If mayo is your go-to condiment, you have to try this Japanese version. Japanese mayo is famous for being extra rich, ultra decadent and flavorful, since it uses just egg yolks and not the entire egg unlike the majority of American mayonnaises. Even the eggs themselves in this particular brand of Japanese mayo are special: They’re sei-agri eggs, which come from chickens hand-fed a special vegetarian diet to yield better flavor. A little apple cider vinegar brings brightness, while mustard brings balance. And a vacuum-sealed pot is used during the mayo’s emulsification process to further preserve the complex flavor. Plus, it contains no additives like other brands—just bold taste and creamy texture.

Every kitchen should have a Chinese-style cleaver, whose tall, heavy-duty blade and forward-heavy balance do most of the work for you when chopping big batches of vegetables and mincing meats or herbs. We found an excellent model from Japanese producer Toryumon that, unlike most flat-bellied cleavers, has a slightly curved edge similar to a European-style chef’s knife, so American home cooks will find it easier to use. Roughly 7 inches long and 3.5 inches tall, the blade is smaller and more approachable than other models and ideal for those with smaller hands.

Milk Street Extra Virgin Oil is cold-extracted from Spanish olives with a mild, delicate flavor and smooth, buttery quality that isn't overly rich or cloying. Rather than a sharp hit of pepper like with other brands, the golden-green oil leaves only a light, pleasant tingle at the back of the throat. We partnered with artisanal producer Olio Roi to source our olive oil; the fourth-generation company has been producing olive oil since 1900 and sources only the highest-quality olive oil that is selected by professional tasters. We chose our olive oil based on its light, wonderfully soft flavor, which has a remarkable capacity to heighten a dish without distracting. Whether you use it raw or for cooking at low or medium temperatures, this versatile oil will be the one you reach for every time.

Also known as a fish spatula, Lamson's slotted offset spatula is an indispensable and endlessly useful kitchen tool for sautéing, stir frying, grilling and more. The long, flexible paddle is lightweight and easy to manipulate, yet it's sturdy enough to lift half-pound burgers and whole grilled cheese sandwiches. On the other hand, the sharp, angled edge and ultrathin design will easily slide underneath delicate foods like eggs, pancakes or its namesake fish fillets. The hardened and tempered high-carbon stainless steel—the same stuff Lamson makes its knives from—gives it a terrific springiness. We worked with Lamson to produce this exclusive version of the Slotted Turner, with a durable polymer handle in our favorite Milk Street high-visibility orange. The pop of color makes it easy to find in the messiest utensil drawer or beneath all the dishes in an overstuffed sink.

We consider a set of tongs indispensable in the kitchen and collaborated with Kuhn Rikon on what we consider to be the perfect set. At 12 inches long, they are just the right length for both outdoor and indoor cooking (tongs designed for just BBQ are usually awkwardly long for anything but grilling). The scalloped, concave tips provide a firm yet gentle grip on most any food—they won’t tear delicate goods the way more aggressive serrations can (like most tongs on the market). We use them for everything from sautéing and grilling to baking, stirring pasta and even juicing--closed tight, the tips form a terrific citrus reamer. Consider them a heat-proof extension of your hands.

Our Serrated Pocket Peeler will easily help you remove smooth or fuzzy skins from tomatoes, peaches and more that would usually require blanching to loosen the skins. We think it’s a necessary tool for making fresh tomato sauces in which the thick skins would otherwise mar a silky texture or a peach cobbler where all we want are chunks of perfectly tender peach.

Mustard-lovers will appreciate the nose-clearing pungency of this Horseradish Mustard by historic French brand
Bornibus, which has a clear spice but isn't harsh since it's made with fresh (not powdered) mustard. Less metallic-tasting than jarred horseradish and more complex than most mustards, we like to think of this small-batch condiment as a rich, robust alternative to Dijon mustard with an added spicy accent.

This cutting board is not only durable, but it also will prolong the life of you knife blade. The “pull and slice” technique is the common way to slice food in Japanese cooking, which can often lead to chipped edges if using a hard cutting board. But this one is coated in layers of soft plastic that provides much better protection for your knives and protection for your fingers, since it’s non-slip. Plus, the material has strong antimicrobial properties—one of the highest standards in Japan—so it won’t hold germs as much as a standard cutting board would between uses. It’s wood core keeps the cutting board from warping from use and high-temperature dishwashing. And since it’s not entirely made of wood, it much more light weight to use.

