Shopping & Reviews

2012 Gift Guide: Edible Gifts

Here are some of our favorite gift-worthy edibles, from single-origin honey to a clever hexagonal spice set. See all our perfect present ideas in the 2012 Holiday Gift Guide »

Bee Raw Single Varietal Honey

Bee Raw carries an incredibly diverse selection of singe-varietal American honeys. Each type tastes (and looks) wildly unique: there’s thick and creamy star thistle honey sourced from Colorado; light, mellow, floral-scented wild raspberry honey from Maine; and deeply complex, molasses-like buckwheat honey from Washington state. If you’re dying to try them all, Bee Raw offers 1-oz. honey flights along with gift collections. _Bee Raw Single Varietal Honeys, from $14 at Beeraw.com_

David's Teas

This playful line of teas from Canada combines purity with whimsy, offering both pristine varieties, like smooth Quanzou milk oolong, as well as quirky blends, like Jumpy Monkey, made with mate tea, peaberry coffee beans, cacao nibs, carob, and cloves. David’s Tea loose leaf teas, $6-$11 for 25 grams at davidstea.com

Parisian Macarons from Francois Payard

This elegant gift box contains 24 delicate macaron cookies from legendary French baker Francois Payard in sumptuous flavors like chocolate with cocoa nibs, coffee, rasberry-lychee, pistachio, and passion fruit. _24-Piece Parisian Macaron Gift Box, $55.00 at Payard.com_

Hexagonal Spice Set

This collection of 24 organic herbs and spices by Gneiss Spice is the ultimate space-saver for the cook with a small kitchen–just stick each magnetized lid to the fridge, or any other steel surface. _ 24-Piece Hexagonal Spice Set, $94 at Fab.com_

Fine Cheese Co. Crackers

Headed to a holiday party with a gift of cheese to share? Your host will appreciate the addition of Fine Cheese Co.’s crackers–the quintessentially English brand’s selections are designed to compliment rather than compete with a variety of cheeses. _Fine Cheese Co. Crackers, from $8.99 at Cheesestoresl.com_

Cocktail Bitters Traveller's Set

Packaged in an old-fashioned tin, this “Traveller’s Kit” contains five 20mL bottles–small enough to take on an airplane–of The Bitter Truth’s favorite cocktail bitters, including Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter, Celery, Creole, Orange and Aromatic bitters. It’s the perfect gift for globetrotters and cocktail aficianados alike! _The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveller’s Set, $19.00 at Drinkology.de_

Foil-Wrapped Chocolate Ornaments

These baroque chocolate ornaments from Yolka, available in milk or dark Belgian chocolate wrapped in white, teal, or black foil, make a pretty addition to the tree–or the table. Yolkachocolates.com

Olympic Provisions Salumi

Based in Portland, Oregon, Olympic Provisions makes a delicious range of European-style dry-cured salami, pate, and other charcuterie. We were head over heels for the Saucisson d’Alsace, flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, but you can’t go wrong with any of their selections. Olympic Provisions Salumi, $10 each or $150 for a complete sampler at Olympicprovisions.com

Andalucian Olive Oil

This Spanish extra virgin olive oil comes in two flavor varieties–intenso, with a floral, herbescent fragrance and distinctly spicy flavor; and suave, with a more delicate, nutty flavor and smoother texture. Both are perfect for finishing fresh fruit and salads, soups, stews, and other dishes, and make a thoughtful, elegant gift for any cook. LA Organic Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil, see LAorganics.com for shop info »

Ambessa Teas

Created by chef Marcus Samuelsson, Ambessa (which means “lion” in Amharic) comes in 4 different flavors–Safari Breakfast, a blend of African black teas; Lingonberry Green, which combines the ubiquitous Scandinavian berry with Japanese sencha tea; Choco Nut Blend, a dessert tea with an aromatic black tea base; and The Earl of Harlem, a smoky twist on Earl Grey–each reflecting Samuelsson’s multicultural heritage and journey as a chef. The tea is packaged in beautiful tin boxes, and a percentage of every sale is donated to charities that support clean water and sustainable agriculture initiatives. _Ambessa Tea, $9.00 for a 20-satchet tin at Harney & Sons_

Misto Box Coffee Subscription

Sourcing from the best small-batch, artisanal coffee roasters across the states, a Misto Box subscription brings 4 different 1.7-oz bags of coffee to your doorstep every month. Find one you particularly like, or feel like something different? You can order 16-oz bag from their selection of hundreds of single varietals and blends. Misto Box Coffee Subscription, from $15 for 1 month at Mistobox.com

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