These salt cellars by French company Berard have magnetic lids that easily pop open when you need seasoning but also fit securely for storage. Choose either the gray speckled ceramic for a lid that comes off completely or the olivewood for a swivel-top mechanism. This salt box is attractive enough that we sometimes use it on the dinner table for an elegant addition that doesn’t require shaking.

If you’ve invested in good-quality knives and want to keep them in tip-top shape, we can’t recommend Oregon company Work Sharp’s E5 Sharpening System highly enough. Our No. 1 choice for sharpening knives at home, it features a unique timer-driven belt system that works exactly like a professional sharpener’s grinder, putting a fine razor edge on blades without removing too much metal (the problem with other electric grinders). And with three timed settings, you won’t need to worry about under-sharpening or over-sharpening. The E5 is available on its own or bundled together with Work Sharp’s M3 Knife Sharpener, which is a classic honing rod made simpler to use.

Every kitchen needs a box grater, and this clever design by Danish company Eva Solo is a pleasure to use compared to other models. The large stainless steel cylinder acts like a cup to contain food as it is grated, so you can easily see how much you've grated and transfer the food to your dish when you're done—compare this to standard box graters that create untidy piles of shavings. About 60% of the grater's circumference is covered with grating holes, in traditional coarse and fine sizes, and we found it very easy to brace the tool with one hand while grating with the other. Eva Solo's product is also easy to clean, as it is dishwasher-safe and large enough to wash thoroughly by hand.

• Dimensions: Height: 8 inches, Diameter: 4.75 inches
• Material: Stainless steel
• Care: Dishwasher-safe

French company Griottines uses a proprietary blend of brandy and kirsch—a clear liqueur distilled from whole cherries—to make these intensely flavored yet balanced cocktail cherries. They have a wonderful warm flavor and almond-like aroma that complements and rounds out the tartness of the fruit; cherries and almonds actually come from the same botanical family, and the cherry pits used to make kirsch impart a complex almond flavor that adds depth to Griottines. Unlike other cocktail cherries that taste only of sugar, these cherries retain a vibrant fruitiness—no doubt in part because the company macerates its cherries within six hours of when they are hand-picked off the branch. And because the cherries are sorted and selected by hand, you can be sure of a high-quality product, with whole, intact fruits that are perfect for garnishing your favorite cocktail or dessert.

Whether you buy oil in bottles that are too large to pour from or simply want an attractive vessel to keep on your countertop, these classic French cruets are the ideal solution. The handcrafted ceramic bottles offer light protection for oil, vinegar or any other liquid, thereby extending its shelf life. The snug-fitting cork stoppers and plastic caps on the metal spouts are highly effective, won't leak and allow for more precision and control when pouring. Plus, the beauty of the bottles is not to be understated: They exude effortless elegance, with a neat silhouette and striking contrast of colors and textures. The bottom half of each two-toned piece is left unglazed to display the cool tones of the natural earthenware, while the top has a glossy finish of either white and navy blue that gives the cruets a clean, polished look overall.

On Milk Street Radio, I am often asked for a good substitute for wine in cooking. Verjus is a decent alternative since it is the pressed juice of unripened grapes. (It comes from the French, “vert jus,” which means green juice.) Neither fermented nor alcoholic, it provides a light acidity that won't interfere with the flavor of the wine you're serving with your meal, which vinegars can sometimes do—verjus can also be used in place of wine vinegar in recipes. Our kitchen especially likes this version made on a family farm in Oregon’s pinot noir region for its bright flavor with hints of grape, apple and berry. Use Noble Handcrafted Verjus with lighter meats such as chicken or fish; I also use it to deglaze the pan with verjus after sautéing pork.

The aroma and depth of truffle oil is both highlighted and balanced by rich, floral honey in this decadent sweet and savory ingredient from Italy. The estate of San Pietro a Pettine is based in Umbria, Italy, a region known for its pungent, woodsy and highly sought-after truffles. This truffle honey has a full, resonant flavor, with a little muskiness like that of white pepper. It is ideal for enhancing other pungent flavors, like those of aged cheeses—try it with pecorino Romano on your next cheese board. We also like to drizzle it over roasted pork for an extra savory element or on salami pizza—honey with the cured meat soppressata on pizza is a traditional Neopolitan pairing. San Pietro a Pettine's Truffle Honey will bring out the best in simple cheese dishes, whether you use it to finish a grilled cheese sandwich or bring out dairy's natural sweetness and drizzle it over ricotta bruschetta topped with coarse black pepper.

The gritty texture of Skeppshult's hand-held grinder makes it easier to coarsely grind spices and is designed so ingredients stay in a concentrated area for efficient crushing. The softly radiused iron base fits the hand well, and the walnut-wood top provides a better grip and looks beautiful. Weighing just over two pounds, it feels great, looks great and is a pleasure to use.

