Butter left exposed to the air in your refrigerator will turn sour quickly, picking up off flavors. This lovely Japanese porcelain and bamboo butter container seals tight enough to prevent your butter from absorbing off odors in the refrigerator. The angular, compact shape won’t command too much space on the shelf, and both the bamboo and porcelain are easy to wipe clean. Take your pick of crisp white or glossy black.

We strongly encourage grinding whole spices fresh for your recipes. Sure, it’s an extra step, but the flavor boost is transformative. That’s why we designed a Ratchet Grinder with Kuhn Rikon and these accompanying stacking spice jars, which snap onto the bottom of the spice mill for less mess and easy storage. These 3-tablespoon containers are just the right size for holding a small amount of spice without letting it go stale. We also love the containers for transporting small amounts of spices and seasonings in our lunch or picnic containers. A desk lunch will never be boring again.

The gritty texture of Skeppshult's hand-held grinder makes it easier to coarsely grind spices and is designed so ingredients stay in a concentrated area for efficient crushing. The softly radiused iron base fits the hand well, and the walnut-wood top provides a better grip and looks beautiful. Weighing just over two pounds, it feels great, looks great and is a pleasure to use.

These salt cellars by French company Berard have magnetic lids that easily pop open when you need seasoning but also fit securely for storage. Choose either the gray speckled ceramic for a lid that comes off completely or the olivewood for a swivel-top mechanism. This salt box is attractive enough that we sometimes use it on the dinner table for an elegant addition that doesn’t require shaking.

DreamFarm Orlids are small glass spice jars with airtight multifunctional lids. Push on the lid’s indented latch, and the top layer of the lid pops up reveals a shaker plate divided into thirds, with three sets of holes in a wide range of sizes for all of your spices. The plate rotates easily to select the appropriate size for the spice inside the jar, and the lid can also be opened completely for scooping spices. We found the lid’s spring mechanism to be very effective, and the jars are especially durable because they’re made of shatter-resistant borosilicate glass. This set of 4 jars is stackable for easy storage; DreamFarm’s product is so cleverly designed that it won a 2020 Red Dot Design Award.

This durably built 0.9-gallon Korean container is designed for fermenting kimchi, sauerkraut or pickles and is a breeze to use. The double lid locks tightly and is effective for containing odors, while the sturdy polypropylene construction scrubs up beautifully. The inner vacuum lid sits snugly on top of the fermenting products, preventing oxygen contact, which can lead to mold growth and spoilage; it also has a small covered valve that you can unseal to vent carbon dioxide buildup during fermentation.

These waxy sheets of cotton make plastic wrap a thing of the past. Vermont-based Bee’s Wrap makes its product with beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin for a washable and reusable alternative to plastic wrap—they’re completely compostable too. We like that these seal remarkably tightly over containers of all sizes (better than plastic wrap) and even portions of fruits and vegetables or cookies and pastries. To clean, use a mild detergent and room temperature water (hot water will melt the wax and affect long-term durability). If the wraps get too cold and won’t seal properly, simply crumble up, using the warmth of your hands to soften.

These stylish bread bags are a must have for any home baker or loaf lover, as they’ll keep homemade and artisanal breads sliceable and tasty for around four days. Made from 100% linen, the bag’s fabric helps to regulate moisture—keeping crusts crisp and centers tender without becoming soggy itself. These eco-friendly pouches evoke a simple, rustic-minimalist aesthetic, so they’ll look right at home in even the most eclectic kitchens without the bulk of a decorative bread box. Based on our rigorous testing, we found that these bags will give you an extra 2-3 days of optimal crust texture over plastic bags and about five days longer overall over paper ones, plus the extra tight drawstring keeps air out and they’re generously sized to hold even your heartiest loaf. Plus, you can toss them in the washing machine.

This set includes both the 12”x12” Boule Bag made to accommodate myriad sizes and shapes while still leaving room to cinch it tightly as well as the 6”x26” Baguette Bag, perfect for everything from the skinniest ficelles to sturdy country baguettes.

