy food and drink. The product can be sprinkled on hors d’oeuvres or cocktails for a little extra sparkle. It’s common for the cities’ restaurants and bakeries to decorate desserts and coffee with edible gold. You can even find a burger topped with gold flakes. The gold is mostly tasteless and for looks only, serving as a symbol of money and extravagance. Because the product contains real 23- or 24-karat gold, items with edible gold can cost hundreds of dollars. Paying large sums to decorate your food with a precious metal may sound strange to most, but it has become a shimmering symbol of luxury in certain parts of the world.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©prilfish / BY 2.0.