My Favorite Cooking Gifts (Other Than Kitchen Tools)
In my previous years with Lifehacker, I avoided sharing edible gift ideas. I offered food-related gifts or general gourmet gifts , but actual food and drink gifts seemed too ephemeral to me.
Well, people can change. Last year I tried some really special dishes that are sure to please the senses and are beautiful enough to be gifted, and I can’t resist telling you about them. Here are six of my favorite edible gifts to give this year.
Compartés gourmet chocolate bars
Good chocolate is subjective, but great chocolate is impossible to argue with . It just so happens that Compartés ensures the beautiful appearance and excellent taste of its fine chocolates. They offer filled chocolates and a Chocolate of the Month Club (a tempting year-round gift option), but I’m a big fan of their bars, like the ones in this holiday chocolate bar gift set . Their silky chocolate forms a strong base and, depending on the flavor, is filled or coated with a signature ingredient. I love the Hot Fudge Sundae bar and their California Berries bar – they’re as pretty as they are delicious, with freeze-dried red berries scattered on top. My partner is a big fan of the Tiramisu bar, which is topped with crispy ladyfingers. It’s all in this Chocolate is Art box . It’s perfect for the chocolate lovers in your family and beautiful enough to deserve a place on the holiday dessert table.
Savannah Bee Company Honey Gifts
As if the bees haven’t done enough, they’re also brightening the mood with the help of the Savannah Bee Company. There are wonderful options to choose from, and you really have to browse the offerings yourself between whipped honeys, flavored honeys, and hot honeys. But if I had to suggest something, I would say the Afternoon Tea Gift Set because honey and tea go together, or the Flute Trio Gift Set for the honey lover on your list.
Pepper sets Mala Market Sichuan
One of my favorite food finds this year is Mala Market, which offers amazing collections of Chinese chili oil , regional Chinese noodles , and even fermentation kits complete with mason jars. I have the Starter Sichuan Collection that I’ve been experimenting with for a few weeks now. It comes with three different types of hot chili peppers, a packet of Pixian chili bean paste, and mustard ibin yatsai pickle. Anyone who loves to cook will be delighted with the possibilities of this gift set. There’s also a delivery sale going on at the moment, so get in while the chili is hot.
Kolkata Chai Co. Tea Packs
A hot, soothing drink is always on the menu during the winter months, but this Christmas, treat yourself (and others) to a tea that’s a little more special than the same Heavenly Seasonings flavor. Soothing, aromatic and creamy tea blends from Kolkata Chai Co. will make a wonderful gift. As soon as you open the bag, you will be greeted by the seductive aroma of Assam tea. There are no teabags here—the packets are a blend of whole spices, and the instructions on the package will walk you through the brewing process on the stovetop (rather than just adding water to a tea bag). I rather enjoyed the brewing and steeping; it requires some attention, but it’s far from a chore. I consider it a 10-minute break from the daily hustle and bustle. I offer this variety set (with a decaf tea bag included) as a gift for tea lovers, even the uninitiated.
Farm goat caramel Big Picture
I love cats, but I never thought I had a soft spot for goats. Big Picture Farm’s goat milk caramels and candies showed me that I really do love goats, and I’m more than happy with this discovery. The caramels from this sweet Vermont goat farm come in a variety of delicious flavors like golden milk, raspberry rhubarb, tea, wild chocolate mint, and sea salt vanilla. The candies have a soft, chewy consistency that reminds me of toffee (not the kind that makes you pull out your molars). You can purchase these caramels in single volumes or in different packages in a glass milk jug , but I suggest this gift set so that after you’ve eaten all the caramels, your giftee can receive a keepsake: a cute tea towel with all the goats on it. faces on it.
Set of 3 Hot Ones sauces
Hot Ones is more than just a fun interview show where celebrities indulge in capsaicin-fuelled fever dreams. The show features real small businesses, and Heatonist offers some great combinations that make fantastic and zesty gifts. You can buy 10 packs for the season of the show, but let’s be honest, 10 hot sauces is a lot. Keep them down to three packs so your loved one can actually handle them. Try this dish from Season 24, which features my favorite hot sauce, Mark’s Fermented Kimchi.