Hédène French Acacia Honey and Rose
This rosy-hued honey is an elegant and exciting substitute for your standard bear-shaped squeeze bottle. Unlike a monofloral honey, this isn’t honey made from bees that only feasted on roses—it actually contains rose essence, so the floral flavor is much more pronounced. It’s delicately textured, silky smooth and clear in the jar, with a slight pinkish, golden tinge. With its distinctly light taste, acacia honey as a base is very simple and doesn’t compete with the floral flavoring. It adds just enough “honey” flavor to keep it from tasting too much like rose syrup—a bit herbal, a bit floral, quite sweet. But the rose is very well-balanced—just enough to yield a lovely perfume, but not so much that it tips into bath product or potpourri territory (which is always the fear of folks who aren’t into florals). It’s an undoubtedly elegant addition to your evening cup of tea and more.
Corsiglia Chestnut Cream
Rich silky and sweetened with Madagascar vanilla, this classic French chestnut cream will add depth and richness to your desserts. It’s made from pulverized and puree chestnut brisures, which are sweetened bits broken off in the painstaking candying process, and enhanced with fragrant hints of Madagascar vanilla. Although its not readily available in supermarkets, the most common brand we’ve tried of this cream is too cloyingly sweet, but Corsiglia’s boasts a complex flavor—nutty and malty, almost akin to dates—and velvety smooth on the finish.
Augier & Fils Lavender Honey
Augier & Fils Lavender Honey is a thick and creamy, pale yellow honey with a spreadable consistency that's ideal for eating straight off the spoon. We love its delicate floral and herbal aroma, which feels fresher and lighter than other floral honeys; it's not intensely lavender-flavored but rather reminds us of chamomile tea.
Augier & Fils Chestnut Honey
Honey aficionados will love this intense mono-floral honey from Provence, France, which has a smooth fluidity for drizzling and deep amber hue. Its deep floral, woody flavor is balanced by a subtle, pleasant bitterness, and the honey has a tannic finish thanks to its high mineral content. We were also impressed by its slick, glossy consistency, which is perfect for dissolving the honey into more assertive black teas or drizzling it over robust aged cheeses.
Le Bon Magot Spiced Raisin Marmalata
Le Bon Magot's raisin preserves are a careful balance of sweet and savory, featuring a woody, earthy aroma and dried-fruit depth punctuated by bright bursts of flavor when you bite into the raisins. This marmalata is flavored with an elegant version of ras el hanout, the classic North African spice blend made with cardamom, cumin and cinnamon. The producer uses dried rose petals for added complexity, while smoked cinnamon and a touch of chili impart a lingering warmth.
Le Bon Magot Lemon-Sultana Marmalata
Inspired by the flavors of the Silk Road, Le Bon Magot's small-batch artisanal marmalades have an astounding depth of flavor. These bright, well-rounded preserves have a strong, floral saffron flavor up front, without an overwhelming aroma; earthy anise notes of caraway and rich honey round out the marmalata, giving it complexity and balance. The sweet-tart quality of the sultanas—a type of golden raisin—is reinforced by verjus, an acidic juice pressed from unripe grapes, while thin ribbons of lemon zest add layers of tart, bright flavor.
Griottines (Morello Cherries in Liqueur)
French company Griottines uses a proprietary blend of brandy and kirsch—a clear liqueur distilled from whole cherries—to make these intensely flavored yet balanced cocktail cherries. They have a wonderful warm flavor and almond-like aroma that complements and rounds out the tartness of the fruit; cherries and almonds actually come from the same botanical family, and the cherry pits used to make kirsch impart a complex almond flavor that adds depth to Griottines. Unlike other cocktail cherries that taste only of sugar, these cherries retain a vibrant fruitiness—no doubt in part because the company macerates its cherries within six hours of when they are hand-picked off the branch. And because the cherries are sorted and selected by hand, you can be sure of a high-quality product, with whole, intact fruits that are perfect for garnishing your favorite cocktail or dessert.
#changethewayyoucook