Here at Milk Street, our favorite cookware items often double as serving dishes, but hot pans need sturdy trivets to protect tabletops. Traditionally used for cast-iron teapots, Oigen's beautiful trivet is fitted with rubber feet so it won't scratch surfaces or move around while in use. We love the elegant look of this trivet, which combines the rawness of cast iron with a delicate pattern. Solidly forged in Japan from cast iron and subtly detailed, they are as attractive as they are functional. Use solo, or group small and large trivets together.

Italian design firm Artelegno uses sustainably sourced wood to make these beautiful, individually crafted knife blocks, which combine the safety of magnetic knife bars with the attractiveness of wooden knife blocks. Store, protect and display your kitchen knives in style: Hidden, built-in magnets that firmly hold blades in place without making them difficult to remove, Artelegno's open design gives it a contemporary, sculptural look. The design also allows you to see the entire knife, not just its handle, making it much easier to differentiate between knives with similar handles. Plus, the relatively wide space between panels is great for showing off design details on your knives such as etched or hammered blade finishes. There's also an extra convenience factor: Rather than different sized slots for different knives, any knife can be placed in any magnetized position—so long as the blade is not longer than the length of the holder.

Extracting a perfect cup of coffee requires consistent water temperature: Too hot and the coffee will taste acrid, but too cold and the coffee will be weak and sour. From Fellow, a San Francisco startup that's a favorite among coffee connoisseurs, the Stagg vacuum-insulated dripper keeps temperature constant and prevents heat loss. Plus, the interior has a steeper slope than most pour-overs, maximizing contact between water and coffee grounds. A detachable bottom piece doubles as a drip cup and measuring guide. This taller XF model is designed so that you can fill up and leave to drip, combining pour-over and immersion brewing methods. The set includes a 20-ounce carafe made of hand-blown borosilicate glass, which has a longer heat retention and a double-wall construction—this makes the glass safe to touch when the carafe is full of hot coffee. We like how Fellow includes a silicone lid to keep coffee hot.

British company Crane Cookware uses a uniquely formulated cast iron for this sauté pan, which works just as well as traditional models but is thinner and more compact so it saves space. We love the neat, effective design, with clean lines and a flat, modern-looking lid. Also, the precise, straight edges on the pot and lid handles make them ergonomic and easy to grip, even with oven mitts on. The cookware works on all sorts of stovetops and is safe for use in the oven, with all the high heat retention and even cooking we expect from high-quality cast iron. Plus, the company emphasizes environmental sustainability, so the pan is made with up to 30% recycled iron.

This sauté pan has slightly higher sides than a skillet that hold bigger batches and keep food from spilling out when you're sautéing or stir-frying. Yet the pan is still shallow enough for moisture to escape when you want to brown meat. It's perfect for searing steaks, pork chops or chicken, then making a pan sauce from the remaining juices. Or take advantage of its accompanying lid to steam-cook open-faced omelets, or make dishes like Cracked Potatoes with Vermouth, Coriander and Fennel or Chicken and Bean Paella.

• Net Weight: 9.9 pounds
• Dimensions: Diameter: 9.05 inches | Depth: 2.75 inches
• Use: Oven-safe. Works on all stovetops, including induction
• Materials: Vitreous enameled cast iron, made from 30% recycled materials
• Place of Origin: France

Coffee lovers never need compromise again with this electric kettle, which is not only stunning in appearance but also super-efficient. It's designed by San Francisco startup Fellow, a favorite among coffee connoisseurs for high-tech and easy-to-use equipment. Simply turn a knob on the base to select your desired water temperature—between 135°F to 212°F—and Fellow's product does the work for you, with no more guesswork. There's even an optional 60-minute temperature-hold function for morning multitaskers or those who want refills.

Designed especially for making pour-over coffee, Stagg back-weighted handle will keep the center of gravity close to your hand even when the kettle is full, so you're not struggling to steady your wrist or hold the pot up. And the elegant spout is narrower than other models, for precision pouring. To match any kitchen setting, the kettle is available in a chic matte black, crisp matte white or modern polished-steel finish. Choose between .9-liter or .6-liter models.

• Net Weight (including kettle base): 0.9-Liter: 2.75 pounds | 0.6-Liter: 2.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 0.9-Liter: Height: 8 inches | Width: 11.5 inches | Base: 6.75 inches || 0.6L: Height: 7.75 inches | Width: 10.5 inches | Base: 7.5 inches
• Materials: 304 stainless-steel body and lid, plastic base
• Use: Heats between 135°F and 212°F. Roughly 5-minute heat time and 60-minute hold.
• Care: Hand-wash only

British company Crane Cookware uses a uniquely formulated enameled cast iron for this griddle pan, which works just as well as traditional cast iron but is thinner and more compact so it saves space. We love the neat, modern-looking design, with clean lines and precise straight edges on the handles that make them ergonomic and easy to grip, even with oven mitts on. The griddle pan works on all sorts of stovetops, including induction, with all the high heat retention and even cooking we expect from high-quality cast iron. Plus, the company emphasizes environmental sustainability, so this cookware is made with up to 30% recycled iron.

