Anything Co. Maekake Japanese Traditional Apron
Don’t be fooled by this apron’s stunning design—it’s actually been used as a functional piece of workwear for centuries in Japan. They’re produced in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture (the last remaining area of production in Japan) and made from durable cotton that’ll stand up to frequent use. These aprons from Anything Co. are made on century-old Toyota shuttle looms (yes, the car company, which originally started out as a loom manufacturer). They’re colored with a rich indigo using resist-dyeing techniques, which allows the original white shade of the fabric to come through in the design and not bleed or fade over time. We love how the color fades a bit with use—typically, this is a sign in Japan of well-worn beauty. The thick belts are also colored with white and red, both considered lucky colors, and are sturdy enough to offer lower back support when tied in a traditional fashion.
Milk Street Közmatik
This Turkish tool is the secret to perfect char-roasted vegetables, especially if you don’t have a grill or fire pit. The disk fits perfectly over the grate of a gas grill or the burner of a gas stove, so no more painstakingly monitoring vegetables under the broiler or accidentally setting them on fire. The design lets heat circulate evenly around the vegetables, so you are truly roasting, rather than searing (as you would on a skillet). The holes in the közmatik are spaced close enough to hold even small veggies, so there’s no struggle to keep a bulbous eggplant steady or keep slender spring onions from falling into the fire or rolling off. It’s also less messy than trying to char directly on the burner: The közmatik catches nearly all of the bits of charred vegetable skin and juices that would otherwise leak onto the surface of the stove; and, once cooled, it can be thrown in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. Virtually impossible to track down in the U.S., this tool is essential for achieving luscious roasted eggplant and smoky-sweet roasted peppers.
Blithe and Bonny Wine Bottle Dish Soap
Available in two scents, this biodegradable dish soap is pleasant to use as much for its aroma as its stylish wine bottle packaging. The lavender scent contains 100% essential oil, sourced from an organic lavender farm in Oregon, with a touch of fir needle. The grapefruit version is a fresher and stronger scent than its lavender counterpart, with a hint of sweetness from added verbena. Keep the elegant bottle next to your kitchen sink for all your dishwashing needs or gift to a loved one.
Sir Madam Wine Runner
Individually printed in India using silk screens, Sir Madam’s Wine Runner is a fun and decorative addition to your table. Complete with an index of white and red European wine varieties, the regions they come from and their flavor profiles, this unique runner has finished edges that won’t fray and comes in a soft, natural color that matches any table. It makes a great gift and will be a statement-piece while entertaining. And when not in use, simply throw it in the wash.
Ravida Lemon Olive Oil
This unfiltered, extra-virgin olive oil from Sicily is delicately soft and fruity, with gentle spicy notes and a pleasant hint of lemon. We love its perfect balance between peppery and bitter—a feat even the best producers struggle to pull off. Rather than a sharp, pungent hit of pepper like some brands, this lemony EVOO leaves only a light tingle at the back of the throat. And unlike other lemon oils, which often taste artificial or too strong, this oil tastes simply of fresh lemon zest, with no bitterness or acidity. Family-owned Ravida Azienda Agricola makes their lemon rendition from Biancolilla olives that are handpicked in autumn then pressed immediately, along with organic Zagara Bianca lemons. The result is a complex, well-rounded finishing olive oil that has a remarkable capacity to heighten flavors, from meats and cheeses, to salad dressing, risotto, seafood, rice dishes, soups and more.
Grand Noodle Five Colored Noodles
Handcrafted by a master noodle maker, these multicolored guksu, or Korean noodles, are infused with clean vegetable flavor. Guksu Master Kim Hyun Kyu started his noodle operation in 1987, wanting to add flavor to basic, bland wheat noodles that only supplemented other recipe components. After years of experimenting with ratios, recipes and aging, Kyu developed vibrant, vegetable-forward twists on the classic noodle. These guksu get their distinctive color-true hues and flavor from garlic chives, sweet pumpkin, beets, and white and black rice. And the ingredients are more than natural food coloring; when cooked, the aromatic noodles impart a subtle but noticeable flavor to dishes and retain a pleasant chew. Try them in pasta dishes, Korean preparations—like bibim-guksu, a spicy noodle stir-fry, or kong-guksu, a cold soy milk soup—or boiled and tossed with oil and sea salt.
Sir Madam Oyster Runner
Sir Madam’s silk-screened Oyster Table Runner is a decorative addition to your table. Complete with a comprehensive list of every North American mollusk, this unique runner is handmade in India with finished edges that won’t fray and comes in a soft, natural color that matches any table. It makes a great gift and will be a statement piece while entertaining. And after using it, simply throw it in the washer without worry.
Modern Sprout Indoor Garden Jar - Basil
Always wanted an herb garden but never had the space to grow it—much less the time to take care of it? These simple mason jar gardens are the perfect solution. They’re made to grow indoors year-round, outfitted with a passive hydroponic system that sprouts plants using nutrient-rich water instead of dirt (all the better for no-mess kitchen gardening). Each kit comes with the following: a 1-quart mason jar, a stainless steel net pot, grow medium, a coco pith disk, a polypro wick, plant food and an instruction manual on how to assemble and care for your plant.
The Basil Garden Jar sprouts in 7-14 days and will be ready to start harvesting in 2+ months.
Please contact service@modernsprout.com for any and all questions.
Berard Round Salt Keeper
Brod & Taylor Folding Bread Proofer
This nifty box creates a perfect proofing environment every time—and we all know consistency is key when it comes to getting a good rise on your loaf. It keeps an optimal 60-80% humidity level thanks to the included water plate and allows you to set a perfect proofing temperature (we recommend 85 degrees Fahrenheit) through the heated base plate—plus the structure keeps out any drafts or other environmental factors that would cause change. The proofer is large enough to accommodate several hand-shaped loaves, though when you’re finished using it, it folds completely flat for stress-free storage. And the additional accessory shelf creates even more room inside if you need it. We found that wheat loaves (which can be fickle) rose quicker and more consistently in the proofer, and it also worked wonders to revive a dormant sourdough starter.
