We love the deep savoriness and subtle fermented funk of this infused black garlic salt, whose every component is made in-house by Jacobsen Salt Co. near Portland, Oregon. Aged for two to three months in controlled heat and humidity until it undergoes the Maillard reaction (the same phenomenon that gives seared meats their umami flavor), black garlic is more mellow than raw garlic, with caramelized notes and a delicate balance between sweet and savory. Jacobsen Salt Co. grounds black garlic into a powder and mixes with the company's flaky, hand-harvested Pacific sea salt.

Harvested on the Aeolian Islands off Sicily’s northeastern coast, these plump, meaty capers are a world apart from the usual tiny nonpareils. Picked and preserved in olive oil flavored with oregano, bay and vinegar, they pack a bright, balanced herbal flavor—none of the sharpness of most capers. Try them in salads, pasta sauces or even pizza.

It’s no secret that we love chilies at Milk Street, and the diavolicchi from Masseria Mirogallo are some of our favorites. Their name comes from the Italian word for devil because they are said to be hotter than hell, but they also have a bright flavor and sweet finish. Hand-selected and packed into jars with only wine vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil produced from the same farm on which the peppers were grown, diavolicchi's piquancy will define and sharpen a dish’s flavors. Use to cut through a starchy pasta dish, clarify a rich braise or stew or heighten sauces. And don’t throw out the oil! It’s terrific in vinaigrettes or used for sautéing vegetables, seafood and eggs.

We prefer Masseria Mirogallo’s sun-dried tomatoes over other brands for their pure, authentic Basilicata flavor. The high-quality, fruity extra-virgin olive oil as well as the earthy oregano, grown alongside the tomatoes, make for an especially balanced and refined product. Use these meaty, supple sun-dried tomatoes to add texture and a sweet accent to your dishes. Dice and add to tomato-based sauces for an exciting twist—try adding a few tablespoons to our Spaghetti Puttanesca. We also like to add them chopped to bulgur pilaf, or even mixed into kibbeh.

This small-batch olive oil is made by pressing ripe citron fruit with hand-harvested olives, for a balanced, boldly flavored olive oil that captures the fresh aroma of citrus without any added tartness. We love how this citron oil is robust, full-bodied and smooth, yet light thanks to its refreshing citrus flavor. The aromatic compounds and silky-rich mouthfeel of Agrumato are best enjoyed raw to fully appreciate their complexity. Try citron-pressed oil as a finishing oil for fish, chicken or pork; the fruity brightness can even work as a substitute for lemon zest if you don't have fresh citrus handy. Or drizzle the oil over winter vegetables or bitter greens as a refreshing counterpoint without adding acidity. We also use it in place of extra-virgin olive oil in our Feta-Herb Vinaigrette for added fruity aroma to balance the salty cheese. Or swap out some of the lemon juice in our Lemon and Herb Pilaf wih Hazelnuts and fold in some of the oil instead—citron's floral notes are a great pairing for the naturally sweet hazelnuts.

We absolutely love this small-batch vinegar from French artisanal producer Huilerie Beaujolaise. With a bright and tangy vibrancy akin to tangerine, this vinegar almost tastes like a shrub, or drinking vinegar. Ubiquitous to Filipino cuisine, calamansi is a citrus hybrid between kumquat and mandarin orange.

Wheat berries—the completely unprocessed whole wheat kernel—fall into the wholesome and healthy category, but this hard white wheat from Palouse Brand is delicious, too. With their golden color and lighter texture, we found these wheat berries soft but chewy, with almost a pop-like sensation and mellow nutty flavor. They make a great breakfast topped with fruit or yogurt, just like a heartier version of oatmeal, and work well in place of rice for pilafs and mixed vegetable salads. The hard white wheat is triple-cleaned, making it ideal for milling yourself into whole wheat flour for a truly DIY baking experience. On top of the pleasant taste of these wheat berries, we especially love that Palouse, a fifth-generation farm in Washington, shares a strong commitment to sustainability and to protecting and enhancing soil, water, wildlife habitat and biodiversity. Even their packaging is environmentally conscious, using a 100% cotton bag printed with water-based, environmentally-friendly ink.