More durable and eco-friendly than plastic bags, these French terry bags are designed to prolong the life of stored produce. The fabric holds just enough moisture to maintain an ideal humidity for leafy greens, carrots, green beans—you name it. They’ll last for years, and you’ll discard less wilted produce.

Indian cooks keep their most frequently used spices close at hand in a convenient container called a masala dabba. The round, stainless container, fitted with a tight lid, securely holds 7 individual storage pots. Pop the dabba’s lid and each is readily accessible—no futzing with the screw-on lids and shaker tops of most spice containers. At 5 1/2 inches across, this model is small enough to suit any kitchen and sturdy enough to last a lifetime. Feel free to add your favorite spices and spice blends. Chris keeps his stocked with basics like cumin, coriander and Aleppo pepper in addition to his go-to seasoning blends za'atar and schichimi.

SandStone and Sage's Produce Bags are made from organic cotton mesh that is sturdy, reusable and machine-washable, for a sustainable alternative to plastic produce bags. The well-made bags have reinforced double stitching for longer durability and an easy-to-use drawstring. Our favorite feature of these produce bags is the tare weight on their labels, which make it easier to properly weigh produce at the grocery store—no more paying more for the weight of your bag when buying bunches of fresh herbs or leafy greens.

Made from 100% linen by a Los Angeles-based family business, these bags are stunning and sustainable. Both potatoes, as well as onions, benefit from a dark, breathable environment. They last longer, taste fresher and are safer to eat, too. Each bag can comfortably hold about five pounds and they easily cinch shut. We much prefer these to traditional burlap since they can’t be washed and they shed too much. Plus, these eco-friendly pouches also evoke a simple, rustic-minimalist aesthetic, so they’ll look right at home in even the most eclectic kitchens.

​

A set of high-quality storage bowls is essential in any kitchen for storing prepared ingredients and leftovers. These lightweight polypropylene bowls from Dutch company Mepal nest snugly for storage, have tightly locking lids and are safe for use in the freezer and microwave. The bowls have a clean, compact design and are available in two colors: a warm berry red or elegant dark blue. With four pieces varying in size, the Mepal bowls will cover all of your food storage needs.

In restaurant kitchens, the mise en place is a chef's work station, where all of the ingredients are laid out before cooking; Professional Secrets' stainless steel set recreates this efficient setup at home. The four containers stack compactly for fridge storage, so you can prepare and store ingredients in advance. We like how the silicone lids not only provide an airtight seal but also create a nonslip surface for stacking. Along with the containers, the set includes a brushed stainless steel tray so you can keep ingredients together and transport them all at once—no more going back and forth or fumbling with bowls. And of course, they're great for storing leftovers!

Inspired by Korean stoneware dolsot bowls, traditionally used for bibimbap, these warmly colored, matte-grey porcelain bowls are just the right size for a bowl of rice, miso soup or even late-night ice cream. The snugly fitting bamboo cover keeps food warm and prevents spills during transport, as well as providing elegant visual contrast. We especially love how the lid’s simple handle serves double duty a chopstick rest when placed on the table (it’s considered rude in Chinese culture to stick chopsticks upright into your bowl). The Kkini bowls and chopstick set are produced by JIA, an importer of fine Chinese ceramics and tableware. The company, whose name means “home”, works with international designers to put a modern spin on classic Chinese designs. Try this set for your next dinner for two, with dishes like our Taiwanese Five-Spice Pork with Rice or Chicken Teriyaki Donburi.

I have tried dozens of travel mugs/thermoses, and they all have shortcomings. They are either too big or too small; the coffee is cold after an hour; the pouring mechanism is awkward, making drinking a delicate act and effective cleaning nearly impossible. The elegant Kinto Vacuum Insulated Travel Tumbler solves these problems and more. It is not only aesthetically appealing but also smartly designed. There are two tops—the inner top allows one to drink coffee like a normal human while also keeping it hot. (There isn’t a spout, per se, but rather a narrow circular opening that directs a good flow of coffee so you don’t have to slurp!) And if you use the outer screw-top lid, this thermos won’t leak if you put it in a knapsack or car. Finally, the diameter is just right for picking up comfortably, even with smaller hands. Simple. Divine.