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.

This block is made from just pure organic Vermont maple syrup—that’s it. As maple syrup connoisseurs, we adore the rich stuff from Vermont’s Mount Mansfield Maple: a family farm that harvests maple sap from over 1,000 acres of well-cared-for maple trees. This maple block is essentially a large cube of maple sugar candy, which is made by boiling maple sap past the point of syrup until it crystallizes into hard sugar. The taste is sweet, maple-forward with light caramelized notes. To use, simply grate a pile of sweet flakes that can be swirled into coffee or tea, top meats for the grill and, of course, enhance all kinds of desserts.

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. 

This sweet maple spread will add a dollop of decadence to all kinds of desserts and breakfast items. Each jar has an incredibly high concentration of pure, organic maple syrup from Vermont—which packs a lovely, bold maple flavor compared to other maple creams we’ve tasted that use lower-quality syrups. Though thick, the cream is spreadable and able to be drizzled. And because it’s sugar, it melts quickly on the tongue, releasing a wonderfully rich taste. It’s flavorful enough to simply slather across a thick slice of warm bread—letting the sugars dissolve and soak into it—or eat by the spoonful.

These crisp spears impressed us with their lovely texture—a light crunch, not too chewy or stringy like other pickled veggies can be. Submerged in a brine of garlic, spices and those spicy red Goathorn peppers, Mama Lil’s Asparagini pack big flavor in every jar. We love how the tangy brine complements the vegetal earthiness of the asparagus, while the lingering heat truly takes these beyond your typical pickled veggie.

These Hungarian goat horn peppers—a regional favorite in the Pacific Northwest—are produced in small batches based on a family recipe from more than 25 years ago. These pickled peppers are similar to peppadews but without the metallic aftertaste that peppadews are prone to. Packed with fennel and maple syrup, they have a complex—but not sugary—sweetness and moderate heat, with a flavor reminiscent of Italian sausage. They are as good straight from the jar as stirred into countless dishes—there’s little that Mama Lil's peppers can’t improve. Tuck the peppers into most any sandwich, or mince finely and stir into egg salad or your deviled egg filling (add a couple of anchovies too for a game-changing combo). Pile them on a burger or scatter them over homemade pizza—they'll even liven up pies delivered from your favorite pizza chain. Chopped fine, the peppers add a sweet-tart burst to most any tomato-based pasta sauce, especially our Pasta alla Norma or Pasta con Fagioli. Or add to stews and braises for a clarifying accent note, like our Tuscan Beef and Black Pepper Stew (Peposo alla Fornacina) or Roman Braised Beef with Tomato and Cloves. Or swap in any of our recipes where we use peppadew peppers, like our ultra-fast Skirt Steak Salad with Arugula and Peppadews.

These Hungarian goat horn peppers—a regional favorite in the Pacific Northwest—are produced in small batches based on a family recipe from more than 25 years ago. Mama Lil's enhances the goat horn peppers' heat with additional chilies in the jar, while the flavor overall is sweet and tangy with subtle grassy notes. The peppers have a tender, not leathery, texture and medium-hot spice. They are as good straight from the jar as stirred into countless dishes—there’s little that Mama Lil's peppers can’t improve. our food editor, Matt, considers these an absolute pantry staple and buys them by the case.

These Hungarian goat horn peppers—a regional favorite in the Pacific Northwest—are produced in small batches based on a family recipe from more than 25 years ago. The oil-packed peppers have a tender, not leathery, texture and bright, piquant flavor enhanced with garlic and a secret blend of spices that perfectly moderate the pepper’s heat level. Mama Lil's original recipe perfectly straddles the line between sweet and savory, with a tangy brightness and vegetal notes that are highlighted by the fruitiness of extra-virgin olive oil. They are as good straight from the jar as stirred into countless dishes—there’s little that Mama Lil's peppers can’t improve.

With their sweet, sour and spicy flavor combination, these tasty bread & butter pickles definitely stand out from the rest. Whether used on a sandwich in a salad, or eaten straight out of the jar, we found that they have a great sweet and sour balance and a good hit of heat. The pickled onions and red pepper slices in the brine are an added bonus, as they not only give a nod of flavor, they are also delicious on their own. Mama Lil’s sources the ingredients from local farms, including Willamette Valley cucumbers, spicy red “peppas” and Walla Walla sweet onions pickled in a sweet apple cider vinegar brine. Packed in a glass jar with a colorful folk art label, these pickles make a great gift to bring to a picnic or barbecue.

Unlike most of Moon Shine Trading Co.’s honeys, this wildflower comb honey is not a monofloral—but it has a light, neutral flavor uncommon in honeycomb. The perfect hexagonal cells hold pure honey that is raw, unheated and unfiltered. Use on a cheese board, spread on baked goods or simply chew by itself for a lovely clean taste that any honey fan will enjoy. Even better, this comb is showcased neatly in an elegant clear box with an original floral watercolor label, making it an ideal gift.

Enjoy three of Moonshine Trading Co.‘s signature honeys in one sweet gift box. Taste the cinnamon notes of High Plains Sweet Clover, the unique marshmallow-y richness of Northwestern Meadowfoam and the floral lightness of Californian Black Button Sage. All three are ideal for everyday use, with enough versatility to add into any recipe and enough complexity to stand on their own.

California Black Button Sage honey is light in color and flavor with a rich taste and subtle herbal notes. This honey has a non-crystallizing quality and is considered to be quite rare due to the type of conditions needed to make the plant grow. We love the lightness and floral hints that can be tasted in every drop. You’ll appreciate the versatility of this honey, both as a stand alone product and as your go-to honey for anything you’re cooking.

We love this Meadowfoam honey for its exceptionally unique flavor and aroma. Believe it or not, it packs a clear flavor of toasted marshmallows with a smooth vanilla-toffee finish. But don’t be fooled, this special honey doesn’t mean you should count it out for everyday use. The flavors are distinct enough to appreciate alone, yet accessible enough to use in any of your favorite recipes.