Yuasa Ki-ippan Kuromame Shoyu
Made from premium black soybeans and aged in cedar barrels for over two years, this Ki-ippan Kuromame Shoyu is thick and rich in flavor—full of funk, earthiness and a bit of sweetness. Crafted by fifth-generation Japanese company Yuasa Soyu Sauce Co. in Yuasa—a traditional brewing city that’s like a living soy sauce museum—it has won the Grand Gold Medal at the Monde Selection for 10 consecutive years. The deep umami and sweet notes that make this shoyu stand out come from the premium black soybeans, sourced from Tanba in Hyogo Prefecture. Known also as “Kuromame,” they have a black skin and white interior, and contain a distinctive taste. Use this anywhere you would soy sauce, from dumplings to meat to noodles, or in marinades, dipping sauces and salad dressings.
Koy Pantry Tomato Paste
Koy Pantry’s Tomato Paste is well seasoned, deeply rich and comes in a wide-mouthed jar for easy measuring. Made in Hatay, Türkiye, from local tomatoes harvested at the peak of freshness, the only other ingredient in this savory paste is salt, which is used to break down the produce and turn it into a smooth, spreadable paste that doesn’t run. The resulting flavor is outstanding—slightly acidic, sweet and fruity with a punch of a umami and a hint of salt. The robust tomato flavor makes it the perfect candidate for any range of cuisines or dishes, from pastas and stews to beans and marinades. Plus, because it comes in an easy-to-scoop jar, you’ll be able to spoon out every last bit—and won’t get any of the metallic taste you may find from canned or tubed versions.
Graza Co. Squeeze "Drizzle" Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Grown and made in Jaen, Spain, the country where about half the world’s olive oil is produced, Graza uses 100% picual olives for their “Drizzle” extra-virgin olive oil, specifically made for finishing. The single origin olives are harvested by hand in October, when they are still young, green and not fully ripe. Though a bit stubborn to pull off the tree, once pressed, they make an olive oil that is full of attitude, grassy and peppery, with a spicy zip that finishes a dish beautifully. Besides a punchy flavor that adds depth to whatever you add it to, we also love that “Drizzle” is packaged in a squeeze bottle, so you can emulate how chefs cook in restaurants. Use “Drizzle” to finish just about any dish, from meat and vegetables to popcorn and ice cream. And since it’s a finishing oil, be sure to keep it off the heat to maintain its delicate flavor.
Marchesi di San Giuliano Orange Slices in Syrup
We can't get enough of the warm, vibrant flavor of these orange slices in syrup, which our food editor, Matt Card, liken to deconstructed marmalade. To make them, organic blood oranges are hand-picked from the producer's own orchards, sliced finely with the rind still on, then briefly blanched to remove some of their bitterness and carefully layered in jars. The orange slices are covered with a reduction of orange juice, sugar and a touch of brandy—no pectin or artificial sweeteners—which contributes a vanilla-like roundness as well as sugary depth and richness. In addition to their rich flavor, we love the amazing texture of these orange slices, with a wonderful contrast between the silky pulp and surprisingly tender rind, which can be cut through with a fork.
Mount Mansfield Maple Products Maple Syrup
This incredibly rich syrup has notes of butterscotch, honey and toasted sugar, with a heady base of vanilla and dried fruit. A member of our kitchen team likened its richness to a melted Werther's candy. It’s medium-bodied, which means it can easily be drizzled, but never too watery like store-bought versions. Compared to others, this one has a strong “true maple” flavor to it—nothing like more run-of-the-mill syrups that often have an off pine taste.
Elevator Coffee for Milk Street 177 Coffee Blend
After tasting coffees from roasters around the country, we decided to partner with Elevator Cafe & Commons, a small roaster in Portland, Oregon, to produce a custom blend for us from the freshest beans. They are the US Coffee Roasting champion of 2023 and the bright, clear flavors and precision of their roasting thoroughly impressed us. When you order our blend, you can be sure that the beans have been freshly roasted and shipped out immediately. Our inaugural 177 Milk Street coffee is a do-it-all blend that works across brewing methods and accommodates a variety of palates. The medium roast mix of Central and South American beans packs a full, rich body and a balanced nutty, cocoa-rich flavor. It’s a solid, full-bodied blend that’ll be terrific brewed in your standard coffee maker, pour-over, French press, Italian-style Moka pot or cold brew.
Mymouné Pomegranate Molasses
I discovered this Pomegranate Molasses from Mymouné through a Cambridge restaurant called Moona; the Lebanese company makes all of its products by hand in small batches, and their pomegranate molasses is the sharpest and brightest I have ever tasted. The bottle will last a long time, and it is so much better than the sweeter, less balanced supermarket products. It's a a powerhouse ingredient used throughout the cooking of the Middle East and the Caucasus region that I guarantee you'll love. — Christopher Kimball
Hot Pot Queen Chongqing Spicy Hotpot Thick Cut Noodle Kit
Whip up a weeknight-friendly meal in minutes with Hot Pot Queen's Sichuan Noodle Kit, crafted by Sichuan masters with a legacy dating back to 1982. The perfect balance of spicy yet comforting, the kit was inspired by a popular street food dish: Here, a rich and savory sauce clings to wide, ribbon-like chewy noodles. Made from a blend of authentic Sichuan peppercorns and regional chilis, the sauce is full of peppery, tingly málà flavor, balanced out by funky fermented bean paste and fresh ginger. Ready in just five minutes and ideal for a quick, hearty meal, this kit beat out some of our favorite grocery store brands by a mile.
