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.
China Live House XO Sauce with Cognac
We found it: the best XO sauce on the market. An intensely savory condiment of chilies, dried seafood and cured ham that originated in Hong Kong, XO sauce is a rich umami bomb. This game-changing sauce from Chef George Chen adds flavor, umami, texture and heat when used as an ingredient in a dish or as a condiment. Every spoonful of China Live’s XO sauce contains a surprising mix of textures and flavors; jammy or crispy-chewy bits of dried seafood, meat or alliums are suspended in a silky sauce that never feels oily, unlike mass-produced versions. XO sauce gets its name from “extra old” cognac, a drink that was fashionable in 1980s Hong Kong when the sauce was first made—even though it’s not typically an ingredient. But Chen and his mixologist added cognac for a final touch of silkiness and flavor, like using a brandy glaze to finish a steak. This XO sauce is more complex than spicy, with moderate heat from “facing heaven” chili peppers. And the sauce has a subtle, earthy sweetness and a light brininess.
Yun Hai Taiwanese Pantry Pineapple Soy Sauce
Handcrafted by multi-generational soy sauce makers, this condiment is made by mixing sweet and juicy Taiwanese pineapple with black soybeans and salt and leaving the mixture to ferment for 180 days in earthenware pots. The golden brown liquid has a fruity fragrance, but that pineapple note mingles with the more savory flavors once the sauce hits your palate and yields a sweet, delicious funkiness and nuanced saltiness. More bright and fruity than the deep caramel of standard soy sauce, the condiment also packs a complex umami flavor not only from the nuttiness of the soy, but also from the distinctive fermented pineapple—a flavor layer that can’t be found in grocery stores.
Shortbread House x Sara Miller Tin - Ginger
Now available in tins made by British home designer Sara Miller, known for her playful prints. Decorated with vivid colors and gold accents, these extra-large tins make perfect gifts or keepsakes. Many store brands lack the rich butteriness of true Scottish shortbread, ending up too gritty or pasty on the tongue, but these treats are truly authentic, handmade from a family recipe. Each one of these classic biscuits is richly buttery and tenderly textured with the perfect amount of crumbliness—with nubs of candied ginger sprinkled throughout that adds zip and a touch of pleasant chew. Warming ground ginger is incorporated into the dough as well, giving it an almost gingerbread-like flavor, but stays lighter and more lively without the addition of molasses. Their sweetness is balanced with a hint of salt, while the addition of ground rice gives these cookies a delightfully light and crisp texture. Dare we say, they’re better than homemade.
Mugolio Pine Cone Bud Syrup
Created in the Dolomite Alps National Park in Trento, Italy, by forager Eleonora Cunaccia, this unique syrup has a distinct flavor and fascinating origin story. To begin the process of making the syrup, Cunaccia first collects young buds from the Mugo pine, then macerates them in water and sugar for several months, before filtering and aging the sap and finally cooking it over a low fire with more sugar. The results of the syrup are stunning, producing a deeply earthy and sweet flavor with dark caramel notes, delicate maple, rosemary, wild rhubarb and just a bit of herbal pine. Its unique evergreen flavor works equally well as a drizzle over desserts or roasted meats.
Ito Shoten Tamari
Tamari, the liquid byproduct that results from pressing miso, is so much more than gluten-free soy sauce (a common misconception among American cooks). The distinct tamari from Ito Shoten—based in the Aichi Prefecture, a region of Japan known for deeply rich, uncommonly dark miso—is so complex it’s no wonder it has been likened to a wine. Aged in cedar barrels that are over 100 years old, Ito Shoten’s tamari develops a dark, almost inky color, as well as a wine-like depth and body. Its heady, malty aroma promises plenty of meaty savoriness, as well as caramel notes, deep umami and a lively salinity. This tamari is one to treasure: use it raw in small quantities to finish dishes where its flavor will shine, almost like a soy extract rather than a condiment. Its complexities get lost when it’s cooked into a sauce or dish.
Cheese Grotto Piatto
Inspired by the caves used for centuries by cheesemakers to store their wheels and wares, this cheese grotto is aptly designed to preserve the food’s freshness, aroma and taste using natural materials and careful climate control. It’s handmade from Baltic birch with breathable bamboo wood shelving to prevent premature molding and contains a clay brick humidifier on the bottom that, when soaked in water regularly, regulates moisture (no more crumbly cheese!). An adjustable back panel and special air channels promote extra breathability. Plus, you won’t waste any more plastic wrap on cheese that’ll only make it slimy. Also, the plexiglass windows and pull-down door let you easily access and keep an eye on your cheese. The smallest model available, this model easily disassembles when not in use, so it can lie flat in storage. Includes a 2oz bottle of mineral oil to help care for the wood. Holds up to 1 pound (2-3 pieces) of cheese.
Norður & Co Garum Fish Sauce Infused with Nordur Sea Salt
Originally used as a condiment by the Phoenicians and ancient Romans, garam is a fermented fish sauce that adds a rich umami flavor to savory dishes, oftentimes using oily fish. We especially love this version from Danish producer Norður & Co, which only uses autumn mackerel from Breiðafjörður. Autumn is the ideal time to catch mackerel, since it’s at the end of their fishing season and the fish have had time to develop a rich, fatty flavor by then. Mackerel is also a much more mild fish than those that typically are in fish sauces (anchovies, sardines, etc.), yielding a more mellow flavor and a light sweetness without the abrasive, too-salty kick that some fish sauces have. It’s also made with Iceland’s famous Norður salt—which is evaporated from arctic seawater and has an unmatched, clean taste.
Conservas Ramón Peña Small Scallops in Sauce
While tinned fish isn’t hard to come by, tinned scallops aren’t often found in the grocery store—let alone high-quality ones. So we were excited to taste Ramón Peña’s small scallops packed in a traditional Galician sauce, which our kitchen team described as the “gnocchi of the sea” based on their pillowy and tender texture. They’re caught in the Atlantic off the northwest coast of Spain and packed by hand. With a clean flavor, they’re enveloped in a bold, tomatoey sauce made with wine and spices. Add to salads, soups, pastas or just eat them on their own for complex, clean flavor and incomparable texture.
Cheese Grotto Mezzo
Inspired by the caves used for centuries by cheesemakers to store their wheels and wares, this cheese grotto is aptly designed to preserve the food’s freshness, aroma and taste using natural materials and careful climate control. It’s handmade from Baltic birch with breathable bamboo wood shelving to prevent premature molding and contains a clay brick humidifier on the bottom that, when soaked in water regularly, regulates moisture (no more crumbly cheese!). An adjustable back panel and special air channels promote extra breathability. Plus, you won’t waste any more plastic wrap on cheese that’ll only make it slimy. Also, the plexiglass windows and pull-down door let you easily access and keep an eye on your cheese. Includes a 2oz bottle of mineral oil to help care for the wood. Holds up to 2 pounds of cheese.
Gaec Haranea Organic Pimente D’Espellette Purée
Piment d’espelette is more commonly seen as a dry powder, but we love this paste for its vibrancy and robustly juicy flavor. Emblematic of French Basque cuisine, the espelette pepper is a medium to medium-hot pepper, with a very round, fruity flavor. It has a bit of that “spicy” flavor initially, but with a heat that doesn’t linger. The fruity flavor that it’s known for is sort of a cross between fruity Fresno chilies and earthier dried guajillo or ancho chiles, so it’s very flexible and can work well with pretty much any cuisine. A bit of vinegar keeps it bright in flavor (and acts as a preservative) without overpowering the flavor.