Not to be confused with your run-of-the-mill peanut butter, Il Colle del Gusto’s Arachidella Peanut Spread is decadently sweet—elevating the beloved taste of the childhood favorite with the molasses-y depth of caramelized brown sugar. Petite flecks of candied peanut add a toffee-like crunch to every spoonful, while a silken base of extra-virgin olive oil yields a luscious, caramel-like texture. And as we learned from the ever-popular “Nutella,” the Italian suffix “ella” is tacked onto a word to show affection, so there’s no question why it’s used in the name of this divine spread.

Japanese company Kai, who makes our favorite poultry shears, also produces a line of kitchen graters: the Pure Komachi Series, which has sharper cutting edges than most brands because its stainless steel is precision-cut using an innovative etching method. The Fine Grater & Zester, which comes in a cool slate gray hue, shreds food similar to a wand-style rasp grater, but with finer, more delicate results—it's also easier to clean. We especially like it for a dusting of lemon zest or nutmeg over a dish. The ergonomic handles are made of plastic treated with a nonslip coating that wraps around the whole device to form a grippy base at the other end, which is helpful if you choose to brace the grater against a surface.

Japanese company Kai, who makes our favorite poultry shears, also produces a line of kitchen graters: the Pure Komachi Series, which has sharper cutting edges than most brands because its stainless steel is precision-cut using an innovative etching method. This magenta Julienne Slicer produces fine ribbons that are slightly thinner than a matchstick and too fussy to cut by hand. It's excellent for delicate shreds of cheese that won’t immediately melt when sprinkled on your dish and for hard vegetables. Grate ginger with the grain, not against, for shreds perfectly sized to add to stir-fries and soups. The grater's ergonomic handles are made of plastic treated with a nonslip coating that wraps around the whole device to form a grippy base at the other end, which is helpful if you choose to brace the grater against a surface.

Our five-ply cookware has three layers of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of nonreactive stainless steel. The aluminum core heats evenly and retains that heat well, eliminating hot spots, while the magnetic stainless steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. The skillet's heavy-duty construction also ensures that it won't warp over time, unlike thin metal pans that become raised in the center. And the rounded, oven-safe handle feels comfortable and well-balanced in the hand, even when handling a full pan of food; plus, the handle's hollow core is lightweight and stays cool during stovetop cooking. We use an 8-inch skillet for a wide range of kitchen tasks from toasting nuts and spices, to breakfast duty, to omelets, to smaller jobs such as steak for one.

If you only purchase one saucepan, this is it. Made from 5-ply professional grade stainless steel sandwiched around a pure aluminum core that provides superior heat conductivity, this saucepan produces professional chef results. No burning. No hot spots. Even heat conductivity. (If you answer a phone call, your oatmeal or onions won’t burn.) The magnetic stainless steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. The brushed stainless steel finish also makes cleaning easier and keeps the saucepan looking new longer. Oven safe up to 500 degrees and made from 18/10 stainless steel.

Pressed from olives grown on 100-year-old trees, this acclaimed Italian olive oil is herbaceous and subtly fruity, with a unique hay-like quality. We especially love its rich, buttery mouthfeel, which is balanced by a peppery finish—the sign of a minimally processed product—so that the olive oil isn't cloying but rather light-tasting. It's a perfect finishing oil, full of character but not overwhelming. Try it with lightly dressed grains or pasta, whose nutty sweetness pairs well with the buttery flavor; we also like to drizzle it over focaccia before baking. High-quality olive oil is essential for our chilled Andalusian Tomato and Bread Soup (Salmorejo), creating a creamy body and adding a fresh, fruity flavor.

This dishwasher safe cutting mat is a great was to improve the functionality of any cutting board. It’s large enough to accommodate a large board, but it can also be cut to size for more specialized shapes. Plus, this one is much better than others we’ve tried, since your cutting board won’t slip and slide atop its surface even when its wet. It’s sturdy enough to stand up to frequent use, but it’s flexibility is a great asset, as you can easily pour your chopped veggies from your cutting board onto the mat and then right into the pot with less mess. Plus, it’s a great tool to use when you’re having trouble getting a grip on an unruly jar.  

Essie Spice's must-have sauces and spice rubs are the result of one woman's culinary creativity and playfulness with global flavors. Originally from Ghana, Essie Bartels draws inspiration from not only West Africa but all around the world. Mekko Dry Rub puts a twist on Ghana's ubiquitous kebab powder, which has an aromatic base of ground peanuts and earthy, musky grains of Selim, a West African spice that reminds us of white pepper. The spice powder gets an Asian twist with Chinese five spice, cardamom and star anise. We love the balanced, complex and aromatic flavor profile of Mekko Dry Rub; use it not only as a dry rub for meat and fish but also roasted chickpeas or umami-rich portobello mushrooms. Sprinkle on roasted vegetables or cooked rice or grains as a one-ingredient seasoning. It's even great on popcorn as a snack.