The clever herringbone pattern of this griddle is perfect for evenly grilling multiple foods at once; the ridges create neatly spaced charring on foods such as chicken, delicate fish or vegetables, while the even heat of cast iron prevents burning. The deep grooves and diverging lines on either side of the grill ensure that juices don't run together but rather are channeled down the center and sides of the pan. Pour spouts on one end of the griddle make for easier cleanup, as well as the nonstick properties of Crane's enameled finish. Use it to char vegetables or to get even grill marks on meat dishes such as our Seared Strip Steak with Almond Rosemary Salsa Verde.

• Net Weight: 7.9 pounds
• Dimensions: Length: 17.13 inches | Width: 9.45 inches | Depth: 1.2 inches
• Use: Oven-safe. Works on all stovetops, including induction
• Materials: Vitreous enameled cast iron, made from 30% recycled materials
• Place of Origin: France

Equal parts beauty and function, this minimal-rustic cutlery holder from Professional Secrets will add a touch of restaurant class to your kitchen. The accessory features three compartments—perfect for sorting table-side essentials like silverware, napkins and olive oil or attractively organizing larger tools like whisks and spatulas kept on the counter for easy access. Brass studs secure the shape of the cutlery holder, which is crafted from cognac brown tumbled buffalo leather with a reinforced base and sides. The leather’s varnished edge makes for easy cleanup and, due to the high-quality natural material, its appearance will improve over time as the piece develops a unique patina. Plus, the accessory’s sturdy bail handle allows you to easily tote it from kitchen to dining room or even to the backyard when dining al fresco.

Handcrafted from sustainably sourced bamboo and other all-natural materials, this beautiful lacquered bowls by French company Bibol has a simple, neat and elegant design. We love how the hand-applied lacquers highlight the natural wood grain on this lightweight and generously sized bowl; the food-safe varnish also makes it easy to clean and protects the porous bamboo from staining or absorbing off-flavors.

Bibol's founder, Little Moon, immigrated to France in the 1970s from her native Vietnam, where she had worked as a child laborer from the age of 8. Her company is committed to paying Vietnamese artisans fair wages for their handcrafted products, as well as providing them healthcare and sending their children to school.

• Dimensions: Diameter: 11 inches, Height: 5.5 inches
• Capacity: 6 liters
• Use: Not microwave or oven safe. Can contain hot foods up to 158°F.
• Care: Hand-wash, hand-dry immediately.
• Note: Bowls are handmade and may have slight variations in color or shape.

BALMUDA's innovative countertop toaster oven uses steam instead of just radiant heat to evenly warm up bread and pastries, ensuring tender, moist interiors with perfectly crispy crusts. Add a small amount of water to the built-in boiler (a measuring cup is included), and the oven will release steam that envelops the bread, simultaneously heating it and preventing inner moisture and flavor from escaping. An internal microchip senses the internal environment of the toaster box and guides the toaster based on one of five settings: sandwich bread, artisan bread, pizza, pastry, and the oven mode with three preset baking temperatures. And not only is Balmuda's toaster technologically impressive, it's also beautifully sleek and compact, meticulously designed for both performance and aesthetics.

• Net Weight: 10 pounds
• Dimensions: Height: 8.2 inches, Width: 14.1 Inches
• Material: Stainless steel, tempered glass door
• Use: Oven temperature ranges from 350°F–450°F. Do not add water in Oven mode.
• Care: Hand-wash removable toasting rack, baking pan, measuring cup, boiler cover and crumb catcher. Dry thoroughly. Wipe exterior and interior clean with soft, damp cloth and mild dish soap. Wipe dry thoroughly.

The teacups in JIA's four-piece Persona set are modeled after gaiwan, lidded vessels for loose-leaf tea that can be used both for steeping and serving. The pieces fit neatly together and are designed to be used together for drinking, with the lid holding back leaves as you sip. When you're not using it to cover the cup, rest the lid upside down, with its handle functioning as a base. This keeps the inside of the lid clean and, much like a saucer, the concave interior prevents moisture from dripping onto tabletops. In classic Chinese fashion, the teacups are made of fine, translucent porcelain, which is exceptionally strong despite its thin construction. A different texture on each teacup in the set shows off the delicate material through four different patterns: checkered, dotted, spiral and striped.