 Golden Star Sparkling Tea: the most exciting nonalcoholic beverage of 2009 and a NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week. Photo courtesy Golden Star Tea.
December 2009
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Gourmet Food Gift Ideas
2009 Gourmet Food Picks For Connoisseurs
For that picky palate—the one that demands the best of everything—here are our favorite gourmet food gifts. While some items on this gift list get a bit pricey, others are as low as $12.95! Need even more suggestions? Check out our gift recommendations from prior years.
Products are shown in alphabetical order. Prices and product availability are verified at publication but are subject to change. These items are offered by a third party and THE NIBBLE has no relationship with them.
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Allen Brothers:
Prime Beef
You probably know that USDA Prime beef is available only at a few luxury butchers. There’s so little of it (just 3% of all beef) that most of it is grabbed up by top restaurants. Allen Brothers is a supplier to restaurants and sells its products online as well. This is the priciest gift on our list, but the beef connoisseur on yours will love it.
- Allen Brothers Porterhouse
Steaks—USDA Prime
16 To 48 Ounces
(Must Order In Quantities Of Two)
$99.95 To $259.95
Order online at AllenBrothers.com
Many other cuts of meat available on the website.
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 A T-bone, or Porterhouse, steak. To the left of the T is the filet mignon; to the right is the strip steak. Photo courtesy Allen Brothers.
Learn more about cuts of beef in our Beef Glossary.
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Chokola'j:
Hot Chocolate
We’ve tasted about 100 hot chocolates, and know a good one when we sip it. This one, from Chokola'j, a NIBBLE Top Pick Of the Week chocolatier (read the review), is a delight. We also love the brownies included in the Gift Tower, and the graceful mug.
- Hot Chocolate Gift Set
Includes Mug & Mix
$20.00
- Hot Chocolate Gift Tower
Includes Mix, Brownies & Orange
Batons (Chocolate-Covered Peel)
$34.00
- Hot Chocolate Quatro
Includes 4 Boxes of Mix
$49.00
Buy online at ChokolajChocolate.com
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Fill your cup with something special. Photo by Corey Lugg | THE NIBBLE.
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Golden Star:
Sparkling Jasmine Tea
Don’t like/can’t have/don’t feel like having a glass of Champagne or other bubbly? The divine, nonalcoholic solution is Golden Star Sparkling Tea. The tea is fermented like grapes in wine fermentation tanks. It looks like a glass of Champagne, but has the sweetness of Sauternes. You’ll like it so much that you may not notice (or care) that it’s non-alcoholic. It’s a real find for non-drinkers and drinkers alike: Anyone who seeks something new and exciting will love it. Read the review of Golden Star Sparkling Tea, a NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week.
- Golden Star White Jasmine Sparkling Tea
730 ml bottle
$12.95
Buy online at GoldenStarTea.com |
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Photo courtesy Golden Star Tea.
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Lucero California Olive Groves:
Olive
Oil Samplers
The Luceros are fourth-generation California olive growers from Corning, in north central California. Known as the Olive City, Corning has a history of producing some of the country’s most delicious olives. Its century-old olive trees are among the oldest in America! With beautiful packaging, the olive oil looks as good from the outside as the contents taste. Handsome gift box sets let you choose the varieties of heart-healthy olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar.
- Lucero Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar
Gift Boxes
2 To 12-Bottle Gift Boxes
$26.00 Up
- Single Bottles
8-Ounce Bottles $8.00+
16.9-Ounce Bottles $14.00+
Buy online at LuceroOliveOil.com |
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 Customize an olive oil and balsamic vinegar gift box. Photo courtesy Lucero. |
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Paumanok Preserves:
Savory Jellies
These exquisite savory jellies, a NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week, are so inexpensive, they qualify as stocking stuffers. But they’re so spectacular that you’ve got to give a set of three to the person who cares about great food. Start with Gracious Garlic Gelée, Haughty Horseradish Gelée and Incredible Onion Conserve; and read the entire review for our other favorites.
- Paumanok Preserves Jams, Jellies &
Chutney
12-ounce jars
$8.50-$13.00
Buy online at PaumanokPreserves.com
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 These jellies will make anyone jiggle with delight. Photo by Hannah Kaminsky | THE NIBBLE.
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Petrossian:
Pressed Caviar
Yes, you know fine caviar consists of delicate little beads. But when the beads at the bottom of the barrel get crushed or cracked, they become converted into pressed caviar. Pressed caviar has a bad reputation among caviar lovers: Most of it is very oily and salty. But Petrossian’s is a masterpiece: the perfect caviar spread. Honestly, we’re as happy to eat it as their finest Beluga (and in fact, it’s made from the crushed eggs of fine sturgeon eggs).
- Petrossian Pressed Caviar
1.06-Ounce Jar
(Or As Many Ounces As
You Can Afford)
$63.00
Buy online at Petrossian.com
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Pressed caviar. Photo courtesy Petrossian.
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Stonybrook WholeHearted Foods:
Butternut Squash Oil
For the person who loves to cook, here’s something you won’t find every day: the roasted, nutty flavor of butternut squash in a culinary oil. A new product from the Finger Lakes region of central New York State, developed by food scientists from Cornell University from the seeds of locally harvested butternut squash, this artisan culinary oil is rich in rich in vitamins A and E. All-natural and cold-pressed, it is delicious in salad dressings, marinades or for sautéing (it has a high smoke point) or drizzling on favorite vegetables. It’s great with the cruciferous group—broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower—and a cholesterol-free topper for baked squash. Try it as dipping oil with hearty whole grain bread.
Buy online at FormaggioKitchen.com
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Photo courtesy Stony Brook WholeHearted Foods. |
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