Foodies tend to be a tad fanatical—a sweeping generalization, I realize, but having had to find gifts for several such friends, one that I can attest to. Here's a roundup of gifts that will please the most discerning of palates.
To make sure we've got everyone on your list covered, we're posting a new gift guide every weekday from now until Christmas. See all of the Gift Guides to date in our archive.
Above: What do you get the domestic goddess who has everything? When Julie made a guest appearance on the Martha Stewart Show a couple of years ago, she brought Martha a selection of spices and herbs from March Pantry in San Francisco. Happily, the wares are now available online. Our favorite: Shichimi Togarashi, made from mustard seed, orange peel, sichuan pepper, lemon myrtle, and dry chili; $25.
Above: Bitters are one of those versatile ingredients that are great to have on hand—whip up a cocktail with them or add a dash of flavor to soups, stews, curries, and marinades. Our favorites are made by Canadian company Bittered Sling whose flavors include Orange & Juniper, Grapefruit & Hops, Lem-Marrakech, and Plum & Rootbeer. They offer =4-ounce bottles for $29.95 each, as well as a gift pack of six signature extracts in 25 ml bottles for $59.95, from The Meadow. For other dealers across the country as well as drinks recipes, visit Bittered Sling.
Above: Food guru Heidi Swanson's latest find for her online shop Quitokeeto: San Francisco patisserie Craftsman & Wolves' Confiture Café au Lait (L), a coffee-infused dulce de leche, and Passion Fruit-Olive Oil Curd (R), which she describes as "passion fruit with notes of tropical flowers and a bold, addictive tang." For dolloping on ice cream, toast, or yogurt, or baking into tarts, they're $25 for the set of two 7.5 ounce jars.
Above: Grove 45 is a Napa Valley estate-produced extra virgin olive oil. Harvested and pressed on the same day, the smooth, peppery blend of Tuscan oils with a dash of Sicilian is packaged in a design-worthy re-useable aluminum bottle with pewter label; $43 from Ultra Lavish. See my Gardenista companion post about Grove 45 and How to Choose a Good Olive Oil.
Above: We're big fans of LA-based Valerie Confections, in particular their Pumpkin Seed Caramels (L) made with fresh cream and pumpkin seeds and accented with soy salt, $16, and their Citrus Bark (R), hand-candied organic citrus with bittersweet chocolate; $15.
Photograph via Eater.
Above: Learn from the leader. Rene Redzipi's Danish restaurant Noma has two Michelin stars and was named best restaurant in the world for three years in a row by British magazine Restaurant. His latest publication, René Redzepi: A Work in Progress, is a well-designed bundle of three books: a cookbook, a personal journal by Redzepi, and a pocket book of images; $46.29 from Amazon.
Want to hear the essential kitchen tools and pantry staples from two pros? See Expert Advice: 10 Secrets from the Girls from Food 52. And if you missed our recent Tupperware party, see 10 Easy Pieces: Food Storage Containers.