If you have an avid cook or food lover, there are tons of gift-giving opportunities these days.
If you have an avid cook or food lover in your life, the gift-giving opportunities are vast and profound these days. Brick-and-mortar stores and online are stocked with authentic ingredients and creative concoctions. A global pantry beckons. Additionally, the packaging is often luxurious.
Many of these affordable luxuries can be tucked into a stocking, but they also make great gifts for co-workers, mail carriers, nephews, and teachers. As a somewhat compulsive and obsessive gift giver, matching edible treats that are perfect for the recipient is my jam (also a great gift option!).
All of these items cost less than $50, but they make a huge splash.
Let’s go!
oh nuts
Two Chinese-American friends have transformed the flavor of their favorite childhood snack into a sweet spread that can be spread on toast, apples, or eaten plain with a spoon. Rooted Fare sells spreads like Clancy Black Sesame Butter (inspired by the Chinese New Year dessert Tang Yuan), Pineapple Cake Cashew Butter, and Chinese Almond Cookie Butter. $15 per bottle.
Il Colle del Gusto makes sweet and unusual nut-based spreads with an Italian twist. Coarse hazelnuts and cocoa, crunchy peanuts and Sicilian pistachios are all blended with olive oil. Mix it into ice cream or spread it generously on toast. Each jar costs less than $10.
Related: Sesame lovers will appreciate either the assortment of tahini products like Chocolate Sesame Sauce or Seed + Mill’s tubs of flaky, melt-in-your-mouth halva in flavors like cardamom and pistachio. Some great gift sets are available for under $50.
the crunchiest
Chili Crunch seasoning is taking the culinary world by storm, and there are some great options for gifting.
Fly By Jing has a huge selection of Asian-inspired chili crunches, as well as some attractively packaged gift sets for the holidays. A mini sampler set costs about $20.
The aptly named Chili Crunch sells several varieties of crunchy seasoning, including hot, chipotle, mild and original, for about $13 a jar.
Somos’ Salsa Matcha Mexican Chili Crisps are an explosion of texture thanks to lots of nuts and seeds. Scoop these spicy, crunchy sauces over everything from avocado toast to tacos. And try something sweet with your ice cream. A set of two gifts with cute spoons is $35.
Feeling cocky
Chef Patricia Quintana has developed a line of salsas, sauces, dressings and condiments that uphold the traditions of traditional Mexican cooking. Treat someone to a jar of achiote sauce or pineapple habanero salsa (and hope they invite you to a meal afterwards). $15 to $20 per bottle.
Have you heard of Aardvark’s secret sauce? You might want to spread the word. This Caribbean/Tex-Mex seasoning line has gained a huge following for what they call “exciting flavors in your mouth.” There are plenty of choices, including Drunken Jerk Jamaican Marinade and Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce. $10 each, combo packs start at $20.
Something is suspicious
Canned fish is also a big hit in the culinary world (and often the packaging is very fun). Fishwife cans ethically sourced fish from around the world, including salmon, anchovies, and trout, in attractive gift boxes for under $50.
La Narval focuses on fish and sauce combinations, such as mussels in Spanish sauce. Each can costs about $10.
A little snack
At The Drinks Bakery, we create snacks with flavors that perfectly pair with your favorite booze. Enjoy Lancashire cheese and spring onion biscuits with a hoppy IPA or Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy parmesan, toasted pine nuts and basil biscuits with a whiskey highball or champagne. Choose from a small box or a large box.
oil and vinegar
I can’t think of a better food gift than a high-quality bottle of oil or vinegar, one of the most commonly used ingredients in the kitchen. Bona Fortuna’s carefully selected Sicilian olive oil is fresh and aromatic, while the aged balsamic vinegar is rich, sweet and rich. For example, Modena’s Invecchiato 7 Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar sells for $44.95. Forte Extra Virgin Olive Oil $10.95 to $39.95.
Metafora Olive Oil comes in a beautiful bottle and is the perfect introduction to Portuguese olive oil. $40.
Alvear makes a wonderful Andalusian sherry vinegar. For your local salad maker or Spanish chef, consider gifting one sweet and one dry bottle for about $20.
fancy pants
At Tartuflanghe, we create all kinds of premium ingredients infused with white and black truffles. Elevate your dish with truffled butters (about $10 each) in flavors like porcini and anchovy. Get a box of 19 decadent truffle-flavored tartufissima for $32. Or how about a small jar of black truffle pearls ($40) that look like caviar and are the most elegant way to round out risotto or deviled eggs?
sweet sweets
It’s sweet season, but you don’t have to settle for old-fashioned bonbons.
Saunders is known for its decadent chocolate-covered caramels, and will be introducing several limited-edition flavors this holiday season. Do you know someone who would love a bag of bourbon, maple, or peppermint dark chocolate sea salt caramel? I do! $10.
Have you ever seen Lady M’s elegant multi-layered crepe cake? Now, this holiday, try our Holiday Crepe Biscuit Collection, which is more portable and perfect for gifting. The eight wedge-shaped boxes contain delicate crepe biscuits with fillings including vanilla, hazelnut chocolate and green tea. $28.
Andre’s Confiserie Switzerland is the result of generations of Swiss chocolate-making expertise, producing handcrafted chocolates with deep, rich flavors. Unusual classics include Nussbergeristics, a mixture of caramel, candied orange peel and nuts and covered in dark or milk chocolate, and a lovely assortment of chocolate-covered almonds. Check out our chocolate pine cones filled with festive almonds, cute edible decorations too. Prices start at $7.
There are chocolate bars and there are chocolate bars. At Chocopologie, you’ll be spoiled for choice among the many creative sweets. Burnt caramel Hawaiian sea salt? S’mores bars with organic graham crackers and vegan marshmallows? At $10 each, you may need to buy several.
The baker you know loves to play with Kitty Keller’s Salted Caramel Crumble. These toffee-like crumbles are made from butter and salted caramel from Brittany, France, and can be used to round out all sorts of sweet treats with crunchy little flourishes. $12.
I could go on (quite explicitly), but suffice it to say that a little extra treat can go a long way. Those stockings won’t get stuffy!
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For more AP gift guide and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays.
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