Eat This Yum Balsamic Caramelized Onions Jam
A little sweet, a little savory, this Balsamic Caramelized Onion spread from Eat This Yum is a cheese board’s best friend. Two varieties of onion, Vidalia and red—paired for well-rounded flavor—are diced and cooked down with balsamic vinegar. The onions get jammy but stay intact for a chutney-like texture—unlike some jams that can feel overly gelatinous. And it’s surprisingly well balanced: Balsamic vinegar shines in this, cutting through the jam’s sweetness for tang and umami. Made with just five simple ingredients, this versatile onion jam pairs well with a variety of savory recipes.
Acetaia Leonardi Gold Medal Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP
The balsamic vinegar has an inky, almost syrupy consistency and is balanced between acidic and sweet, with a rich dried-fruit undertone. Quality this high is best enjoyed straight, drizzled over most any grilled or roasted meat, roasted vegetables, cheeses or garden-fresh tomatoes. Or try as a counterpoint to sweet berries or vanilla ice cream.
Il Colle Del Gusto Sicilian Pistachio Spread
Made from Sicilian pistachios and extra-virgin olive oil, Pistacchiosa is a creamy, aromatic spread you will want to put on all your desserts and, yes, eat straight out of the jar.
Yokofuku Japanese Black Garlic Paste
Soft and mildly sweet with savory, rich undertones, black garlic is an umami-packed ingredient that sets itself apart from normal garlic, which can be sharper and pungent. Still not found in most grocery stores, black garlic has grown in popularity in recent years as a simple way to add a complex, earthy-sweet boost to dishes. This Japanese Black Garlic Paste from Yokofuku is made from garlic planted in mid-September in Kagoshima Prefecture, an area with active volcanoes that makes for the most fertile soil. It’s harvested in early June, then steamed in a pot to create a constant temperature and humidity, which helps turn its enzymes from white to black—no additives or coloring required. Reminiscent of roasted garlic but a bit sweeter, the flavor is subtle yet deeply rich with tart hints of prunes and molasses. Ready to use right out of the jar without making a sticky, pungent mess of your hands or cutting board, add to sauces, aiolis, eggs, noodles, rice, marinades, meats and more.
Yokofuku “More More Garlic” Teriyaki Sauce
An exclusive Milk Street staff favorite and chock-full of Japanese-grown garlic, Yokofuku’s “More More Garlic” Teriyaki Sauce brings bold, sweet, garlicky flavor to just about anything you add it to. Planted in mid-September in Kagoshima Prefecture, an area with active volcanoes that makes for the most fertile soil, the garlic in this sauce is harvested in early June and combined with soy sauce from the Kyushu region, mirin, sesame and oyster sauce for a punchy, thick final product. Right upfront you’ll taste salty soy combined with pungent garlic, then notes of sweet, nutty sesame, plus a little bit of acid and funk from the mirin and oyster sauce. Use this delightfully textured sauce as a marinade or dipping sauce for barbecued meats, roasted veggies and tofu; toss with noodles and rice or add for an instant flavor booster to soups.
Casablanca Market Preserved Lemons from Morocco
Casablanca Market's preserved lemons have a bright, balanced flavor and they aren't overly salty or bitter like some brands. We like that they add a bold, piquant kick to dishes without being too sour, and their tender texture is perfect for chopping finely and incorporating into recipes.
Aldo Armato Peperoncino- Dried Red Pepper Flakes
The Armato family has been producing fine Italian products, from olive oil and condiments to preserved vegetables and pastas, at their mill in Liguria, Italy, for five generations. And these dried red pepper flakes are in a league of their own—full of flavor and potency that most grocery store versions lack. Fruity and packed with heat (beware to those wary of some spice), each high quality chili pepper used is sourced from Calabria. All peppers are washed and dried in the sun, then blended gently into rustic pieces. Use these flavorful flakes anywhere you want to add a hit of elevated heat, from scrambled eggs, pizza and noodles to vinaigrettes, beans and marinades.
Mount Mansfield Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
This malty maple syrup is made from Grade A Amber Rich syrup before being aged for two and a half to three months in charred oak bourbon barrels from a small craft distillery in Chicago. Though lighter in color compared to the Grade B, the sweetness of the pure Vermont syrup is balanced beautifully by dark bourbon flavor, which comes through clearly, along with strong whiskey notes that spread across your tongue. The flavor lingers too, leaving behind a touch of leather from the oak barrel and a faint tingle from the whiskey burn.
KariKari Garlic Chili Crisp
We were blown away by this Garlic Chili Crisp from KariKari. We find most chili crisps tend to be mostly oil, but this version is incredibly textured with thin slivers of golden garlic, shallots and peanuts—not surprising since the name KariKari which means crunchy in Japanese. Garlicky and spicy off the bat, followed with a hit of umami and a delightful tingling from Sichuan peppercorn, you can add this crisp to just about any dish for more flavor and complexity. We like it mixed into noodles, rice, veggies and dolloped on top of fried eggs. Or try it spooned over vanilla ice cream for a sweet and spicy treat.
Koy Pantry Antep Pistachio Butter
There are only two ingredients in Koy Pantry’s Pistachio Butter, but this textured nut spread is packed with intense flavor. Unlike other nut butters on the market that are dense and artificial-tasting, Koy Pantry’s rendition tastes only of pure pistachios, nothing else. Made from Antep pistachios, a Türkiye-grown nut renowned for its vibrant green color and creamy, buttery flavor, it’s sweet, nutty and bright—and perfectly spreadable, with a consistency similar to almond butter. All pistachios are carefully sourced and selected from local Turkish farms, then air-dried, cracked and ground with a bit of sugar for a flavorful—not cloying—result. Slather it on toast, cakes, cookies and pastries, whip into frosting, fold into batters or ice cream base, blend into a smoothie, stir into yogurt or eat it straight off the spoon. The possibilities are endless.